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Rainforest
A dense evergreen forest with an annual
rainfall of at least 406 centimeters (160
inches).
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Types of Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest Temperate Rainforest
The best known coniferous or broa
rain forests found in dleaf forests that
tropical regions occur in
between the the temperate
Tropics of cancer zone and receive
and Capricorn. high rainfall.
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Tropical Rainforest
an ecosystem type that occurs roughly
within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south
of the equator (in the equatorial zone
between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of
Capricorn)
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The lowest level of the rainforest
Detritus, duff and O horizon
one of the most distinctive features of
a forest ecosystem
also teems with a wide variety of fauna
and flora
one of the richest components of the
ecosystem from the standpoint
of biodiversity
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primary layer of the forest forming a roof
over the two remaining layers
contains the majority of the largest trees
The densest areas of biodiversity
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Climate
“equatorial climate”
(characterized by three major climatic
parameters)
Temperature
Rainfall
Dry season intensity
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Soils – Soil Types
Classification of soils
Ultisols - well weathered, acidic red clay
soils
Oxisols - acidic, old, typically reddish, highly
weathered and leached
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Soils – Nutrient Recycling
How does nutrients in soils are recycled?
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Soils – Buttress Roots
create a wide spread root network at the
surface for more efficient uptake of
nutrients in a very nutrient poor and
competitive environment.
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Carbon Flux
definedas the exchange of carbon
dioxide between the atmosphere and a
sink
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Forest Succession
an ecological process that changes the
biotic community structure over time
towards a more stable, diverse
community structure after an initial
disturbance to the community.
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Rainforest of Central America
found in coastal Brazil, northern and
western South America (from Peru to
Venezuela), central America (especially
Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and
Belize), southern Mexico, and on some
islands in the Caribbean.
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Rainforest of Southeast Asia
theoldest, consistent rainforests on
Earth, dating back to the Pleistocene
Epoch 70 million years ago.
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Biodiversity and
Speciation
Interspecific competition hypothesis, Pleistocene
refugia
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Interspecific Competition
Hypothesis
because of the high density of species
with similar niches in the tropics and
limited resources available, they must do
one of two things: become extinct or find
a new niche.
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Pleistocene Refugia
A theory developed by Jürgen Haffer in
1969
To further understand this theory, watch
this video of
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Human Dimensions
Habitation, Indigenous
People, Resources, Ecosystem Services, Tourism
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Habitation
Tropical
rainforests are unable to support
human life
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Indigenous
People: Pygmy
People
hunter-gatherer groups living in
equatorial rainforests
characterized by their short
height
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Resources
Cultivated foods and spices
Yam, Coffee, chocolate, banana, mango,
papaya, macadamia, avocado, and sugar
cane all originally came from tropical
rainforest and are still mostly grown on
plantations in regions that were formerly
primary forest.
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Ecosystem Services
Humankind benefits from a multitude of
resources and processes that are supplied
by natural ecosystems.
e.g. Clean Drinking Water
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Tourism
anincrease in tourism has increased
economic support, allowing more
revenue to go into the protection of the
habitat.
e.g. Ecotours
increasepublic appreciation of the
environment and to spread awareness of
environmental problems when it brings
people into closer contact with the
environment.
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CONSERVATION
Threats and Protection
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PAST and PRESENT
The rainforests before, how it were slowly getting
destroyed, and ways to conserve it.
