Tropical Rainforests are found on and around the Equator between the tropics
of Cancer and Capricorn. The largest area of Tropical Rainforest is in the north
of the continent South America, in countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Columbia
and Brazil. The rest of the Tropical Rainforest is in two main areas; central
Africa in countries such as Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and
the island of Indonesia in Oceania. the largest of which is the islands of
Indonesia.
plant adaptations
drip tip leaves
they allow rain to fall off of the
leaves with out breaking them
buttress roots
large roots on all sides of a shallow rooted tree or
to hold up a the bigger trees
lianas
a climbing vine that climbs up trees to reach
the light. supports other trees
epiphites
grows up another plant non
parasitically they have a head start
on other plants at getting to sunlight
saprophites
organisms that gets its nutrients from dead or
decaying organisms. they don't photosynthesis
so they can survive without sunlight
climate
HOT 25-27C all year round.
WET rainfall varies between
350mm in May to 210mm in
October
layers of the rainforest
canopy
50% of all species in the world.
Blanket of greenery. Receives
most sunlight. Dense layer of
vegetation.
emergent
The tallest trees in the Tropical
Rainforest. Usually over 40 meters
tall. 100-200 feet tall.
undercanopy
Between 50% and 20% of sunlight. Bare tree trunks.
Vines climbing the trunks in search of sunlight.
shrub
Densest plant layer. 5% of
sunlight. Large buttress roots.
forest floor
2% of sunlight. Very dark and damp. Prone to flooding.
Thin layer of decomposing leaves and dead animals-
called litter. This forms a layer of nutrients for the trees.
uses
rubber tapping
63,000 people earn a living supplying rubber to Brazil. it is
sustainable and the workers benefit because you cut out the
middle man
mineral extraction
gold, copper and diamonds can be found underneath the rainforest.
cyanide is used to extract the minerals. huge craters are left behind that are
filled with chemicals. stories of huge riches being made drive lots of people
into this industry.
farming- palm oil
50% of packed products in supermarkets contain palm oil. they
burn the rainforest down then grow palm oil trees. this reduces
the bio divercity of the land and destroys lots of habitats
cattle ranching
60% of land that is cleared is for cattle ranching.
brazil is the biggest exporter of beef in the world.it is a
multi billion dollarindustry
slash and burn
1/3 of deforestation is caused this way. 2 acres of
land is destroyed every second, so within a 100 years
we may not have any tropical rainforests
road building
the trans-American highway is 2500 miles long. it goes from
Peru's Pacific coast to Brazil's Atlantic coast brings jobs and trade
but leaves destruction in its wake.
consequences
loss of wildlife
loss of medicines
impact on tribes people
soil erosion
decrease in soil fertility
decrease in hardwood
carbon dioxide and oxygen balance
minerals and HEP
sustainable development
replanting
can only chop down 20% of
their land rather than 50.
ranchers being made to replant
up to 30% of their land
selective logging
more sustainable. less damage to
rainforest. using elephants no
machines.forest not neaded to be
cleared. machinery only used in
transport
conservation
trees need to be certified before they are
used so no logs from illegal logging are used
ecotourism
Parque Amazonia
19,000 acres along the guama river. 13,000 of the acres is rainforest. all developments
limited to 1,900 acres on open land that has already bean deforested in the 1800's. it is
20miles from Belem in Brazil, home to 1 million people. it offers big opportunities for
rainforest exploration and education. it opened its doors to the public in 1995.