TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
Becca Bradley 4th
Location & Climate
- You'll find a tropical rain forest in South America, South Asia, and in west Africa. One-third of rain forests are in Brazil. All rain forests lie close to the equator.
- There is an abundant amount of rain as well as smothering afternoons, which makes perfect habitats for most plants and animals. An estimated total of rainfall in one of these forests is 50 to 260 inches per year, usually getting past 100 every time!
- Temperature never really gets above 93 degrees Fahrenheit, nor below 68.
- There are few to none seasonal changes throughout the year. Although, there will be a short dry season with less rain between the months of March through May. These two seasonal changes are known to be the wet and dry season, both of these seasons have hot temperatures.
Plant Life in a Tropical Rain Forest!
- Plants in the rain forest have adapted to the strange, tropical weather a rain forest endures. These plants have to be able to absorb large amounts of water. Trees in the forest can reach up to ninety feet tall! Some plants that have adapted well in this climate are:
Bark- a tree in a temperate deciduous forest has thicker bark than one in a rain forest because thick bark limits the amount of moisture to evaporate from its trunk. In a rain forest, a tree does not have this problem since it is almost constantly raining. So, its bark is slick and thin. This is also an advantage because other plants cannot grow on it as easily.
Epiphytes- plants that grow on bark and branches of other trees so they can be higher up and receive more sunlight.
Drip Tips
Mangroves
Lianas
Ecological Concerns
- A problem that tropical rain forests are faced with is deforestation. Deforestation in tropical rain forests are severe since they are mainly located in countries that are just now developing and need wood to cook and heat, rather than a microwave or stove. Wood is also the primary source of shelter.
- Rain forests around the world produce over 40% of Earth's oxygen, which make rain forests a very important aspect to sustaining humans, and all other forms of life.
- The three-toed sloths are a super endangered species!! Their homes ARE trees and their shelter is being cut down to harvest wood, make charcoal, and create space for farms. If you look up, there is a picture of a fascinating three-toed sloth.(Sid) Another endangered species is the jaguar. Jaguars are also endangered because humans hunt them down for their magnificent fur, and just like the sloths, their habitat is being destroyed by the deadly killer: us.
ANIMAL LIFE
Competition- occurs when 2 organisms fight for the same limited resource :( :(
One example for competition in a tropical rain forest is when plants compete for sunlight in the canopy (top part of the trees that receives most sun exposure). An example of a symbiotic relationship in a rain forest is between a toucan and a tree. A trees seeds stick to the toucans feathers and as the bird flies around, the seeds disperse along the ground and plant new trees. The tree provides a home for the toucan. This relationship is mutualism.Predator/Prey Relationships- process by which one organism captures and feeds upon another organism :) :) the predator is the one that feeds and prey is the one being eaten.
- Anacondas eat Capybaras(large rodent) whole since both live in/near water
- Jaguars eat wild boar
- Toucans eat insects such as caterpillars
- Short-tailed fruit bat eats some insects
harpy eagle
Orangutan
Slender Loris
Bengal Tiger- a very sneaky and quiet animal. They sneak up on their prey and their diligence helps tremendously especially through the loud crinkling leaves and rain! Bengals are nocturnal, which makes them more feared because most other animals are sleeping and more vulnerable during the night.