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Tropical Rainforests

Tropical Rainforests . A Guide to Understanding Rainforests. Rainforest Basics. 3 locations: Latin America, Western Equatorial Africa, South-East Asia Forest containing thousands of different species Fungi , plants, trees, animals Has been evolving over millions of years

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Tropical Rainforests

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  1. Tropical Rainforests A Guide to Understanding Rainforests

  2. Rainforest Basics • 3 locations: Latin America, Western Equatorial Africa, South-East Asia • Forest containing thousands of different species • Fungi, plants, trees, animals • Has been evolving over millions of years • Extreme diversity among all species • Hot and humid climate year round, consists of rain and sunlight • Deforestation is a major concern for rainforest’s survival (IMAX-Presents)

  3. Vertical Structure of the Rainforest • Ground Level • Forest floor, little growth and minute amount of light • Location of extreme decomposition • Understory • Layer of lower canopy, varied levels of leaves and branches • Canopy • Ceiling of tree branches and leaves, largest amount of vegetation • Function: conversion of sunlight to energy through photosynthesis • Overstory • Highest level of the rainforest, consists of trees 20 – 100 ft above the canopy layer (Pantas) http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/canopy/canopy-tour-costa-rica.jpg

  4. Deforestation • The act of cutting down trees for personal benefits • Major motivation is for economic purposes • Has a global impact on species, loss of ecosystems, loss of renewable resources, and reduction of carbon sinks (Butler) • Many federal governments have stepped in to help stop (“Preventing Pillage”) http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0901.htm

  5. “TREES”- Five Basic Steps to Saving Rainforests • TEACH others about the environment, why it is important, and what they can do to help save the rainforests. • RESTORE the damaged ecosystems by helping replant trees on land previously cut down. • ENCOURAGE others to live without harming the rainforest and environment • ESTABLISH parks to protect rainforests and wildlife • SUPPORT companies and organizations that have made a pledge to help minimize damaging effects to the environment (Butler)

  6. Animals of the Rainforest • Consists of up to 50 million species (Pantas) • Over 50% of the world’s species live in the rainforest • When deforestation occurs, animals are forced to either migrate or they die • Animals have special adaptations that enable them to live in the extreme climate • Ex. Parrots, orangutans, ocelots, lemurs, gorillas, etc. http://www.duke.edu/web/nicholas/bio217/jmz28/parrots.jpg http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/webquests_themes/animals/rainforest_animals/images/ocelot.jpg (Rainforest)

  7. Conservation Efforts • Ecotourism • Enables locals to raise money themselves by entrance fees, creating tourism jobs, utilizing accommodations and amenities by locals • Bio-prospecting fees • Giving scientists and other countries the right to use native plants and species for their own benefit without any harm, scientists and countries will give country money for compensation • Corporate sponsorships • Enabling companies and individuals to adopt parks (Butler)

  8. References • Butler, Rhett A. “How to Save Tropical Rainforests - Introduction.” Mongabay.com / A Place Out of Time: Tropical Rainforests and the Perils They Face. 9 January 2006. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/1001.htm. • IMAX Presents - Tropical Rainforest. Dir. Ben Shedd. Perf. Geoffrey Holder. Vista Point Ent, 1992. Film. • Pantas, Lee James. "About Rain Forests." Liza's Reef -Coral Reef Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://www.lizasreef.com/HOPE%20FOR%20THE%20RAIN %20FORESTS/about_rain_forests.htm> • "Preventing pillage in the rainforest." Economist 390.8620 (2009): 39. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 16 Nov. 2009. • "Rainforest." Rainforest Animals. The Animal Spot, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2009. <http://www.rainforestanimals.net/rainforest.html>.

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