Distribution of rainforests Rainforest climate Rainforest structure How have rainforests adapted to the climate? Why are rainforests importanat? Causes of deforestation Impacts of deforestation How can the rainforests be managed for sustainable development?

2. http://sciencenordic.com/past-climate-drives-
today%E2%80%99s-flora

3. Rainforest climate
Rainforest Climate. In an average year in a
tropical rain forest, the climate is very humid
because of all the rainfall, which amounts to
about 250 cm per year. The rain forest has lots
of rain because it is very hot and wet.
This climate is found near the equator.

4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosyste
ms/tropical_rainforests_rev1.shtml

6. • The arrangement of plants within a
tropical rainforest is such that there
are different layers and different
microclimates. The diagram shows
the layering of plants from the tallest
emergent trees, down to the lowest
ground flora. A sharp contrast exists
between the two extremes. For
example, the top of the forest has full
light conditions and the temperature
and humidity vary from 10-40oC and
60-90% relative humidity,
respectively.

8. Buttress roots
• Many trees have buttress
roots, which are very large
and thick roots. These roots
support the tree as it
continues to grow and they
prevent leaching (when
water floods the tree). The
enables the trees to cope
with heavy rainfall especially
during monsoon seasons.
Buttress roots also increase
the surface area of the tree
to allow more carbon dioxide
to enter for photosynthesis.

9. Drip tips
• Leaves have 'drip tips' -
this basically means that
the leaves are shaped so
water can run off them so
that unwanted bacteria
does not grow on the
leaves during the day
when it is warmest and
most humid. Some leaves
are also quite waxy, which
means water would run
off them more quickly.

10. • Height: The tallest
trees, known as
emergents, can grow up
to 40metres in order to
reach sunlight for
photosynthesis.

11. They have developed a mechanism in order
to eat insects. Venus flytraps snap shut on
any insects that land on them, where they
are then digested by the plant. Some plants
have developed flowers or leaves with
steep sides which means insects slide
down into the plant and cannot escape.
Some flowers produce a sweet nectar
which attracts insects into their trap. This
is ideal for plants who live further towards
the forest floor where there is less sunlight
for photosynthesis.

12. • Leaves have stomata (holes
where carbon dioxide enters for
photosynthesis and oxygen and
water leaves). These stomata
close during extremely hot
weather to preserve water and
stop it from leaving the plant.
This is helpful as a lot of water is
evaporated from the leaves
during day when it is hottest.
However, the environment can
also be quite humid during the
day, so stomata would then open
as there is plenty of water
avaliable. Stomata would open
during rain.

13. • Most tropical rainforest soils
relatively poor in nutrients. Millions
of years of weathering and torrential
rains have washed most of the
nutrients out of the soil. More recent
volcanic soils, however, can be very
fertile. Tropical rain forest soils
contain less organic matter than
temperate forests and most of the
available nutrients are found in the
living plant and animal material.
Nutrients in the soil are often in
forms that are not accessible by
plants.
• Constant warmth and moisture
promote rapid decay of organic
matter. When a tree dies in the
rainforest, living organisms quickly
absorb the nutrients before they
have a chance to be washed away.
When tropical forests are cut and
burned, heavy rains can quickly wash
the released nutrients away, leaving
the soil even more impoverished.

14. Tropical RainforestTemperate Deciduous Forest
52% in Vegetation 31% in Vegetation
48% in Soil 69% in Soil

15. • THEY PROVIDE A HABITAT FOR PLANTS AND
ANIMALS

16. • THEY REGULATE OUR CLIMATE

17. THEY HELP TO PREVENT SOIL
EROSION

18. THEY PROVIDE A HOME FOR
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

20. • Road Building
• Logging
• Cattle Ranching
• Hy droelectric Power
• Farming
• Mining

21. • National:
Deforestation can consume a country's only natural resource. If
deforestation is not managed in a sustainable manner a country's only
natural resource could be lost forever.
• Global:
Global Warming
Rainforest canopies absorb carbon dioxide which is a gas in the
atmosphere. When the rainforests are burned and cleared, the carbon is
released. Also, when trees are cut down they can no longer absorb carbon
dioxide. This means more carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere. Carbon
dioxide allows heat through the atmosphere (suns rays). However, it will
not allow reflected energy to escape from the atmosphere. This is called
the greenhouse effect and causes global warming.

22. How can the rainforest be managed
for sustainable development?
• Afforestation - Trees should be replanted in areas
of deforestation.
• Shifting Cultivation - Farmers should move on
after 2-3 years to allow the rainforest to recover.
• Rubber tapping - More sustainable methods of
exploiting the rainforest should be pursued e.g.
rubber tapping
• Measuring trees - Trees should only be cut down
when they reach a certain size. This will ensure
younger trees survive longer and will encourage
careful management of the rainforest.

24. Let’s save our rainforests!!!
And save us!!!