The Rainforest
Description/ Characteristics
The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in a region of warmth. An average of 50 to 260 inches (125 to 660 cm.) of rain fall yearly.
The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F (34 °C) or drops below 68 °F (20 °C); average humidity is between 77 and 88%; rainfall is often more than 100 inches a year. Almost all rain forests lie near the equator.
Rainforests now cover less than 6% of Earth's land surface. Scientists estimate that more than half of all the world's plant and animal species live in tropical rain forests. Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen.
There are four very distinct layers of trees in a tropical rain forest because the different layers support different things. These layers are the emergent, upper canopy, understory, and forest floor.
The soil is very fertile and moist.
The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F (34 °C) or drops below 68 °F (20 °C); average humidity is between 77 and 88%; rainfall is often more than 100 inches a year. Almost all rain forests lie near the equator.
Rainforests now cover less than 6% of Earth's land surface. Scientists estimate that more than half of all the world's plant and animal species live in tropical rain forests. Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen.
There are four very distinct layers of trees in a tropical rain forest because the different layers support different things. These layers are the emergent, upper canopy, understory, and forest floor.
The soil is very fertile and moist.
Climatograph
![Picture](/uploads/8/8/0/0/8800443/3906488.gif)
This climatograph compares rainfall and temperature. It gets quite a bit of rain, but around August is its dry season. The average temperature is around 80 and stays about the same year round.
Animal Adaptations
Animals need to be able to climb or fly (usually) since there is so much diversity (and food) in the trees. Claws, wings, and agility can assist with this. Some animals need to hunt as predators. In this case, claws and teeth help greatly. Others run, fly, or blend into the environment.
Some animals in the rainforest:
1. The sloth
Some animals in the rainforest:
1. The sloth
2. Golden Lion Tamarin (pictured below)
3. Bengal Tiger (pictured below)
4. Chimpanzee
5. Kinkajou
5. Kinkajou
Plant Adaptations
Plant species need to be able to compete with other plants for nutrients and sunlight. This can be clinging to other trees, being tall, or thriving in shade.
Some Plant Species:
1. Bengal Bamboo (pictured below)
Some Plant Species:
1. Bengal Bamboo (pictured below)
2. Bougainvillea (pictured below)
3. Durian
4. Strangler Figs
5. Jambu
4. Strangler Figs
5. Jambu
Keystone Species- Flying Foxes
![Picture](/uploads/8/8/0/0/8800443/6725202.jpg?282)
Flying foxes play an important ecological role by pollinating and speading the seeds of the Durian tree and other trees. The bats also pollinate many seeds, plant other seeds by dispersing them in their droppings, and are depended on by many species. A large number of deforested areas are being reforested; this is very important for other species, since many tropical animals are reluctant to venture into open spaces. Even humans can not reforest areas as quickly and easily as these unique bats can.
Indicator Species- The sloth
![Picture](/uploads/8/8/0/0/8800443/2263622.jpg)
Since sloths don't live anywhere else, their health in the rainforest is very important. They are quite sensitive animals, also. If the sloths are happy, healthy, and abundant, usually so is the rainforest.
K-Strategist- The Harpy Eagle
![Picture](/uploads/8/8/0/0/8800443/4256119.jpg)
The harpy eagle eagle weighs on average, 18.4 lbs. These birds are monogamous. Usually, the female lays 2 eggs, but one dies or doesn't hatch. The living chick is cared for by its parents for about one year. The female usually has one bird every two to three years to raise. They live between 25 and 35 years.
R-Strategist - Collared Aracari
![Picture](/uploads/8/8/0/0/8800443/3154130.jpg)
These birds are very colorful. They often live in flocks and have 3 or more eggs at a time. The incubation period is about 2 weeks. They don't live particularly long or get very big. They eat mainly fruits.
Environmental Problems/ Threats
Deforestation is the biggest threat to the rainforest. It destroys food sources, habitats, and pollutes the environment. Many exotic animals are also being overhunted (especially for medicine in China). This is hurting the entire food web because of the top predators that are being hunted.