Animals amp Their Environment 2016 Four basic layers of the rainforest The rainforest has 4 basic layers Plants and animal have adapted to the various layers Each layer has a MICROCLIMATE ID: 514864
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Layers of the Rainforest
Animals & Their Environment
2016Slide2
Four “basic” layers of the rainforestThe rainforest has 4 basic layers
Plants and animal have adapted to the various layers
Each layer has a “MICROCLIMATE”Slide3
What is a MICROCLIMATE?First – let’s define “CLIMATE”
Weather conditions, typically over a long period of time
Rain, winds, temperature, humidity, etc.
Microclimate is a smaller climate.
May exist in just a tiny area (side of a building)
Warmer/cooler, wetter/dryer, sunny/shadySlide4
Four layers of the rainforestSlide5
Let’s investigate each layer and it’s microclimateSlide6
EMERGENT LAYERAlso called the “overstory
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Trees that top the canopy
Can reach heights of 210’
FULL sun
Drier environment with higher winds
Birds of prey depend on this layerSlide7
Emergent Layer Animals and birds that live up here are very light weight
Climate conditions are variable and change often
Diameter of trees that grow into this layer can be 16’
Hummingbirds and butterflies are prevalent in this layer
The Macaw nests in holes in the trunks of these trees
Sloths and spider monkeys live up in this layer Slide8
Canopy LayerContains the majority of the trees of the rainforest
Light is abundant (on top)
Trees adapted to intense sunlight
Drip Tip – funnels rain water off the leaf down to the forest belowSlide9
Canopy 80% of the sunlight is absorbed by this layer
Most of the rainfall is absorbed by this layer, the floor gets what drips off
Food is plentiful for animals in this layer
Many animals use this layer as shelter from predators
Animals fly, jump, hop, and glide to move through this layer
Microclimates change depending on the part of the layer
Topmost – hot, dry, sunny, windy
Lower – cooler, more humid, less sunlight, less windSlide10
UnderstoryContains short trees, young trees, shrubs, and the trunks of the canopy and emergent trees
Limited sunlight
Dense shade is common under the canopySlide11
Understory
Receives less than 5% of the sunlight coming into the forest
Little or no wind, very hot and humid as moisture is “trapped”
Leaves of the plants are dark, and large to absorb more sunlight
Growth not as thick, or dense, as upper layers as insufficient light to support growth
Insects, especially mosquitoes, enjoy this dark, humid environment – prey of birds and geckos
Common animals are bats, monkeys, jaguars, snakes, lizards, frogs
Camouflage is the key adaptation of species in this layer (both predator and prey)
Competition for food is fierce at this levelSlide12
The Forest FloorIncludes the rivers and streams of the forest
Less than 2% of the light ever reaches the forest floor
Very little vegetation
Filled with decaying plant and animal matter
Fungus and moss are commonSlide13
Forest FloorDark and humid (95% humidity is not uncommon)
Only rainwater to reach the floor comes from the tree trunks dripping down
Very little vegetation, seeds lie dormant until an opening in the canopy appears (tree dies)
Largest animals live on the forest floor, mainly carnivores and herbivores
Jungle cats, rainforest pigs (warthogs, wild boar), reptiles, insects
Army ants – will eat anything they come in contact with - even humans!
Fish and other aquatic species in the rivers, lakes, and streamsSlide14
Life in the rainforestInsects make up the majority of animals that live in tropical forests
All animals make adaptations to survive in the rainforest
Color – to blend in or stand out
Patterns – to blend in and hide
Vocalizations – typically loud to communicate
Diets – adapt to the level they live in – fruits, insects, prey species available