Rainforests

1. Rainforests By ElinaBieber (Jermakova)

2. Tropical Rainforest The tropical rainforest is a hot, moist biome found near Earth's equator. The world's largest tropical rainforests are in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tropical rainforests receive from 60 to 160 inches of precipitation that is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.  Over 15 million species of plants and animals live within this biome.

3. Although tropical rainforests receive 12 hours of sunlight daily, less than 2% of that sunlight ever reaches the ground. The tropical rainforest has dense vegetation, often forming three different layers--the canopy, the understory, and the ground layer. Frequently, people think of the tropical rainforest as a "jungle" where plant growth is dense even at ground level. However, the canopy created by the tall trees (100-120 feet) and the understory, prevents sunlight from reaching the ground. The soil is, therefore, always shaded, and very little vegetation is able to survive at ground level.

4. Birds Tropical rainforests are a home to many kinds of birds including parrots, hornbills, toucans and raptors like eagles, hawks and vultures.

5. Birds • Toucan • Quetzal • Harpy Eagle • Macaw • Lorikeet • Kingfisher • Peacock • Bird of Paradise

6. Bird of Paradise There are more than three dozen species in the family. Paradisaeidae, more commonly known as the birds of paradise. Most are distinguished by striking colours and bright plumage of yellow, blue, scarlet, and green. These colours distinguish them as some of the world's most dramatic and attractive birds. Males often sport vibrant feathered ruffs or amazingly elongated feathers, which are known as wires or streamers. Some species have enormous head plumes or other distinctive ornaments, such as breast shields or head fans.

7. Where are Rainforests Located Rainforests are found in the tropics, the region between the Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer. In this region the sun is very strong and shines about the same amount of time every day all year long making the climate warm and stable. Brazil Congo Peru Indonesia Colombia Papua New Guinea Venezuela Bolivia Mexico Suriname

8. Leaf-cutting Ants Leaf cutter ants are insects that are less than 1 cm long. They spend much of their time cutting to make compost for gardens in which they grow fungi that they eat. There are about 40 species of leafcutter ants. All of them grow their own food! Leafcutter ants live Central and South.

9. Orangutan Though an adult male orangutan can weigh up to 220 pounds (100 kilograms)—females weigh about half what males do—orangutans spend most of their time up in the trees. They are the largest of all arboreal animals. Equipped with very long, powerful arms and hook-shaped hands and feet, these apes climb and swing from tree to tree with ease.

10. Conclusion Many rainforests and animals are still vanishing today. Our responsibility is to safe them by not cutting down trees or killing those cute animals. Think about them… By ElinaBieber (Jermakova)