Tropical Ecosystems

Tropical Rain Forests

• tropical rain forests grow along the equator– an area that has a lot of rainfall and high

temperature all year– climate: average weather over a long time,

allows many plants to grow well

• rain-forest trees– grow tall– form canopy (roof)

• leaves shelter the area below, blocking most of the sunlight

• many plants and animals live high in canopy– use sunlight and open spaces

• rain forest floor home to plants that grow well in shade– plants that need lots of sun can only grow

where a tree has fallen and there is an opening in the canopy

– rotting plant material covers floor• decomposers at work

• rain forest depends on decomposing and recycling of nutrients– takes place on forest floor

• animals and plants in rain forest– great diversity: variety

• most plant and animal species than any other ecosystems on Earth

• tree top habitats for thousands of species– mammals play on sturdy tree limbs (spider

monkey, lemur) – birds nest on branches (toucans, macaws) – butterflies drink nectar from orchids that grow

on tree branches

Coral Reefs• ecosystems located in tropical climates

near equator– plenty of sunlight– warm, clean water year round– constant salinity (amount of salt in water)

• all conditions needed for coral reef to grow

• coral reef made of rocky skeletons of tiny animals called corals– live in colonies – different sizes, shapes, colors

• big, fan shaped leaf or giant brain

• coral colonies are made up of tiny soft-bodies animals called polyps– no bigger than your thumb– young colonies only have a few polyps/older

ones have millions of polyps

• coral polyps build limestone skeletons around their bodies – take calcium out of sea water

• flower-like tentacles (arms) reach out from skeletons– trap small plants/animals– sting prey– pulled into coral’s mouth– algae that lives inside skeleton also provides

nutrients

• when polyp dies - skeleton is left– another polyp moves in and adds more

limestone– coral reefs grow for many years

• holes, branches, and layers of reef places for animals to rest – some animals are bright and easy to see:

angelfish, striped butterfly fish, and sea horses– some animals are hard to see: flat flounders,

scorpion fish• each animal has it’s habitat and niche in the coral

reef ecosystem

Resources from the Tropics

• tropical rain forests and coral reefs are homes to thousands of species of organisms– found no where else on Earth

• from these organisms come hundreds of different products that people needs and use

• rain forests• wood - rain forests provide about 20% of wood used

in industry around the world• source of food - fruits, nuts, and spices• 80% of world’s food comes from plants of rain

forests• raw materials to make furniture, cooking oils, waxes,

and dyes• Medicines

• coral reefs• jewelry and other ornaments• Sponges• tropical fish

Summary

• tropical rain forests and coral reefs are ecosystems that provide habitats for a large variety of plants and animals

• provide resources found no where else on Earth