What is a rainforest BBC Bitesize?
A tropical rainforest biome is found in hot, humid environments in equatorial climates. They contain the most diverse range and highest volume of plant and animal life found anywhere on earth. In general, tropical rainforests have hot and humid climates where it rains virtually everyday.
Why are rainforests important BBC Bitesize?
The rainforests are so important because they are home to: oxygen – the rainforest vegetation takes in carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen. medicines – a quarter of all natural medicines were discovered here. undiscovered species.
Did you know facts about rainforests?
Here’s what everyone should know about rainforests:
- Rainforests are a powerful natural climate solution.
- Tropical forests have become a net carbon emitters.
- Tropical rainforests cover less than 3% of the planet, yet they are home to more than half our planet’s terrestrial animal species.
What are the 4 layers of the rainforest?
Most rainforests (except evergreen forests in Europe and North America) are structured in four distinct layers: emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor. Each layer has unique characteristics based on how much water, sunlight and air circulation it experiences.
Why is a rainforest called a rainforest?
Why is it called a Rainforest? The reason it is called a “rain” forest is because of the high amount of rainfall it gets per year. Rainforests have an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and often much more.
How many animals live in the rainforests?
The Amazon Rainforest and Biodiversity As an ecosystem, the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Over 3 million species live in the rainforest, and over 2,500 tree species (or one-third of all tropical trees that exist on earth) help to create and sustain this vibrant ecosystem.
How old is the rainforest?
The rainforest has been in existence for at least 55 million years and most of the region remained free of savanna-type biomes at least until the current ice age when the climate was drier and savanna more widespread.
What are the tallest trees in the rainforest called?
The tallest tree in the Amazon is the Sumaumeira. A species of the Kapok tree, the Sumaumeira can grow to heights of 200 feet and diameters of more than ten feet, towering above their neighbours high up in the jungle canopy.
What are 2 types of rainforests?
There are two types of rainforests, tropical and temperate. Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator and temperate rainforests are found farther north near coastal areas. The majority of common houseplants come from the rainforest.
What are some mind-blowing facts about the rainforest?
Ask your parents to check out Nat Geo Kids magazine! 3. It can take ten minutes for a falling raindrop to travel from a rainforest’s thick canopy to the floor. 4. A tree known as the idiot fruit grows in Australia ‘s Daintree rainforest. 5.
What are rainforests and where are they?
They are home to many resources, but deforestation could result in negative impacts to the planet. Tropical rainforests are found between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, 23.5° north and south of the equator. What are rainforests like? The tropical rainforest contains far more species of plants and animals than any other biome.
What are the characteristics of a tropical rainforest?
The wide range of plant species supports many different animals, birds and insects. A tropical rainforest is made up of the following layers. Ground level – contains less vegetation due to the dark, damp conditions, a thick layer of decomposing leaves and buttress roots of trees. Shrub level – dense and dark with small plants.
How can we use ecosystems and biomes as an introduction to rainforests?
This clip is from the series Ecosystems and Biomes. This could be used as an introduction to rainforests. Students could investigate the different layers and try to place the correct plants, insects and animals in the specific layers of the rainforest they belong.