HOW THE FOREST HOW THE FOREST WORKSWORKS

The rainforests contain 50% of all the The rainforests contain 50% of all the plant and animal species in the plant and animal species in the world.world.

The Amazon rainforest is 30 times The Amazon rainforest is 30 times the size of Britain.the size of Britain.

Layers of the ForestLayers of the Forest

Emergents - up to 50mEmergents - up to 50m

Canopy - 30mCanopy - 30m

Under Canopy - 20mUnder Canopy - 20m

Shrub Layer - Forest floorShrub Layer - Forest floor Structured this way as the plants need light for the Structured this way as the plants need light for the

process of photosynthesis.process of photosynthesis. Canopy - is the engine of the rainforest.Canopy - is the engine of the rainforest.

- catches most of the suns energy. - catches most of the suns energy.

- flowers and fruits are abundant.- flowers and fruits are abundant.

- most animals live in the canopy. - most animals live in the canopy.

Rainfall in the AmazonRainfall in the Amazon

The rainforest is one the hottest and The rainforest is one the hottest and wettest places on Earth, 2000mm of wettest places on Earth, 2000mm of rain each year, temperature rarely rain each year, temperature rarely below 25below 25°C.°C.

The reason is heavy The reason is heavy Convectional Convectional Rainfall.Rainfall.

As air rises it cools,Condensation occurs

FormingClouds

Hot Air Rises,Full of Moisture

HeavyRainfall

ConvectionalRainfall

Soils of the AmazonSoils of the Amazon

Poor soils, contain few nutrients and Poor soils, contain few nutrients and minerals for the plants.minerals for the plants.

Roots of trees are near the earth’s Roots of trees are near the earth’s surface due to lack of nutrients surface due to lack of nutrients within soils.within soils.

Liana (creepers), grow up trunks of Liana (creepers), grow up trunks of large trees.large trees.

Nutrient cycleNutrient cycle vital to the rainforest. vital to the rainforest.

Leaves fall toForest floor

TreesGrow

LeavesDecompose

Provides nutrientsFor trees

NutrientCycle