Layers of a Tropical Rainforest

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Layers of a Tropical Rainforest

• Powerpoint Presentation
• By
• Becky L. Posey

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Tropical Rainforest Strata

• Forest Floor
• Understory
• Canopy
• Emergents

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Forest Floor

• The sunlight cannot reach through the top
  vegetation creating a dark, warm and moist
  climate
• You walk upon a layer of brown leaves decaying
• Why do you think this rotting layer of vegetation
  rots so quickly?
• How do the decayed plants help the rainforest?
• What animals will you find here?

4
Understory

• This layer is found between the canopy and the
  forest floor!
• Very little light reaches this layer creating a
  cool and dark atmosphere.
• With so little light what plants can grow here?
• What type of animals are found in this layer?

5
Canopy

• You are now 65 to 130 feet up in the trees!
• Surrounding you is a thick vegetation of plant
  life!
• With the abundance of plants there are many
  animals living in this roof of the rainforest!

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Emergent Layer

• We have reached the very top of the trees
  bringing us 200-270 feet above the ground!
• The sunlight is cast directly upon this layer of
  vegetation
• What animals would you find in this habitat so
  high above the ground?

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Rainforest People

• People have been living within the rainforest for
  over 40,000 years!
• Based on what we have learned, how do you think
  people live in such an ecosystem?
• How do the natives make shelters?
• What do they eat and how do they get such food?

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Animal Trivia

• Okay, lets see how much you remember!
• What layer of the rainforest would you find a
• Toucan
• Macaw
• Boa Constrictor
• Sloth
• Spider Monkey
• Tree Snail
• Morpho Butterfly

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Plant Trivia

• You did great! This may be a little more tricky!
  
• What layer would you find these plants?
• Dead wood leaves
• Buttresses
• Stilt Roots
• Epiphytes
• Lianas

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Bibliography

• Clipart Courtesy of Soleil Software Kids
  Domain _at_ http//www.kidsdomain.com/clip/
• Background Courtesy of Helens Images _at_ Flaming
  Text.com http//www.flamingtext.com/backgrounds/
  helentr/gen/border.html
• Dorros, A. (1990). Rain Forest Secrets. New
  York Scholastic.
• Cunningham, A. (1993). Rainforest Wildlife.
  New York Scholastic.
• Learning About Rainforest. (n.d.). Retrieved
  November 18, 2001, from http//www.srl.caltech.edu
  /personnel/drubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www.whlayer
  s.html