It's a Jungle Out There!!

Life in the jungle means a multi-storey world of plants and animals.

There are more species of plants and animals living the tropical raiforests than on the rest of the planet. It is, without doubt, the most exotic place on earth. Underneath the "curtain" of leaves lies a dark, damp world so bursting with life that about 80% of all living things in it have not even been named yet!

The rainforest is like a huge city of skyscrapers. The tallest trees of the forest provide the main structure and the shorter trees and bushes split the forest into different levels, each one being home to very different forms of life.

Plants are absolutely everywhere, and some of them can grow to be huge. Trees can reach over 200 feet in height (61 metres) and flowers can measure up to three feet across. Even a lily pad can grow big enough to support the weight of a child.

High Rise Life

Emergents

These are the tallest trees, the top layer of the forest. Up here, colobus monkeys eat flowers and hide from crowned eagles.

Canopy layer

This is where parrots and other birds warn monkeys of prowling leopards. Small plants such as orchids also grow on tree trunks, where their colourful flowers can be seen by passing birds and insects.

Midstrata

Here, the trees squeeze into remaining open spaces, with vines and roots from emergents sent down to make their bases more sturdy. Chimps, snakes and even gorillas climb around this layer.

Forest floor

Down here plants don't get much light. Chameleons, frogs, shrews and deer run amongst the trees and vines, with fish such as piranha in the pools - so no part of the forest is without life.

Forest Threats

Over the last hundred years, as man has built more cities and farms, vast areas of rainforests have been destroyed. They have also been cut down for timber or destroyed so that gold and other natural resources can be mined more easily.

Man has already wiped out thousands of species of plants and animals and is in danger of causing permanent damage to the earth's delicate balance.

How Can You Help?

* Recycle paper and aluminium cans

* Try to buy recycled products

* Don't buy hardwood products

Quick Facts !

* Annual rainfall - 2500 - 3000 mm

* Temperature - 20 - 25 degrees - up to 100% humidity

* Total area of planet covered - 6%

* Area lost in last 5000 years - 50%

* World importance - Recycling water. The lungs of the earth

* Threats - Deforestation by man

* Amazing fact - One hectare of forest contains : 200 types of tree, 100 species of bird and 40,000 invertebrates.