Watch the vid.. What’s the story?

What do you know?

• How much TRF has been lost?

• Why is it being lost?

• Why don’t we just replant it?

• What are the consequences of losing it?

• What are the consequences of continuing to destroy it?

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2011/feb/09/most-threatened-forests-interactive

UNDER CANOPY

• 10- 20 meters above the forest floor

• Few branches• Younger plants waiting to

penetrate the upper canopy

1m

5m

20m

35m

40 - 60m

Forest Floor

Shrub layer

Under Canopy

Main Canopy

Emergents

The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest

FOREST FLOOR

• Diffused light, therefore not covered with dense plant undergrowth – only receives 1 to 2% of the sunlight

• The plants have adapted to the dark and quiet

• Has shrubs at less than 1 meter

1m

5m

20m

35m

40 - 60m

Forest Floor

Shrub layer

Under Canopy

Main Canopy

Emergents

The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest

EMERGENTS• Trees that have grown up out

of the canopy• Over 50 meters tall (35 – 60)• Small leaves to prevent

moisture being blown away by the wind, as seeds are

• Unlimited light and sun

1m

5m

20m

35m

40 - 60m

Forest Floor

Shrub layer

Under Canopy

Main Canopy

Emergents

The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest

THE CANOPY• Covers the rainforest• Captures the energy from the sun• Largest amount of biomass of any ecosystem

on the earth• Largest amount of leaves, fruit and flowers in

the rainforest• At 20-35 meters above the floor• Home to 90% of the organisms found in the

rain forest; many seeking the brighter light

1m

5m

20m

35m

40 - 60m

Forest Floor

Shrub layer

Under Canopy

Main Canopy

Emergents

The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest

SHRUB LAYER• Only about 5% of the light reaches

this layer.• It is usually dark and damp• Plants here rarely grow to more

than 3.5m in height.

1m

5m

20m

35m

40 - 60m

Forest Floor

Shrub layer

Under Canopy

Main Canopy

Emergents

The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest

Now check your

answers...

Watch the vid.. What’s the story?

So?

•Deforestation – the removal or destruction of areas of forest.

•Tropical rainforests are being destroyed at the rate of 32,000 hectares per day.

•The size of the remaining forest is about 5% of the world’s land surface.

•80% of the Amazon is ‘untouched’ - selective and small scale deforestation can benefit local communities.

•"Who, or what, is to blame for the destruction of the rainforest?"

Why are tropical rainforests being destroyed? Explain each…(use textbook)

•Logging•Road Building/Urbanisation•Arable farming•Cattle Ranching•Mining – minerals•Oil extraction•Hydro-Electricity Power Stations •Drugs trade

Quick questions

• Where are tropical rainforests located?• Why are they considered ‘fragile

environments’?• What are the main layers of the

rainforests?• Why are rainforests being cut down

(deforestation)?• What amount (total and %) is/has been

damaged?

High End Questions

• Destruction of TRF’s should not be limited?

• Is us telling them to stop is hypocrisy?

• The worlds resources are there to be used?

• Long term consequences don’t matter?