BY: Angelina Spampinato and Allie Sciortino

THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST ANDDEFORESTATION

Diagram of the Tropical Rainforest:

Parts of the Tropical Rainforest:

1. Emergent Layer –These are the giant trees that have

huge mushroom-shaped crowns.–They enjoy the greatest amount of

sunlight, but MUST endure high temperatures with low humidity, and strong winds.

Parts of the Tropical Rainforest(cont.) :

2. Canopy Layer–These trees form a constricted, continuous

canopy 60-90 feet above the ground.–The branches are often covered with other

plants and connected with vines. –The canopy is an abode to 90% of the

organisms found in the rainforest.

Parts of the Tropical Rainforest(cont.) :

3. Understory –Receives only 2-15% of the sunlight that the

canopy attracts–Many popular house plants come from this

layer

Parts of the Tropical Rainforest(cont.) :

4. Forest Floor–Very little grows except plants that adapt to

very low light– It receives less than 2% of the sunlight–Fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches

decompose extremely quickly on the floor

Location:

• Covers 6% of the Earth’s surface • Located around the belt of the equator• Areas include:

– Amazon Basin – Congo and lower regions of Africa– Southeast Asia – Central America– The Queensland Coast–Madagascar

Climate:• Average temperature is more than 20 degrees

Celsius• Temperature ranges from 20-25 degrees

Celsius • Has little variation in day length throughout

the year• Has 250+ cm of rain during the year

Biological Diversity:

• Refers to all of the different kinds of life on Earth

• 50% of all species are found in the tropical rainforests

• Has provided many medicines to treat diseases

Animals:

• A wide variety that adapt to their surroundings

• Use coloring to alert predators of their poison • Camouflage is also used to avoid predators

The Capybara: Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris

• Spends much time in water • Capybaras feed on plant material, including

aquatic plants• Live in family groups • Are active at dawn and dusk

The Chimpanzee:Pan troglodytes

• Has a wide range of sounds and gestures for communication

• They eat plant material (fruit, nuts, leaves, shoots, bark), eggs, and insects

• They climb well but spend most of the time on the ground

Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens

• Primarily tree-living birds• They eat fruits and seeds• While in flight, the bird begins to beat its

wings at twice the normal speed, creating a whirring sound

Vegetation:

• Consists of the plants, jungle trees, and flowers

• Often interacts with animals, birds, and insects• Most leaves have pointed ends so the water

can drip off

Coccoloba:Coccoloba pubescens

• Referred to as “Eve’s Umbrella”

• Can grow up to 80 feet

• Has large, veined ornamental leaves

Peacock Plant:Calathea makoyana

• Well adapted to the low light of the forest floor

• The leaves of the plant fold up at night• It has striking markings on the upper surface

of the leaf

Ylang-Ylang:Cananga odorata

• Located in southeast Asia

• Can grow up to 80 feet• Leaves are used for some of the world’s most

expensive perfumes

Deforestation:

• The removal of a forests where the land is changed to a nonforest use

• Reasons– Farmland– Logging– Road building– Grazing lands– Paper

Deforestation (cont.):

• Population growth intensifies deforestation

• Displaces people of the forest

• We lose important knowledge of plants and animals

Deforestation and the Rainforest:

• Removes vegetation

• 1 ½ acres of land are lost every second

• Deforestation is used for logging, creating grazing land, and firewood

How can WE stop deforestation?:

• Advocating and participating in recycling programs

• Use less paper

• Implementing preventative legislation

• Eat less meat

• REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!!!!!

Thank you for your time

Works Cited:

• Peters, Charles M."Rain forest." World Book Advanced. World Book,2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.

• "Rainforest Animals." Rainforest Topics. MGBnet. 2002. Web. 21 October 2011

• "Rainforest Facts." Rainforest Facts. Raintree Nutrition, Inc. 20 March 2010. Web. 28 October 2011

• "Rainforest Plants." Rainforest Topics. MGBnet. 2002. Web. 21 October 2011

• Tiller, Leisa. "Tropical Rainforest Biome." Tropical Rainforest Biome. Web. 21 October 2011.