The Tropical Rainforest

The Tropical Rainforest By Jeni and Julia

The Beautiful Rainforest The rainforest is beautiful and an amazing place to visit. There are many species of plant and animals. The rainforest is a very fascinating and interesting place to visit. Unfortunately our beautiful rainforest is being cut down. The rainforest is covered with things people didn’t discover and can provide us with cures for cancers. Nearly 50% percent of our animals rely on our rainforest to provide them homes and food. Read on to find out more!!!

The rainforest Rainforests are one of our Earth’s beautiful treasures. Rainforests are found in the tropics, near the equator. In this region the sun is very strong and shines about every day all year long making the climate warm and stable. The average temperature is 2 0 degrees – 24 degrees celsius. Although the rainforest only covers 2% of our Earth’s surface they are homes of about 50% percent of the plants and animals of our Earth. Rain forests receive at least 80 inches of rain per year. DID YOU KNOW!!!!!! Americans use 50 million tons of paper per year, consuming more than 850 million trees. Everyday about 50 – 100 species of animals and plants become extinct.

Where are Rainforests Found? Although the rainforest only covers 2% of our Earth’s surface they are homes of about 50% percent of the plants and animals of our Earth. Rain forests receive at least 80 inches of rain per year. Brazil, Indonesia, Peru, Indonesia, Bolivia, Mexico and India are the countries with the largest amount of rain forests. Rain forests are interesting places to visit. They protect us against floods droughts and erosion. They are homes to lots of species of plants and animals.

Images of our Beautiful RAINFORESTS

The biotic and abiotic factors of the rainforest Abiotic factors are parts of the nrainforest that is not alive. Biotic factors are parts of the rainforest that are alive. The abiotic factors are sunlight, climate, weather and precipitation. The abiotic factors are very important because if not enough of these the plants and animals can die. The Biotic factors are plants, animals [both hervibore and carnivore] and insects. With too much of one biotic factor the others will be affected.

Native Plants 

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There are over 20,000 known species and orchids are especially common in moist tropical regions. Although temperate orchids usually grow in the soil, tropical orchids are more often epiphytes which grow on trees. Bromeliads are related to the pineapple family. Their thick, waxy leaves form a bowl shape in the centre for catching rainwater. Some bromeliads can hold several gallons of water and are miniature ecosystems in themselves providing homes for several creatures including frogs and their tadpoles, salamanders, snails, beetles and mosquito larvae. Those that die decompose and furnish the plant with nutrients. One bromeliad was found to contain several small beetles, crane flies, earwigs, a frog, a cockroach, spiders, fly larvae, a millipede, a scorpion, woodlice and an earthworm! Most rainforest soil is very poor with all the nutrients available largely remaining at surface level. Because of this rainforest trees have very shallow roots. Some very tall trees have developed ways of obtaining much needed additional support by forming buttressed roots, which grow out from the base of the trunk sometimes as high as 15 ft above the ground. These extended roots also increase the area over which nutrients can be absorbed from the soil. Mangrove rainforest trees require a different kind of support system. Mangroves grow in wet, muddy soil at the water's edge which can be subject to tides and flooding. As a means of support they develop several aerial pitchfork-like extensions from the trunk which grow downwards and anchor themselves in the soil trapping sediment which helps to stabilize the tree. Saprophytes are the organisms that act as the rainforests decomposers, competing with the heavy rainfall which constantly washes away nutrients on the forest floors.

Native Animals  

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Orangutan The Orangutan lives on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia. The Orangutan eats tropical fruit and also leaves, bark and insects at times Gorilla Gorillas are found in West Central Africa mostly in Zaire, Rwanda, and along the Congo River. Gorillas eat mostly leaves, fruit and bark. Bengal tigers Bengal tigers can be found in southeast Asia in parts of India, China, Bangladesh and Indonesia as well as other southeast Asian countries. Bengal Tigers' diets consist of antelopes, boars, monkeys, pigs, birds and occasionally elephants.

People that live in the Rainforest The native people that lived in the rainforest are called Penans. They are located in Borneo. They are nomadic which means they don’t have a specific home. They live with what the rainforest provides them. They follow the blossoming sago palms for sago palms are their main source of food.

Competition of the Rainforest The rainforest is filled with competition and cooperation. Most plants compete on who’s going to get the most sunlight because with all the canopies and trees not every plant gets enough sunlight so they try to grow taller and taller. Sometimes the forest floor is bare because there isnt enough sunlight. Getting light is only half the story, they also compete in who’s going to get enough minerals in the soil, with the heavy rain the minerals in the soil are washed away. Coorperation please add.

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Threats to the Rainforest 

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Deforestation People cut down trees in the rainforest for supplies and land. Lets look at human population growth, we need more food and land. Unfortunately once cleared the soil loses its nutrients and more land is to be cleared. Also trees are needed for wooden supplies. Global Warming Global Warming is a problem to everyone including the rainforest. Global Warming is changing our climates. Climate change is one threat from Global Warming but climate change means changing rainfall patterns which affects our rainforest.

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