This document provides an overview of a lesson on tropical rainforests. It begins by stating the learning objectives which are to identify and describe the characteristics and layers of a tropical rainforest. It then asks questions about tropical rainforests and deforestation. The key points covered include that rainforests have the highest plant diversity, a three-layered structure consisting of an emergent, canopy and forest floor layer, and that plants have adaptations like broad leaves and buttress roots to survive in the hot, wet conditions. Students are assigned homework to sketch a rainforest leaf.

1. Sec 1 Unit 3
Lesson 1
Tropical Rainforest

2. 
At the end of the lesson you will be
able to :
1.Identify a tropical rainforest
2.List the characteristics of a
tropical rainforest
3.Label and describe the layers of
a tropical rainforest.

3.  How
can we save tropical
rainforest?
◦ What are tropical rainforests?
◦ What is deforestation?
◦ Where are tropical rainforests found?
◦ Which areas have been deforested?
◦ Why do we deforest?
◦ How should we manage
deforestation?

4. 

Take 2 minutes, read the poem
Lets listen to a rainforest.

5.  Earth’s
oldest ecosystem.
 High rainfall and high
temperatures throughout the
year.
 Thick, luxuriant evergreen forests.
◦ Evergreen = no distinct shedding
season.

6. 1. Diversity
of types
2. Structure of rainforest
3. Plant Adaptations

7.  Highest
plant diversity in all forest
types.
 Warm temperatures and constant
rainfall encourages plant growth.
 Over 300 species in 0.01sq km
 Source of common local food
◦ Bananas, mangoes, pepper, cinnamo
n, corn, pandan, walnuts

8.  Plants
grown to different
heights
 Three-layered structure
found in tropical
rainforests

9.  Trees
up to 50m talls.
 Clearly visible from above
 Trees that rise above the even
canopy below.
 Trees tend to have
tall, straight and smooth
trunks.
 Tualang, Kapok tree.

10.  Layer
of trees that grow to
between 20 – 30m
 The crowns form an
interlocking layer.
 Blocks 90% of sunlight from
the forest floor.
 Deflects most rainfall.

11.  Dark
most of the day as sun
rays are blocked by canopy.
 Plants tend to be small and
widely-spaced apart.
 Vegetation is sparse on
forest floor, mostly
decomposing leaves.

12.  Epiphytes
grow on trees to
receive more sunlight.
◦Ferns, orchids, mosses
 Lianas
are woody vines that
twine up trees for more
sunlight.
◦Monkey ladder vine

15. 







50m
20m
Emergent layer
Canopy layer
Epiphytes
Lianas
Buttress Roots
Ferns

16.  Plants
adapt to the climatic
conditions with special
features.
 Without adaptations, they will
not survive the high
temperatures and heavy
rainfall.
PG 78

17.  Tall
straight trunks
 Branches spread out near the
top to reach for sunlight.
 Smooth bark to allow
rainwater to flow easily down
to the roots.

19.  Broad
leaves to capture more
sunlight
 Waxy, leathery or hairy surfaces to
minimise water loss.
 Drip tips to allow water to runoff.
◦ Reduces the growth of fungi and
bacteria

20. Waxy surface
Drip tip
Hairy surface

21.  Still
air and lack of wind is
bad for seed dispersal.
 Strong smelling flowers and
fruit encourage animal and
insect pollination.

23. 
Large spread roots that grow up to 5m
above the ground.
◦ Help to support the tall emergent and
canopy trees
Shallow roots that reach for the
nutrients in the topsoil and
decomposing foliage.
 Constant presence of water, no need
for deep roots that search for ground
water.


26.  By
the next lesson, pick a leaf
that you think is from a
rainforest tree and sketch it on
a piece of blank paper.
 Submit both the leaf and the
paper as your homework.

27.  Complete
the test in the time
allocated.
 Remember to write in black ink.
 If you are drawing diagrams, you
can use pencil.