4. How do tropical rainforest systems work?

Activity 1 - What are Tropical Rainforests?

Activity Tasks

What is a tropical rainforest and how is it different to other biomes? With a partner, try to brainstorm what makes a tropical rainforest so unique.
How important are tropical rainforests? Watch the video on the right --> and note down all the ways in which tropical rainforests are important to the world.
Where are tropical rainforests? Examine this map and try to name 5 countries in which tropical rainforests are located - use Google Maps to help you find country names if you are stuck!

Activity Tasks

Complete this diagram showing the four layers of the tropical rainforest. Take notes from the video (-->) to help you answer each of the three questions for each layer. For each layer you need to identify:
1. Features of the trees
2. Climate Conditions
3. Types of trees and animals
Discuss - How does climate affect the features and structure of the rainforest?

Activity Tasks

Watch this video about the importance of rain in the rain forests. It shows how rain forest climate and the water cycles are broken when trees are removed.
Now study the two diagrams on this worksheet before answering these questions:
1. How will water in the atmosphere be affected by deforestation?
2. What happens to the water table after deforestation?
3. What happens to the amount of water getting into the soil?
4. What will happen to surface run-off?

Activity Tasks

The nutrient cycle is a sub-system which rain forests rely upon to survive and thrive. Watch the video about the nutrient cycle and make notes on how it works.
With a partner, examine these diagrams of the nutrient and water cycles. For each one, consider the effects on the systems which would arise if trees were removed.
Complete this flow diagram to show how deforestation can impact on the nutrient cycle of rain forests.
Extension - If finished, try to complete this task which examines the carbon cycle, another sub-system.

Activity Tasks

Watch this video (-->) about food chains and make notes on what they are and how they work. Discuss your findings with the class.
Write a definition of a food chain in your books.
Now match these keywords about food chains with their correct definitions and write them out.
Draw a diagram of your own food chain. It must contain: the producer; primary consumer; secondary consumer; tertiary consumer; final (apex) consumer; and a decomposer. Examine this chain for ideas.

Activity Tasks

Watch the video (-->) and make notes on what food webs are. How are they different to food chains?
According to the video, what happens to the rainforest ecosystem if one species (Spider Monkey) is removed from the food web?
How could food webs be affected by human activity? With a partner, try to brainstorm all the ways in which humans can affect food webs.

Activity Tasks

In pairs or small groups, research each of the plant and animal species on this worksheet to find out which part (trophic level) of the food chain they belong to and write down your findings on each species card.
Cut out each species card and arrange them into a food web. Use string or draw lines to connect each species to the species they eat, and to show any other interrelationships.
Answer these questions on post-it notes, and stick onto your completed food webs:
1. What would happen if a key species was removed due to hunting?
2. What would happen if the trees are removed due to deforestation?
3. What would happen if the climate changes due to global warming? (i.e. less rain)
When finished, give your food web a title and try to illustrate it. The take a picture and upload to the Evidencer, explaining what the food web shows.

Activity Tasks

Imagine you are an animal in an food web from an ecosystem of your choice. The picture here (-->) is of a food web from the Savannah.
Write a poem or story to describe your relationships to other animals and plants in the ecosystem. Consider the landscape and the flora and fauna you fear, need, and use. Some useful links are: