The Rainforest Ecosystem

Learning objectives:

• Explain how the rainforest ecosystem works including the layers of the rainforest

• Explain how plants and animals are adapted to the tropical rainforest ecosystem

Starter

• Working in pairs, how many animals can you come up with that live in the rainforest?

•Describe the global distribution of tropical rainforests (3)

The rainforest canopy

Key Words

CanopyUnder CanopyShrub LayerEmergent

The tropical rainforest canopy

• Plants have had to adapt to living in tropic conditions (hot and wet).

• Plants grow well in the damp heat – so well that they have to fight for sunlight.

The tropical rainforest canopy

• One way to win is to grow tall and straight.

• Trees battle to reach above the canopy for more sunlight.

The rainforest canopy

Main canopy

Emergent

Under canopy

Shrub layer

Copy this diagram and label your rainforest with the correct words.

The rainforest canopy

Layer Type of plant

Likes / dislikes

Home to

Shrub layer

Under canopy

Canopy

Emergents

Task

• Title: The tropical rainforest canopy• Colour in your tree layers• Cut the different layers and stick them in

your book in the following order:– Emergent tree layer– Canopy layer– Under canopy layer– Shrub layer

Layers of the rainforest

Watch the planet earth DVD

• Watch the BBC Planet Earth Jungles DVD using the worksheet to help your structure your notes

Adaptation“Something that is changed or changes to become suitable to a new or special situation.”

Think SharePair

How have plants adapted to the conditions of the rainforest?

• Thick vines loop around the tree trunks to reach sunlight.

• Air plants perch up high on branches.

• Ferns adapt to life in the shade.

• Roots grow close to the surface to get nutrients.

What else?

• Drip tips to let the rain drip off• Sharp edges to stop it being eaten• Thick waxy coat to protect against the rain and

insects• Grow straight and tall to reach the sunlight• Butress roots to keep them balanced.

Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through

www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Rainforest plants And the enormous the number of different species of plants grow in rainforests, with many species occurring only in one particular region. Unlike other forests, rain forests have an abundance of :

Epiphytes plants which live above the ground growing on tree trunks and branches, Example orchids,

ferns, mosses

Climbing plants including large woody climbers called lianas which are rooted in the soil and usually reach thecanopy. The climbers twist around the tree trunks, and loop from one tree to another in the canopy, binding the trees together.

Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through

www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Strong scent and bright colours of flowers attract insects which assist in pollination

Strong scent of fruits attracts animals, which feed on the fruit and assist in dispersal of the seeds

Thick, waxy surface of leaves protects against hot sun, heavy rain, and strong winds Aerial roots of

epiphytes absorb moisture from the air

Tall straight trunks no side branches

Thin, smooth bark

Buttress roots Shallow spreading root system

Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through

www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Orchid - sun-loving roots attached themselves to branches and absorb nutrients

Pitcher plant - a carnivorous plant.

slippery rim

tendril

Insects falling into the pitcher are digested, and nutrients which are released are absorbed by the plant.

Parasitic plant

Can you find any adaptations on the

animals you have been given?

Stick Insect

Poison Arrow Tree Frog

Mimic Poison Arrow Tree Frog

Toucans

Three-toed Sloth

African Forest Elephant

Decide what part of the rainforest your animal will live in

Butterhummingfrog

This is a butterhummingfrog. It lives in the Brazilian rainforest. It cannot fly, but uses its wings to attract insects and butterflies to eat. It has a pointed beak to drink nectar from flowers. It likes to live in dark, moist environments like a pond or stream. Its toes have suction cup pads to help in climbing and clinging to leaves and branches.

Use at least 3 adaptations for the animal

Describe your animal, giving reasons for its adaptations linked to the conditions within the

forest

Give your animal a name

Describe your animal’s environment and the layer that the animal lives in

Put your animal in a food chain, using other imaginary animals from the rainforest.

Homework:

Draw an annotated sketch of your animal.

Things to think about...

Use at least 3 adaptations for the animal

Describe your animal, giving reasons for its adaptations linked to the conditions within

the forest

Give your animal a name

Describe your animal’s environment and the layer that the animal lives in

Put your animal in a food chain, using other animals from the rainforest.