Lesson 4: What are the characteristics of the

rainforest?

Learning objective
To describe the characteristics of the rainforest
Describe the rainforest using 6 adjectives

damp

noisy

detailed

Shaded
Where in the world are rainforests found?

N.Austraila

Central Africa

Central and S.America

S.E.Asia
 How will we break down the characteristics?

1. Climate
2. Soil
3. Plants and animals
 What type of climate does a rainforest have?

• Describe the climate of the rainforest

 • Describe the climate of the rainforest

Sample answer
The climate of the rainforest is varied. Generally, the temperature throughout the
year remains steady ranging from 26 degrees in Jan and peaking in September at
28 degrees. Rainfall fluctuates with highs in March of 315 mm of rainfall and the
lowest being in November with approx 8mm of rainfall.
 Rainforest climate
Warm and wet 6 months of rainfall

Low pressure creates

clouds which causes Constant sun
rainfall

Very humid
 Soils in the rainforest
• Surprisingly the soil in the rainforest is mostly infertile..
Why?
• The soil is covered by dead leaves falling from the trees, these
decompose.
• Many plants and trees have shallow roots that suck up any nutrients on
the soil.
• Fungi in the roots swallow nutrients from the air this is a good example
of nutrient cycling.

A nutrient cycle (or ecological recycling) is the movement and

exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the
production of living matter. The process is regulated by food web
pathways that decompose matter into mineral nutrients.
 Soils in the rainforest
• Heavy rainfall can carry nutrients away this is
called leaching which leaves the soil a rich red
iron soil.
 What plants and animals live in the rainforest?

• Tropical rainforests have a HUGE biodiversity

with half of the earth’s plants and animals
living here!

Birds live high up in

the canopy feeding on Mammals like
Deer and rodents live
the nectar from the monkeys and sloths
on the forest floor.
flowers on the live in the trees
branches
 How have animals and plants adapted?

• Whilst most animals live in the canopy they do

interact with fungi and bacteria on the forest floor.
• Any change occurring with the ecosystem can
greatly affect both the biotic and abiotic factors.

Can you remember what biotic and abiotic

mean?
 Homework
• Research how global atmospheric circulation
affects the rainforest.
• 2 paragraphs