Rainforests

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Rainforests

• Ellen
• 2004

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What is a Rainforest?

• A rainforest is an environment that receives high
  rainfall, and has many tall trees.
• There are two types of rainforests Temperate
  and Tropical.

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World Rainforests

• This map shows tropical rainforests

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Australian Rainforests
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Minnamurra Rainforest

• Minnamurra Rainforest is near Jamberoo.
• It is a warm temperate rainforest.

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Rainforest Layers

• Rainforests can be divided into layers from the
  top to the bottom.

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Emergent Layer

• The tallest trees are the emergents, growing as
  much as 50 metres above the forest floor with
  trunks that measure up to 4 metres around.  
• Most of these trees are broad-leaved, hardwood
  evergreens.
• This layer receives a lot of sunlight.

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Canopy Layer

• This is the main layer of the forest, and forms a
  roof over the lower layers.
• Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that
  come to a point. 
• Many animals such as snakes, toucans and
  tree-frogs live in this area, since there is a
  lot of food.

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Understorey Layer

• Not very much sunshine reaches this area, so the
  plants have to grow larger leaves to reach the
  sunlight.  
• Many animals live here, including jaguars (not in
  Australia), tree frogs and lots of insects.

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Forest Floor Layer

• Down here its very dark, so almost no plants
  grow.
• On the forest floor things begin to decay quickly
  - for example a leaf can decompose in 6 weeks.
• Bush Turkeys and Lyrebirds live in this layer.

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Fauna

• Life in the rainforest is filled with
  predator/prey relationships.
• This helps to keep the food chain balanced.

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Flora

• More then 2/3 of the worlds plant species are
  found in tropical rainforests.
• Scientists have used many rainforest plants to
  make medicines.

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Why are they important to us?

• Rainforests turn carbon dioxide into oxygen and
  reduce the greenhouse affect.
• Rainforests plants provide sources of medicines.
• Rainforests are the only home of many rare
  animals.

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Why are they becoming extinct?

• The biggest causes of rainforest destruction are
  logging and mining, and clearing for farming.

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Where I found my information

• Internet Sites
• Google
• www.animalsoftherainforest.org/
• www.rain-tree.com/schoolreports.htm
• HSC Online

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The End