Table Of Contents
Map of Tropical Rainforests
page 1
Introduction
page 3
Human Influences
page 4
Rainforest Animals
page 5
Rainforest Plants
page7
Map of the Tropical Rainforests
The Tropical Rainforest
The Tropical Rainforest is very humid because of all the
rain. 2,500 meters of rain fall annually. It is 25-30
degrees Celsius. The average temperature is between
70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity is between
77 and 88%. It rains about 250 cm per year. It is hot and
wet. The tropical rainforest is near the equator so the
sun is directly hitting on the lakes. So it is making
precipitation. Some of the tropical rainforests are
directly on the equator. Some of the
tropical rainforests are located in
Central America, Madagascar,
Australia and Oceania, India and some
other locations. Some physical
features are that rainforests are made
up of 25-30 meters of small trees.
Tropical Rainforests are also made up
of four different layers, each consisting plants and
animal. Some unique features are 2,500 millimeters of
rain falls. They receive almost 12 hours of sunlight
every day. A large amount of energy is stored by plants
that are then eaten by animals. This creates a more
lively and thriving ecosystem. Some vegetation in the
rainforest is Bengal bamboo, coconut trees, strangler
figs, mangrove forests and the kapok tree. The animals
in the rainforests are the African rainforest elephant,
jaguars, keel-billed toucan, poison dart frog and
orangutans.
Human Influences
The good things for humans are that many plants and organisms are found
in the tropics are useable medicines that we can benefit from. The negatives
are that extreme deforestation (the clearing of forests) has lead to the loss
of habitats of many animals, plants species, and people. We will eventually
cause the extinction of over half of the world species in a mere 25 years. If
the rainforest disappears many valuables materials also disappear. The
homes of thousands of plants, animals, and people are lost. Therefore,
people have to start working together to save the rainforest, by protecting
what remains and by planting new trees. Today very few forest people live in
traditional ways. Most have been displaced by outside settlers or forced to
give up their lifestyles by governments. The Amazon supports the native, or
indigenous, populations although these people too have been impacted by
the modern world. 50,000,000 tribal people live in the world’s rainforest.
These people depend on the forest for food and shelter. As we cut more and
more trees, we are also killing people, animals, and plants. Many native
tribes have been exterminated already because their governments failed to
protect them from logging companies, the mining companies, and the slash
and burn farmers. We should do better at keeping are forest people safe and
the forest.
Rainforest Animals The Golden Lion Tamarin
I did some research on the Golden Lion Tamarin. Did you know that an adult is only
½ of a pound? It is 8 to 14 inches and is gold, red, yellow, and orange. It lives in the
Amazon Forest. The Amazon Forest is in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It also
lives in swamp forests. It always gives birth to twins or triplets. It eats fruits,
insects, and small lizards. Its predators are hawks and other raptors, cats, and large
snakes. It has special adaptations that help it live. It has long, narrow hands to find
food in thin crevices. Another adaptation is their call. They have an ear-piercing
call to warn fellow tamarin if predators are near. Also, they have long tails to
balance on high treetops.
A baby tamarin with its mother
Bengal Tiger
I also did research on the Bengal Tiger. I learned that it is the
second biggest tiger in the world. The Siberian Tiger is the first
biggest tiger in the world. The Bengal Tiger weighs up to 575
pounds. It is broad with slender legs that helps it run really fast
and kill its prey. It lives in India, China, Siberia, and Indonesia. It is
very sneaky and stealthy so it can hunt or get away quickly without
being seen. It is a carnivore and eats boars, wild oxen, monkeys,
and a lot of other animals. The cubs start hunting at 18 months
old. The tiger has special features to help them survive. They have
black stripes to help them blend in with the tall brush and trees.
They also have sharp claws and fangs to help them protect
themselves and their offspring.
African Forest Elephant
The African forest elephant is light brown.
They are 8 feet in height, and can live up to 70
years old. An elephant’s trunk is actually a along
nose used for smelling, breathing, trumpeting, and
drinking. The trunk has about 100,000 different
muscles to help them fight. Their trunk also helps
them pick up food and plants.
They have tusks that are used for
defending themselves in a fight. The elephants live
in the rainforests in Africa. The female elephants
live in a herd with their young but
males tend to roam on their own.
They eat leaves, fruit, bark, and
grass. Their predators are the
forest tiger, people, and lions.
Bengal Bamboo
Bengal bamboo can grow up to 80 feet high. It is the shape of a cylinder and it is the
color green. Rainforest ants make small holes in the bamboo to live in the bamboo.
Bamboo can grow any time of the year. They like temperatures between 20 and 30
degrees Celsius. They can thrive in areas with very little sunlight when they are young.
You can find them in China and in Japan. The Bengal bamboo grows extremely fast which
is helpful due to the fact that as the plant grows older it needs more and more sunlight.
Growing tall fast allows it to reach more sunlight at a rapid pace.
Coffee
Coffee is an amazing plant that I researched. First, here is the description of the plant. It’s
an evergreen and can grow up to one stem or more. It can grow up to 30 feet. It’s a type of
bush or shrub. It has a grey colored bark. It can come in many types of red berries. Now
here is its role in the biome. It can grow up to 100 years old, which can make lots of food for
hibernation. Also it can be used for brown dye and coffee beans. Did you know that a goat
discovered the first amazing effects? Now time for the growing season. It grows in shade on
very warm days. It grows like corn. When a piece falls down, another tree is made. Finally
the adaptions. It leaves a bad taste so predators won’t eat it and its colors look like its
poisonous. That’s all the plant facts I have to talk about.
Picture of Coffee plant.
Kapok Tree
I researched the Kapok tree. For the description, it’s very tall, lots of colors,
an umbrella shape and can grow up to 150 ft. tall. Now for its role in the
biome. It can grow very good fruits for animals to eat. Also its leaves can be
used for great hiding spot like camouflage. Another way is that it has good
homes for animals including in the trunk of the tree. Now it’s time to learn
about growing seasons. It can grow in summer, spring, and sometimes winter
if its warm enough. Other facts about the seasons are that it sheds in dry
seasons and it can grow fruits in spring such as jumbo. Now for the last
category, Adaptions. The Kapok tree has a buttressed root system, which
helps find moisture and support for the mature tree. Broken or cut off limb
stubs heal over, a good adaption against infection. Lastly, it grows special
fruits for bugs that eat wood to eat the fruit. That’s all the things I know
about the Kapok tree.