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Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest

Miss. Wyman’s Presentation- 8th Grade Science

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Where do you find Tropical Where do you find Tropical Rain Forests? Rain Forests? They are mostly located by the equator (the line that cuts our planet They are mostly located by the equator (the line that cuts our planet

into 2 halves) into 2 halves)

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What makes up a What makes up a Rainforest?Rainforest?

Tropical rainforests Tropical rainforests are very wet places, they are close are very wet places, they are close to the equator and get lots of sunlight. to the equator and get lots of sunlight.

The temperatures are almost always high and this The temperatures are almost always high and this makes them an ideal place for trees to grow. makes them an ideal place for trees to grow.

Rainforest trees are very different from trees of the Rainforest trees are very different from trees of the temperate forests. In the rainforest, trees grow to temperate forests. In the rainforest, trees grow to gigantic sizes. gigantic sizes.

They are supported by the trunk that help to stabilize They are supported by the trunk that help to stabilize them in the shallow forest soils. them in the shallow forest soils.

Plants and vines grow on the tree trunks and provide Plants and vines grow on the tree trunks and provide food for herbivorous animals.food for herbivorous animals.

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Layers of the Rainforest

•There are 4 layers in the rain forest

•Emergent Layer

•Canopy Layer

•Understory

•Forest Floor

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ClimateClimate

It is very humid because of all the rainfallIt is very humid because of all the rainfall It is located very close to the equator which It is located very close to the equator which

means it is very warm all the time.means it is very warm all the time. The average temperature is 77°Fahrenheit The average temperature is 77°Fahrenheit The can on average have up to 100 inches The can on average have up to 100 inches

of rainfall per yearof rainfall per year Because of all the rain it has tons of plant lifeBecause of all the rain it has tons of plant life

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Animals found in the Animals found in the RainforestRainforest

Anaconda:Anaconda:  The anaconda lives in the swamps and rivers.    The anaconda lives in the swamps and rivers.  They also climb trees.  Adults can get as big as 20 feet long.  They also climb trees.  Adults can get as big as 20 feet long.  Anacondas are good swimmers.  They have scales and can Anacondas are good swimmers.  They have scales and can swim quickly. They kill their prey by constricting (squeezing) swim quickly. They kill their prey by constricting (squeezing) and drowning. and drowning.

Blue and Gold Macaw:Blue and Gold Macaw:  This member of the parrot family   This member of the parrot family resides in South America.  They live in the forest canopy where resides in South America.  They live in the forest canopy where they search for fruit.  Their beaks are designed to peck at the they search for fruit.  Their beaks are designed to peck at the fruit and crush the seeds and nuts fruit and crush the seeds and nuts

ChimpanzeesChimpanzees: Chimpanzees are part of the ape family. They : Chimpanzees are part of the ape family. They have long arms and legs and swing from branch to branch in have long arms and legs and swing from branch to branch in the canopy of the rain forest.  They do not have tails. (Monkeys the canopy of the rain forest.  They do not have tails. (Monkeys have tails, but apes do not)  They eat fruit and nuts.  They use have tails, but apes do not)  They eat fruit and nuts.  They use twigs as tools to dig for food. twigs as tools to dig for food.

FrogsFrogs: Not all frogs are green.  Poison dart frogs come in many : Not all frogs are green.  Poison dart frogs come in many colors to ward off their enemies.  The poison from these frogs colors to ward off their enemies.  The poison from these frogs can kill its predators.can kill its predators.

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Animals cont.Animals cont. GorillasGorillas:  Gorillas are part of the ape family.  They eat plants and fruit.  :  Gorillas are part of the ape family.  They eat plants and fruit. 

Gorillas amble around the forest floor using their feet and knuckles.  They can Gorillas amble around the forest floor using their feet and knuckles.  They can move quickly for a short distance. move quickly for a short distance.

Iguana:Iguana:  Iguanas are a type of lizard.  They live in the rain forests.  They live   Iguanas are a type of lizard.  They live in the rain forests.  They live along the banks of the rivers and in tree branches.  They are usually a  green along the banks of the rivers and in tree branches.  They are usually a  green to gray color.  They are herbivores. to gray color.  They are herbivores.

Leopards:Leopards: Leopards are part of the cat family.  They can climb trees and Leopards are part of the cat family.  They can climb trees and move swiftly.  They often pounce on their prey from the trees above.  move swiftly.  They often pounce on their prey from the trees above.  

ParrotsParrots:  They are many varieties of parrots in the rain forest.  Not all rain :  They are many varieties of parrots in the rain forest.  Not all rain forests have the same species.  Parrots have strong beaks that help them forests have the same species.  Parrots have strong beaks that help them crack the hard nuts and seeds they eat.  The cracking of these seeds allows crack the hard nuts and seeds they eat.  The cracking of these seeds allows some to fall to the forest floor and the seeds then begin to grow, helping to some to fall to the forest floor and the seeds then begin to grow, helping to replenish the rain forest.  replenish the rain forest.  

PorcupinesPorcupines:  Porcupines live on the forest floor.  They have very sharp :  Porcupines live on the forest floor.  They have very sharp spines that protect them from their enemies. spines that protect them from their enemies.

Sloth:Sloth: The sloth has very strong claws to help it cling to tree branches.  The The sloth has very strong claws to help it cling to tree branches.  The sloth is a very slow moving animal.  It often takes a day to climb up and down sloth is a very slow moving animal.  It often takes a day to climb up and down a tree. The sloth often sleeps hanging upside down, using his firm grip to keep a tree. The sloth often sleeps hanging upside down, using his firm grip to keep from falling. from falling.

Check it out!Check it out!

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Plant Life in the Plant Life in the RainforestRainforest

Bamboo:Bamboo:  Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.    Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.  They can grow 6-15 inches a day.  They can grow as tall as 120 feet .  They can grow 6-15 inches a day.  They can grow as tall as 120 feet .  Bamboo, although hard like wood, is actually a member of the grass Bamboo, although hard like wood, is actually a member of the grass family. Bamboo is used in the tropics to build houses, rafts, and family. Bamboo is used in the tropics to build houses, rafts, and bridges. bridges. 

Banana PlantsBanana Plants: The banana plant is grown all over the tropics for its : The banana plant is grown all over the tropics for its fruit. Bananas grow in bunches. fruit. Bananas grow in bunches. 

FernsFerns:  Ferns are spore producing plants.  Most grow in damp, shady :  Ferns are spore producing plants.  Most grow in damp, shady places, but some grow in dry soil and rocks.  Some are air plants that places, but some grow in dry soil and rocks.  Some are air plants that grow on trees.  Ferns come in a variety of sizes, some are very small grow on trees.  Ferns come in a variety of sizes, some are very small and others can be large bushes.  and others can be large bushes.  

HibiscusHibiscus:  There are many different species of hummingbirds in the :  There are many different species of hummingbirds in the rain forests.  They are important because they help pollinate flowers rain forests.  They are important because they help pollinate flowers like the hibiscus. like the hibiscus.

Lianas:Lianas: Lianas are climbing plants.  They climb the canopy in search Lianas are climbing plants.  They climb the canopy in search of light.  They wrap around branches and link from tree to tree.  Lianas of light.  They wrap around branches and link from tree to tree.  Lianas send roots that hang in midair. These roots spread when they hit the send roots that hang in midair. These roots spread when they hit the ground and help support other climbing plants. ground and help support other climbing plants.

PalmsPalms: There are many varieties of palm trees. They now can be : There are many varieties of palm trees. They now can be found around the world. They produce a fruit called coconuts. The found around the world. They produce a fruit called coconuts. The palms grow along the shores of the tropics.palms grow along the shores of the tropics.

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Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

Rain forests cover less than 6% of the earth's total land surface

Rainforests are home for up to three-fourths of all known species of plans and animals

Rain forests have three to four different levels:

1/3 of all the birds in the world live in rainforests

Frogs in the rainforest are very bright and shiny

A rainforest can have more ants, in weight and numbers, than anything else

30 million species of plants and animals liver in the world's rainforests

Two thirds of the world's plants are found in the rainforest

Thundershowers, on average, occur 200 out of 365 days a year which creates a very humid atmosphere

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Why save the Rain Why save the Rain Forest?Forest?

Almost half of the drugs give by doctors that are used in the USA come Almost half of the drugs give by doctors that are used in the USA come from rainforest plants. from rainforest plants.

Children with leukemia are treated with a drug from a rainforest flower. Children with leukemia are treated with a drug from a rainforest flower.

Heart disease are treated with some medicines made from rainforest Heart disease are treated with some medicines made from rainforest plants.plants.

Burning the forest adds to the greenhouse effect. Burning the forest adds to the greenhouse effect.

Without the rainforest to soak up rain and release it slowly, floods and Without the rainforest to soak up rain and release it slowly, floods and droughts become more common. droughts become more common.

Many species of birds, animals, and plants will not be able to find the Many species of birds, animals, and plants will not be able to find the right conditions they need in order to live, and they will become extinct. right conditions they need in order to live, and they will become extinct.

PicturesPictures

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How to help the Rain How to help the Rain ForestForest

The most important thing you can do is learn about what a rainforest is, how it The most important thing you can do is learn about what a rainforest is, how it works, and how unique it is. works, and how unique it is.

Recycling is the easiest thing you could do. If you have bottles or cans, try to bring Recycling is the easiest thing you could do. If you have bottles or cans, try to bring them to your local recycling center them to your local recycling center

Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can help save rainforests. help save rainforests.

Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down. have been cut down.

Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the

environment environment

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Check out these site!Check out these site!

Rainforest PicturesRainforest Pictures VideoVideo How you can helpHow you can help