The Rainforest

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The largest rainforests located in:•Amazon River Basin (South America)•Congo River Basin (western Africa) •throughout southeast Asia.

•Rainforests are found all over the world•Most found in tropics

Location

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• There are 4 layers in the rainforest– Emergent Layer– Canopy Layer– Understory Layer– Forest Floor

• Different animals and plants at each level

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Layers

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

Dendrocnide excelsa (Stinging Tree) in Bunya Mountains National Park-Australia

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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

• 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 Understory

The Forest Floor• Very dark• Almost no plant life • Decay happens very

quickly• Lots of large tree

roots• Many large animals,

frogs, and insects

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Sloths are slow movingmammals that live in trees

Jaguars are the largest of South Americas big cats

Rainforest Mammals

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Poison Dart Frogs• Very brightly colored• Carry eggs and

tadpoles on their backs

• Very poisonous • Eat ants, termites,

and beetles

Rainforest Frogs

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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 Reptiles

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

Rainforest Birds

Rainforests areimportant because they:• are the home of many

plants and animals• protect against flood,

drought, and erosion• Help provide oxygen• Source of foods and

medicines

Importance of Rainforest

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