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Components of the Amazon rainforest - Coggle Diagram
Components of the Amazon rainforest
What qualifies land to be called a rainforest?
Tropical rainforests are characterized by a warm and wet climate with no substantial dry season.
typically found within 10 degrees north and south of the equator.
Average annual rainfall is no less than 168 cm (66 in) and can exceed 1,000 cm (390 in) although it typically lies between 175 cm (69 in) and 200 cm (79 in)
Layers of a rainforest
The canopy layer contains the majority of the largest trees, typically 30 metres (98 ft) to 45 metres (148 ft) tall. The densest areas of biodiversity are found in the forest canopy, a more or less continuous cover of foliage formed by adjacent treetops.
The emergent layer contains a small number of very large trees called emergents, which grow above the general canopy, reaching heights of 45–55 m
The understory or understorey layer lies between the canopy and the forest floor. It is home to a number of birds, snakes and lizards, as well as predators such as jaguars, boa constrictors and leopards. The leaves are much larger at this level and insect life is abundant.
The forest floor, the bottom-most layer, receives only 2% of the sunlight. Only plants adapted to low light can grow in this region. Away from riverbanks, swamps and clearings, where dense undergrowth is found, the forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation because of the low sunlight penetration.
Plants, animals, and oxygen
home to more than 1500 of the bird species in the world.
over 40,000 different plant species
approximately 3000 fruits that grow in the rainforest that are edible
Of the plants known to have anti-cancer properties, 70% are found in the rainforest
approximately 2.5 million insect species
referred to as the ‘Lungs of the Planet' because it produces more than 20% of the world's oxygen
Deforestation is causing lack of trees to produce oxygen
The trees being destroyed are releasing the Carbon Dioxide stored within them.
Oxygen is a byproduct of plants performing photosynthesis (feeding themselves)
People and tribes
In 1500 there were between 6 and 9 million Amazon natives
Today there are only an estimated 250,000 left
approximately 170 different languages spoken by the Amazon natives
It is believed that there may still be as many as 50 Amazon native tribes living in the rainforest that have never been in contact with the rest of the world