The document discusses the structure and inhabitants of rainforests. It describes the four layers of a rainforest: the emergent layer consisting of the tallest trees up to 250 feet tall, the canopy layer that forms the primary cover up to 150 feet, the understory layer below receiving only 2-5% of sunlight, and the forest floor with few plants. Different plants and animals inhabit each layer, including sloths, jaguars, poison dart frogs, chameleons, toucans and more. The largest rainforests are located in the Amazon River Basin, Congo River Basin, and throughout Southeast Asia, though they can be found all over the tropics.

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/_alby2_/250121818/

2. The largest
rainforests located in:
•Amazon River Basin
(South America)
•Congo River Basin
(western Africa)
•throughout
southeast Asia.
•Rainforests are found
all over the world
•Most found in tropics
http://kids.mongabay.com/images/World_map-countries.jpg

3. • There are 4 layers in
the rainforest
– Emergent Layer
– Canopy Layer
– Understory Layer
– Forest Floor
• Different animals and
plants at each level
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38485387@N02/3573173718/

4. • Tallest layer
• More sun than any
other layer
• Made up of tall, wide
trees
– Trees from 130 to 250
feet tall
– Trees have waxy leaves
• Very windy and very
warm
Dendrocnide excelsa (Stinging Tree) in Bunya Mountains
National Park-Australia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgerus/3169869483/

5. • Primary layer of
rainforest
• Rises to 150 feet
• Thick, woody vines
called lianas found in
this layer
• Plants grow on the
trees
– Use water and sun
unique to canopy layer
– Orchids, lichens, ferns
mosses

6. • Receives only 2-5%
of the sunlight
available to the
canopy
• Made up of vines,
smaller trees, ferns
and palms and small
bushes
• Poor soil with few
nutrients for plants

7. • Very dark
• Almost no plant life
• Decay happens very
quickly
• Lots of large tree
roots
• Many large animals,
frogs, and insects
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/2184687964/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiccked/131259990/

8. Sloths are slow moving
mammals that live in trees
Jaguars are the largest
of South Americas big cats
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prosper973/3262053975/

9. Poison Dart Frogs
• Very brightly colored
• Carry eggs and
tadpoles on their
backs
• Very poisonous
• Eat ants, termites,
and beetles
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zrimshots/137815198/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ucumari/1071599095/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelrusinski/235342925/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29714021@N04/2920469244/

10. Chameleon
• 160 different species
• Can move eyes
independently
• Chameleons change
colors and often
blend in
• Eat insects
• Live in the trees and
move slowly

11. Toucan
• Known for large,
colorful bill
• Can eat fruit and
insects
• Live in flocks of
multiple toucans
• Nest in tree holes
• Females lay 2 to 4
eggs each year

12. Rainforests are
important because they:
• are the home of many
plants and animals
• protect against flood,
drought, and erosion
• Help provide oxygen
• Source of foods and
medicines
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anguskirk/2736673076/

13. Works Cited
"Animals of the Rainforest-Sloth." Welcome to Space Radiation Lab, Caltech.
Web. 02 Mar. 2010.
<http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/animals/slothpage.html>.
"Life in the rainforest - Emergent." MSET Ramapo College. Web. 02 Mar. 2010.
<http://mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/d/dispenza_l/web_design/rainforests_final/emergent_layer/emerge
nt_layer.htm>.
"Poison Dart Frogs, Poison Dart Frog Pictures, Poison Dart Frog Facts – National Geographic." Animals,
Animal Pictures, Wild Animal Facts – National Geographic. Web. 01 Mar. 2010.
<http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/poison-frog.html>.
Tropical Rainforest Information for Kids. Web. 02 Mar. 2010. <http://kids.mongabay.com/>.
"Types of Chameleons - Chamaeleonidae Family - Chameleon Facts." Reptile Knowledge - Reptile
Information - Snakes, Lizards, Turtles. Web. 01 Mar. 2010.
<http://www.reptileknowledge.com/squamata/chamaeleonidae.php>.
"The Understorey." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 02 Mar. 2010.
<http://library.thinkquest.org/27257/st4.html>.
"Where are Rainforests? - EnchantedLearning.com." ENCHANTED LEARNING HOME PAGE.
Web. 01 Mar. 2010.
<http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/rainforest/Where.shtml>.