Tropical rainforests

• What are the learning objectives for tropical rainforests?

  Characteristics, interdependence, and adaptations
• What are the characteristics of tropical rainforests?

  • High biodiversity with many animal species
  • Indigenous people adapt by hunting, farming, and fishing
  • Evergreen trees to utilize the growing season
  • Dense vegetation with little light reaching the forest floor
  • Presence of epiphytes that grow on other plants
  • Poor soil fertility due to heavy rain
  • Surface nutrients from decayed leaf fall
• How many animal species do rainforests contain compared to other ecosystems?

  More than any other ecosystem
• Why are most trees in tropical rainforests evergreen?

  To take advantage of the continual growing season
• What is the typical height of trees in tropical rainforests?

  Trees are very tall
• What is the light condition at the forest floor of a rainforest?

  Very little light reaches the forest floor
• What are epiphytes?

  Plants that grow on other living plants
• Why is the soil in tropical rainforests not very fertile?

  Heavy rain washes away nutrients
• What is the average temperature range in tropical rainforests?

  20 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Why is rainfall high in tropical rainforests?

  Sun's energy is intense near the equator
• How much rainfall do tropical rainforests receive annually?

  Around 2,000 millimeters per year
• What does interdependence mean in the context of tropical rainforests?

  • All parts of the ecosystem depend on each other
  • Changes in one part affect the entire system
• How do sucropia trees and azteca ants demonstrate interdependence?

  Sucropia trees provide food and shelter for ants
• What do azteca ants do for sucropia trees?

  They fight off other insects
• What are some adaptations of plants in tropical rainforests?

  • Lianas climb trees to reach sunlight
  • Tall and thin tree trunks for sunlight access
  • Smooth bark for easy water flow
  • Drip tips on leaves for water runoff
  • Buttress roots for support
  • Epiphytes obtain nutrients from air and water
• What are lianas?

  Woody vines that climb trees
• Why do tree trunks in rainforests tend to be tall and thin?

  To allow trees to reach sunlight
• What is the purpose of smooth bark on rainforest trees?

  To allow water to flow down easily
• What are drip tips on rainforest plants?

  Pointy tips that allow water runoff
• What are buttress roots?

  Large roots that support tall trees
• How do epiphytes obtain nutrients?

  From air and water, not soil
• What are some adaptations of animals in tropical rainforests?

  • Sloths use camouflage and move slowly
  • Spider monkeys have long limbs for climbing
  • Flying frogs glide between plants
  • Toucans have large bills for reaching fruit
• How does a sloth avoid predators?

  By using camouflage and moving slowly
• What adaptation helps spider monkeys in the rainforest?

  Long strong limbs for climbing
• How does the flying frog glide from plant to plant?

  With fully webbed hands and feet
• What is the purpose of a toucan's large bill?

  To reach and cut fruit from branches
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