Tropical Rainforest
By: Cassidy Robinson
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainsforests are all over the world, like in South America, in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America. The temperature in a rain forest rarely get higher than 93 degrees Fahrenheit or below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The average humidity is between 77 and 88%. In the Tropical rainforest it rains about 60-200 inches a year. Rainforests cover less than 6% of the Earth's land surface. There has been no report of a fear of climate change in the Tropical Rainforest. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 tree species in 2 1/2 acre area in South America. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees. Tropical rainforests produce about 40% of Earth's oxygen. About 1/4 of all the medicines we use come from rainforest plants. Leaving the Tropical Rainforest you way want to visit the Tropical Savanna, to see what it has to offer. The Savanna is just like tropical rainforests, especially in climate change. For example, the climate goes from cool and dry to hot and dry then warm and wet. The biggest threat to the Tropical Rainforest is man, this is because of the cutting down of trees. About 3 to 6 million frees in Tropical Rainforests are cut down and used for timber and logging. The Tropical Rainforest plays a important part in the Earth's climate. Tropical Rainforests are important because it is the home of half of the species and plants on Earth. Lastly, the Tropical Rainforest is important to help reduce the effects of worldwide climate change. When traveling to the tropical rainforest bring some long pants, a poncho, long socks, mosquito repellent, and a fan.
Biotic vs. Abiotic
Abiotic:
- Sunlight
- Soil
- Water
- Rocks
- Weather
- Precipitation
- Humidity
Biotic:
- Rubber trees
- Bamboo trees
- Sloth
- Lemurs
- Bromeliads
- Jaguar
- Pitcher Plants
Pictures of Tropical Rainforests
A Random Tropical Rainforest
South America Rainforest
South America Rainforest
Animals In The Rainforest
Some animals you can find in the Tropical Rainforests are:
- Anaconda
- Anoa
- Baboon
- Bearded Dragon
- Chameleon
- Civet
- Death Adder
- Dhole
- Echidna
- Elephant
Endangered Animals
- Bengal Tiger ( South East Asia)
- Javan Langur ( Indonesia)
- Indian Elephant ( India and South Asia)
- Great Green Macaw ( Central America)
Plants in Tropical Rainforests
There are many different varieties of plants in rain forests like:
- Carnauba Palm- They are fruit and can be eaten but also the wood can be used for building. It's known for it's spruce wax that is used in car polishes, lipstick, and soap.
- Bromeliads- These plants attaches to the host tree wrapping it's roots around its branches. Birds and drink can drink from this plant, tadpoles grow, and insects lay their eggs.
- Epiphytes- These plants hold water and nutrients, they have no roots in the ground they grow on top of other plants.
- Corpse Flower( Rafflesia Arnoldii)- These plants attract flies with their "rotting flesh" smell and those flies help pollinate the flower.
- Rattan Palm- These plants are not strong enough to support themselves. So they climb on other trees and grow toward the light. These plants are also used in furniture construction.
- Bucket Orchid- Attracts male bees for pollination while getting pollinated.
- Rubber Tree- These trees are harvested for latex. There are over 1.9 million rubber trees growing in the Amazon rain forest.
- Pitcher Plants- These plants prey on insects, they grow where the soil is low in nutrients.
- Durian- This is a strange looking fruit with a very strong scent.
Examples of Symbiotic Relationships
Mutualism- The leaf cutter ant protect fungi from pests and mold and feeds it with small pieces of leaves. The ants keep their larvae in the fungi which protects and feeds it.
Commensalism- Bromeliads grow on high branches of other trees to get sunlight. It doesn't hurt the tree but allows the bromeliad to stay alive.
Parasitism- The strangler fig start growing on a branch of a tree, then it grows down and upwards to the sky. In the process of growing it's also winding around the tree, and ends up killing the tree. It kills the tree by sealing it's sunlight and root space.
Cooperation and Competition Between Animals
Cooperation:
- The Acacia ants protect the plants from insects and vines, the trees supplies the ants with food and a place to live.
Competition:
- The taller, older trees have created a shadow, so the newer trees and plants can't grow and get sunlight.
- Two monkeys are competing for fruit on a tree, while other monkeys go find a tree with less fruit.
- Toucan and other birds compete each other for foods like nuts and berries.
Recreational Activities
- Aerial Tours
- Archery
- Kayaking
- Hanging Bridge
- A Nature Walk
- A River Boat Ride
- Monkey Slide or Zip Lining
- Water Roller
- Fishing
- Fruit Farming
Interesting Sights
- Amazon Towers Hotel: At this hotel you swim with rare pink dolphins, walk through the woods, and enjoy your luxury tree house.
- Borneo Rainforest Lodge: A 5 star lodge, you gain access to the canopy walk and the Danum river.
Food Chains and Food Webs in Tropical Rainforests
Videos Showing Tropical Rainforests
Wildlife of the AMAZON - for kids
Tropical Rainforest Biome
Biblography
- "Rainforest Biomes." Rainforest Biomes. Web. 20 May 2016.
- "KDE Santa Barbara." KDE Santa Barbara. Web. 20 May 2016.