Rainforests: Earth's Oldest Ecosystems

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Rainforests are the oldest living ecosystems on Earth. Some have survived for 70 million years. These warm and wet forests can be found in every continent except Antarctica. In a rainforest, rain falls almost every day. There is a constant buzz from millions of chirping bugs. Animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth call the rainforest home. Among these animals are the smallest frogs and largest spiders. So many animals and plants live in the rainforests, that no one has been able to count them all. Rainforests have four layers that each have unique plant and animal life. The top layer of a rainforest is made of tall trees. Some grow to be more than 200 feet tall. This layer is called the emergent layer. Trees in the emergent layer get a lot of sun. Many birds and monkeys live in these tall trees. The middle layer of a rainforest includes the canopy and understory layers. This middle layer is made of small trees with strong branches. The toucan and two-toed sloth live here. The bottom layer is the forest floor. It is wet and muddy. Leaves and small bushes cover the forest floor and giant anteaters roam this layer. Many things we use come from the rainforest. Trees are used to make furniture and build homes. Rubber comes from the sap of the rubber tree. We use the sap to make rubber balls, boots, tires, and other things. We use the seeds of the fruit from cocoa trees to make chocolate. Some rainforest plants are used to make medicine.

The top layer of a rainforest, called the emergent layer, is made of tall ________.

trees

The middle layer of a rainforest includes the canopy and understory layers. This middle layer is made of small trees with strong ________.

branches

Rubber comes from the ________ of the rubber tree.

sap

We use the seeds of the fruit from cocoa trees to make ________.

chocolate Signup and view all the answers

Some rainforest plants are used to make ________.

medicine Signup and view all the answers

Match the following rainforest layers with their descriptions:

Emergent layer = Made of tall trees with some growing over 200 feet Canopy layer = Middle layer with small trees and strong branches Understory layer = Part of the middle layer with diverse plant life Forest floor = Bottom layer that is wet and muddy Signup and view all the answers

Match the following rainforest animals with their descriptions:

Toucan = Resides in the canopy and understory layers Two-toed sloth = Found in the middle layer of the rainforest Giant anteater = Roams the forest floor Monkeys = Live in the emergent layer Signup and view all the answers

Match the following products with their sources from the rainforest:

Rubber balls, boots, tires = Sap of the rubber tree Chocolate = Seeds of the fruit from cocoa trees Medicine = Derived from certain rainforest plants Furniture and homes = Made from trees in the rainforest Signup and view all the answers

Match the following rainforest features with their characteristics:

Constant buzz from chirping bugs = Heard almost every day in a rainforest Unique plant and animal life in each layer = Characteristic of rainforests having four layers Millions of animals and plants living in rainforests = So abundant that they can't all be counted Rain falling almost daily in a rainforest = Common weather pattern in a rainforest Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their correct completion:

Rainforests can be found in every continent except Antarctica. = True statement about rainforest distribution Rainforests are home to animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth. = Unique biodiversity of rainforests Some have survived for 70 million years. = Statement about the longevity of certain rainforests Trees are used to make furniture and build homes. = Common use of trees from rainforests Signup and view all the answers