rainforests

• rainforests are mainly located near the equator between tropics
• climate...

  1. hot
  2. wet
  3. humid
  4. 200mm rain
• vegetation...

  1. adapted
• soils...

  1. iron rich
  2. unfertile
  3. red
• animals...

  1. divers
  2. unique
• layers of a rainforest

  1. top canopy
  2. middle canopy
  3. lower canopy
  4. shrub layer
• the top canopy is 30-60m
• the middle canopy is 15-30m
• the lower canopy is 5-15m
• the shrub layer is less than 5m
• the top canopy has

  1. fast growing trees to capture sunlight e.g. capoc ~monkeys live here
  2. drip tip leaves so the water spills off
  3. epiphytes grow on non parasitic plants e.g. orchids
• an epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant
• middle canopy has...

  1. 80% animals live here
  2. has lianas
• a liana is a long-stemmed, herbaceous or woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight
• the lower canopy has...

  1. smaller trees
  2. lianas
• possible medicines form rainforests

  1. achiote
  2. cordoncillo
  3. lapacho
• achiote is a spiky red fruit with seeds which can be used as sun creams and insect repellents
• cordoncillo in an anaesthetic if you rub on skin or chew leaves it will become numb
• 70% of plants with anti-cancer properties exist only in the amazon
• rubber is from a rubber tree
• cocoa is from cocoa pods which are harvested and shipped to food markets
• how can deforestation be sustained

  1. selective logging
  2. ecotourism
  3. education
  4. conservation
  5. replanting
• how can deforestation be sustained

  crese
• selective logging is when only a few trees are felled meaning the soil isnt exposed and the ground has time to regenerate
• helicopter logging e.g. sarawak, malaysia
• replanting is replacing the trees with the same type of tree
• ecotourism is where there is a limited amount of visitors so there is less environmental damage like litter
• ecotourism can create job opportunities
• education means teaching alternative ways to make money and people will buy more sustainable products
• conservation is like nature reserves and natural parks
• for conservation funds can be sent from countries so businesses can invest money in exchange for rainforest conservation e.g. 2018 norway paid $70 million into brazils amazon fund
• trees have buttress roots for support
• some trees are fast growing to reach the sun light quickly
• plants have thick waxy leaves and drip tips so they are adapted to wet weather
• lianas grow on trees
• trees have smooth thick bark so water can run off
• trees drop leaves gradually so can grow all year round
• some animals have strong limbs for climbing in the canopy
• some animals have short wings meaning they can manoeuvre in trees
• things like tree frogs have suction curbs to climb