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The Rainforest. http://www.flickr.com/photos/_alby2_/250121818 /. Location. Rainforests are found all over the world Most found in tropics. The largest rainforests located in : Amazon River Basin (South America) Congo River Basin (western Africa) throughout southeast Asia. .
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The Rainforest http://www.flickr.com/photos/_alby2_/250121818/
Location • Rainforests are found all over the world • Most found in tropics • The largest rainforests located in: • Amazon River Basin (South America) • Congo River Basin (western Africa) • throughout southeast Asia. http://kids.mongabay.com/images/World_map-countries.jpg
Layers • There are 4 layers in the rainforest • Emergent Layer • Canopy Layer • Understory Layer • Forest Floor • Different animals and plants at each level http://www.flickr.com/photos/38485387@N02/3573173718/
The Emergent Layer • Tallest layer • More sun than any other layer • Made up of tall, wide trees • Trees from 130 to 250 feet tall • Trees have waxy leaves • Very windy and very warm Dendrocnideexcelsa (Stinging Tree) in Bunya Mountains National Park-Australia http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgerus/3169869483/
The Canopy Layer • Primary layer of rainforest • Rises to 150 feet • Thick, woody vines called lianas found in this layer • Plants grow on the trees • Use water and sun unique to canopy layer • Orchids, lichens, ferns mosses
The Understory • Receives only 2-5% of the sunlight available to the canopy • Made up of vines, smaller trees, ferns and palms and small bushes • Poor soil with few nutrients for plants
The Forest Floor • Very dark • Almost no plant life • Decay happens very quickly • Lots of large tree roots • Many large animals, frogs, and insects http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiccked/131259990/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/2184687964/
Rainforest Mammals Sloths are slow movingmammals that live in trees Jaguars are the largest of South Americas big cats http://www.flickr.com/photos/prosper973/3262053975/
Rainforest Frogs Poison Dart Frogs • Very brightly colored • Carry eggs and tadpoles on their backs • Very poisonous • Eat ants, termites, and beetles http://www.flickr.com/photos/ucumari/1071599095/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/zrimshots/137815198/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelrusinski/235342925/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/29714021@N04/2920469244/
Rainforest Reptiles Chameleon • 160 different species • Can move eyes independently • Chameleons change colors and often blend in • Eat insects • Live in the trees and move slowly
Rainforest Birds Toucan • Known for large, colorful bill • Can eat fruit and insects • Live in flocks of multiple toucans • Nest in tree holes • Females lay 2 to 4 eggs each year
Importance of Rainforest Rainforests are important because they: • are the home of many plants and animals • protect against flood, drought, and erosion • Help provide oxygen • Source of foods and medicines http://www.flickr.com/photos/anguskirk/2736673076/