Tropical rainforests have an average temperature between 20-35°C and receive heavy rainfall between 200-400cm annually. Over 50% of all life exists in these forests, which only take up 2% of the earth's surface. The forests grow on acidic, nutrient-poor soils and have a structure with multiple layers - a forest floor, understory, and canopy or overstory. Fig trees are crucial to the forests as they provide a food source for birds and mammals through their fruits, and army ants that travel across the forest floor in swarms are followed by birds eating the debris left behind.

1. Tropical Rainforests By Luke and Brad Picture of Spider Monkey by Luke Musher

2. Physical Features Average Temp.: Between 20° and 35°C Rainfall: between 200 and 400 cm annually. Over 50% if all life are found in tropical Rainforests, although they only occupy about 2% of the earth’s surface. Tropical forests grow on red and yellow clay-like laterite soils which are acidic and low in nutrients

3. Vegetation 70% of all species are trees Roots do not reach deep into soil Epiphytes grow on tr ees high above the fo rest floor Epiphytes conserve water Ex.: Ferns, mosses, orchids, and bromeliads.

4. Structure Forest Floor Understory Canopy Overstory (sometimes not included)

6. Fig Tree and the Army Ants Fig Tree: 900 or so species from the genus ficus Crucial Tree in New World Forests. When fruit is ripe, several species of birds and mammals visit the tree. Does not Suffer from animal eating frenzies. Contain hundreds of tiny seeds that few birds and insects can break down. Army Ants : Travel along forest floor devouring everything in their path. Many species of birds follow these hordes eating debris left from the ants. Can carry weights more than 50x their own weight. They have a keen perception of odor and taste.

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