JUNGLE JOURNEYS. Teacher Resource Packet

Transcription

1 Fort Wayne Children s Zoo JUNGLE JOURNEYS Teacher Resource Packet Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 1

2 Dear Teachers, Tropical rain forests are among the most ancient and complex ecosystems on earth. Some are more than 60 million years old. The living diversity of these forests is overwhelming. Within the last fifty years, almost half of these tropical forests have been destroyed, and without drastic measures taken soon, we could lose the other half in the next thirty years. The Fort Wayne Children s Zoo is highly concerned about what is happening to tropical rain forests around the world, so we have created Jungle Journeys, an educational program for children. The program is designed to stimulate an appreciation and an awareness of the importance of these quickly disappearing treasures in the minds of our young people. Jungle Journeys is intended for students in grades three to six. The program provides an exciting element that you may incorporate into your classroom curriculum. Through Jungle Journeys, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is helping teachers teach their students about the fascinating ecosystems of the tropical rain forests and their connections to our lives. Our program is two hours in length. However, please allow an extra half an hour to walk to and from the rainforest and for any bus delays. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Jungle Journeys will help children feel the excitement and explore the wonders of the tropical rain forests. Sincerely, Education Department Fort Wayne Children s Zoo Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 2

3 Acknowledgments Special Thanks to Russ Voorhees, Fort Wayne Community Schools; Marla McAfee, Southwest Allen Community Schools; Max Lake, Fort Wayne Community Schools (retired); Patti King, Fort Wayne Community Schools; and Pam George, Northwest Allen County Schools; to Karen Gutwein of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for allowing us to view her classroom activities; and to Maryann Stephenson and Janet Peterson of The Rainforest Connection II from which several Jungle Journeys activities are adapted from with permission. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 3

4 Jungle Journeys Permission Slip Form for Zoo Field Trip Dear Parents, As part of our unit on tropical rain forest, I have scheduled a field trip to the Indonesian Rain Forest at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. The class will participate in the Jungle Journeys Program. The Jungle Journeys Program will allow your child to explore the wonders of a tropical rain forest. Our trip is scheduled for: Day Date Leave School at Return to School at I would like to invite you to be a part of this exciting program by accompanying the class as an adult supervisor. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo requires that I provide one adult supervisor for every eight children attending the program. The cost of Jungle Journeys is $6.00 per person. *Program length is 2 hours. Please allow ½ to assemble and walk to and from the rain forest. Sincerely, has permission to attend the Jungle (Student s Name) Journeys Program at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo on From Date Time Time Parent or Guardian Signature Yes, I would like to volunteer as an adult supervisor for my child s field trip to the Jungle Journeys Program at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. I understand that each adult supervisor will be charged $6.00 for the program. Please return this slip with the fee to the school by Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 4

5 Table of Contents Preparing for your visit to Jungle Journeys.4 Tropical Rain Forest: Background Information.. 7 Pre-Visit Lessons 13 Post-Visit Activities...37 Student Handouts 49 Resources 65 Glossary..73 Evaluation Form.76 Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 5

6 Preparing for your visit Thank you for scheduling a Jungle Journeys program at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Your students will be immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the rain forest during this exciting program. Jungle Journeys programs are available from early November through mid-april. The program can accommodate up to 65 people. Program cost is $6 per person (this count includes adults and chaperones as well as students); $90.00 minimum is required. Teachers & bus drivers are admitted free. There must be one adult supervisor for every 8 children attending Jungle Journeys. Program length is two hours. Please allow an additional 30 minutes for your group to assemble and walk to and from the rain forest exhibit. Many of the hands-on learning activities of the Jungle Journeys programs are taught with a cooperative group in an instructional setting. Before arriving at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, please divide your class into cooperative groups of four to five students. The lessons in this packet were created to prepare your students for Jungle Journeys program. Students should have good background knowledge of tropical rain forests before attending this program. The Jungle Journeys program is intended to reinforce and enrich what students have already learned about tropical rain forests. The Jungle Journeys program and teacher packet was created with students in grades 3-6, the third to sixth grade in mind. Teachers, please feel free to adjust the lessons in this packet to fit your students needs. If you have any questions before or after attending the program, feel free to contact the Zoo Education Department at or education@kidszoo.org. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 6

7 What is a Tropical Rain Forest? Tropical Rain Forests: Background Information for Teacher Tropical rain forests cover only 6 percent of the earth s land area, yet they are home to more than 50 percent (some say up to 90 percent) of the world s plant and animal species. Tropical rain forests once circled the globe in an unbroken belt of green around the equator. In the last two hundred years, this belt has been fragmented into smaller pockets of green in South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. There are many different types of rain forests. Some are found in North America (temperate rain forest); some are semi-deciduous, some even evergreen. In this packet we will only be discussing tropical rain forests, which lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Tropical rain forests receive between 60 to 400 inches of rain per year (compare that to the 36 inches received annually in Northern Indiana). Temperatures usually stay between 70 to 85 degrees, varying little from day to night. Because they are close to the equator, tropical rain forests receive about 12 hours of sunlight each day year round. High temperatures and abundant rainfall create a very humid environment. Humidity may range from 70 percent at night to 95 percent during the day. Layers of Life The plants of the rain forest are arranged in layers. The tallest of trees are called emergents. These giants tower above the rest of the forest, sometimes reaching heights of 200 feet, but usually growing to about 115 to 150 feet tall. Many of these emergents have thick buttresses around the base of the trunk for stability. Trees that are 65 to 100 feet high form the canopy of the rain forest. These trees form a continuous covering over the forest. The canopy is filled with life. The umbrella of branches and leaves provides a home for many rain forest creatures. Below the canopy, in the understory, shrubs and vines grow to heights of 15 feet or so. Only 2 to 5 percent of the sunlight reaches the understory. The forest floor is sheltered, still, and always humid. Vegetation is sparse due to the lack of sunlight and the rapid decay of dead plants and animals. Trees of the Rain Forest Most trees of tropical rain forests are evergreen-they do not lose their leaves each year because there is no change of seasons. The leaves of these evergreen trees are designed for the wet climate of the rain forest: the leaves have a waxy covering to repel water and a pointed drip tip to speed the draining of water. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 7

8 Trees of the rain forest have developed unique root systems. The roots underground are too shallow to support the immense weight of the tree. The trees instead may have stilt roots (such as palms) or buttress roots (such as the kapok tree). Vines of the Rain Forest A liana is a type of vine that sprouts on the forest floor, and then climbs the side of a tree as it reaches for the sunlight. Lianas can reach lengths of 3,000 feet, growing higher that the tree then falling down again, and eventually linking several trees together (thus bringing down several trees if one is cut). The fibers of the liana, called rattan, are used in construction and weaving. Other Rain Forest Plant Life Epiphytes: The word epiphyte comes from the Greek word meaning upon plant. Epiphytes grow on other plants but do not harm their host. Instead, they take all the nutrients they need from rainwater and decaying plants. Examples of epiphytes include mosses, lichens, ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. Orchids are plentiful in the tropical rain forest, with close to 20,000 species. Parasites: Parasites are plants that live off other plants to survive, often killing their host in the process. Some fungi are parasites, as is the strangler fig. Strangler figs begin as epiphytes but when their roots reach the ground, they grow rapidly around their host tree, smothering and eventually killing the tree. Soils of the Rain Forest Despite the fact that the tropical rain forest is filled with abundant plant life, the soil is not very fertile. The nutrients are leached out of the soils by the heavy rains. Most of the rain forest s nutrients are stored in the plants themselves. The roots of rain forest plants are usually concentrated near the surface of the soil, so they can absorb nutrients from rapidly decaying leaf litter on the soil surface. Insects of the Rain Forest It has been estimated that there may be as many as 30,000,000 insect species in the world s tropical rain forests, with only a fraction of these described scientifically and named. Many insects live on the forest floor, such as ants, termites, and centipedes. Some army ants travel in columns of approximately 20,000,000 eating scorpions, millipedes, katydids, cockroaches, and other creatures. Mosquitoes are numerous in the rain forest, and can be carriers of malaria or yellow fever. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 8

9 Butterflies are a common sight in the rain forest. Their colors sometimes act as camouflage to prevent predators from finding the butterflies. Adult butterflies lay eggs on a specific host plant. When the egg hatches, the caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the host plant. After shedding it s skin one final time, the caterpillar is transformed into a chrysalis (pupa). The chrysalis then hatches and the adult butterfly emerges. Other rain forest insects rely on dramatic camouflage to hide from predators: the Malaysian giant walking stick resembles a green twig and may grow to 13 inches in length. Other insects may look like green leaves, or even flowers. Reptiles and Amphibians of the Rain Forest Many snakes and lizards inhibit the canopy, their coloration offering protection from predators. Most snakes are small and thin, allowing easy treetop travel. Other large snakes, like the reticulated python, which may reach a length of more than 30 feet, dwell in the forest floor. Many reptiles and amphibians in Southeast Asia who live in the canopy have adapted to traveling from tree to tree by flying. Flying frogs have large webbed toes that act like parachutes. Flying lizards have flaps of skin on their sides, and the flying snake can flatten its body and glide. Many species of frogs and salamanders live on the forest floor. Birds of the Rain Forest Birds inhabit all levels of the rain forest. The large hornbills of Southeast Asia live in the canopy, feeding on abundant fruit. The swallow fruits whole, passing the seeds in their droppings throughout the forest. Asian sunbirds are similar to hummingbirds, using their long thin beaks to sip nectar from flowers. The understory is home to birds of paradise. The brilliantly colored males gather and dance to attract the plain colored females. In Asia, the forest floor is home to peacocks, pheasants, and the jungle fowl, which is the ancestor of all modern domestic chickens. Mammals of the Rain Forest Mammals inhabit all levels of the rain forest. The canopy is home to the primates such as monkeys, gibbons, and orangutans. With their limbs well adapted for climbing, these animals can spend nearly all their time in the trees feeding and even sleeping there. The orangutan lives only on the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra, where it feeds on tender leaves. Many bats live in the rain forests. Most feed on fruit, and assist with both pollination and seed dispersal. Large animals like the leopard, tiger, and elephants live on the forest floor. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 9

10 Tropical Rain Forest: Did you know. *Tropical rain forests cover about 6 percent of the earth s landmass. Two hundred years ago, they covered 20 [percent of the earth s land surface. *More than half (some say up to 90%) of all plant and animal species on earth are found in rain forests. *One fourth of all medicines in use today are derived from plants. Seventy percent of the plants containing compounds useful in cancer treatment are found only in rain forests. Yet less than one percent of tropical rain forest plants have been thoroughly studied for their chemical compounds. *Each year, an area the size of the state of New York-over 30,000 square miles-of tropical rain forest is destroyed. At the present rate of destruction (about one acre per second), the remaining rain forest could be depleted by the year *The country of Indonesia is home to one-sixth of the world s fish species, 10 percent of the world s flowering plant species, and 12 percent of the world s mammal species, making it one of the planet s most important centers of biodiversity. A typical 4 square mile area of rain forest contains: 1500 species of flowering plants 750 species of trees 125 species of mammals 400 species of birds 60 species of amphibians 150 species of butterflies *It is a common myth that rain forests are the lungs of the world. While it is true that rain forests produce vast amounts of oxygen through photosynthesis, they consume as much as they produce in the decay of organic matter. Rain forests do play a critical role in our atmosphere, though, because they hold huge amounts of carbon in their vegetation. When the rain forest is burned, or the trees are cut and left to decay, the carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This is the second largest factor contributing to the greenhouse effect. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 10

11 Rain Forests: Problems and Solutions Everyone knows that the rain forests are being cut down in countries all over the world. Growing populations are putting tremendous pressure on these great resources. The governments of these countries often see rain forests as solutions to their problems of overcrowding, poor economic growth, and food for the hungry. Slash-and-burn agriculture is sometimes the only alternative for a poor family. Until other methods of farming are found and put into practice, deforestation of the tropics is likely to continue. What are the problems? Slash-and-burn Agriculture: Up to 20 million acres of tropical rain forest are cleared each year for farming. In earlier times, when populations were smaller, small plots of cleared forest had time to regenerate. Today, population pressures are greater. Too much forest is cut to allow for regrowth. Soils erode and the land loses fertility. Logging: Commercial logging operations cut hardwoods for export abroad. Most logging though, id for firewood or charcoal, which are used as cooking fuels. Cattle Ranching: Abandoned farms are often converted to cattle ranches. But because the soil is so poor, it cannot support enough vegetation for profitable ranching. Illegal Wildlife Trade: The demand for exotic pets and products has created a thriving black market in illegal wildlife trade. Many rain forests are losing species to this trade. Hydroelectric Projects: The need for inexpensive electricity and the creation of jobs leads to many countries to build hydroelectric dams. Huge amounts of rain forest are flooded, displacing native wildlife and people. What are the Solutions? Protecting Habitats: Identifying and protecting critical habitats by creating national parks and reserves can help save wildlife. Laws must be enforced and the support of local people must be gained. Restoring Endangered Species to the Wild: Reintroducing endangered animals to protected area of their native habitat can restore once-extinct populations. Stopping Illegal Trade: Close monitoring of wildlife trade and enforcement of laws can help protect endangered animals. Education and Training: Helping local citizens understand the importance of conservation activities creates support for wildlife conservation. Research: Scientists do not know all there is to know about rain forests. Research must be on going to develop effective programs. What can we do? *Become better informed about the issues surrounding rain forest conservation. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 11

12 *Write letters to your senators and representatives urging them to support legislation and programs that may benefit tropical rain forests. *Don t buy animals or plants that are illegally taken from the wild. *Recycle. *Save a space for wildlife in your schoolyard or backyard. *Raise money to support conservation groups that are working to save rain forests. MOTHER FOREST Half of all the wildlife That is found upon the earth, Can be seen among her branches.. Thank her for cradle for their birth. There is layer after layer Of life within her trees So, treat her very gently And shelter that life, please. Be friends to Mother Forest. It is sure that if you do, All residents of Earth will owe, A debt of thanks to you. By Melinda Eckhart Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 12

13 Pre-Visit Lessons Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 13

14 Background Information: Day One Tropical Rain Forests Discovery: An Introduction to Tropical Rain Forests Tropical Rain Forest-Habitats with a relatively tight canopy, or closed canopy, of mostly broad-leaved evergreen trees. Poor soil, warm temperatures, high humidity, and lots of rainfall characterize these forests. Time: Approximately 30 minutes Objectives: Tropical Rain Forest Discovery: An Introduction to Tropical Rain Forests 1. Students will be introduced to the concept of tropical rain forests. 2. Students will use guided imagery to visualize being in a tropical rain forest. Vocabulary: Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Forest Habitat Evergreen Deciduous Canopy Materials: 1. Tropical rain forest visualization script 2. Cassette tape of tropical rain forest sounds 3. Cassette tape recorder/player 4. Crayons, markers, or colored pencils 5. 9 x 12 white construction paper 6. Student handout, Tropical Rain Forests: Did you know 7. Chart paper for class recording chart or concept map 8. Tablet or writing paper for journal Introduction: Ask students to relax and get comfortable. Play the cassette tape of tropical rain forest sounds. Ask students to listen to the sounds and imagine the characteristics of a place that would have such sounds. Once all the students are settled, ask them to close their eyes and listen to your Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 14

15 voice as you read a short passage to them (visualization script). Continue to play the tape softly in the background. This activity stimulates the children to think about the general topic of tropical rain forests. Some students may wish to share their experience and what they might have felt after the reading. Procedure: Choose one of these Activities: A. Recording chart: Construct a chart similar to the one below. Work as a class in recalling what things they already know about tropical rain forests and write them on the chart. Brainstorm what they want to know, record responses. Then after each new lesson, record what students have learned about rain forests. What we know What we want to know What we have learned B. Develop a concept map for the topic Tropical Rain Forest. This will help students organize information. You may wish to add to the concept map as students learn new information. Tropical Rain Forest Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 15

16 C. Daily Journal Writing: Have students create a journal and write what they already know about rain forests, and what they would like to know as their first entry in the journal. Have students write an additional entry after each lesson to add new information that they have learned about tropical rain forests. You may also want students to include new vocabulary words in their journals. After students have completed one of the above, lead students through a brief discussion and provide background information that will aid students in further developing the concept for tropical rain forests. Ask students. What is a tropical rain forest? Describe a tropical rain forest. How is a tropical rain forest different from a temperate forest? Distribute student handout, Tropical Rain Forests: Did you know. Read and discuss the amazing facts about tropical rain forests. Closure: On 9 x 12 white construction paper, have students create a picture of a tropical rain forest based on what they know and have learned about tropical rain forests. You may wish to play the cassette tape of tropical rain forest sound to stimulate visualization of tropical rain forests. Have students draw what they imagine a tropical rain forest would look like. Extension: Have students collect newspaper and magazine articles about tropical rain forest issues. Display in classroom. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 16

17 Tropical Rain Forest Visualization Script Close your eyes. Imagine that you are lying on your tent on the floor of a giant rain forest where the trees tower over you. The morning sounds wake you up. The barking calls if howler monkeys and the rustling of branches as they jump from limb to limb. The constant drone of cicadas, a wonderful chorus of birdcalls and songs-delicate, harsh, melodic, raucous, soaring, and the scratching sounds of lizards moving through the leaf litter outside the tent. Even through the netting, all you see is green, in every shape imaginable. The air feels heavy and moist waiting for the clouds to spill their morning shower. It s rather damp and clammy in the tent. The sun doesn t reach this spot. You can smell the dampness of the soil and its leaf litter covering, rotting fruit on the ground, and blossoms hanging low on a bush. You leave your tent and are now standing in the forest. It is still very dark because the leaves of the tall trees touch each other forming an umbrella that lets little sunlight reach you on the forest floor. While there is no sun to make you hot, your body feels wet and water droplets are forming on your face and arms. The temperatures must be 75 to 80 degrees here on the forest floor, and even hotter up in the canopy. You hear drops of rain falling through the top of the forest. While you can hear the rain, you feel very little, because as the umbrella like canopy blocks the sun, it also breaks the rainfall and little reaches you on the forest floor. Look around you. All you see is green everywhere. But look up, through the ceiling of leaves, and you see many vines with bright flowers that add color to the green leaves and mosses. Look at the bright blues, greens, reds, and yellows of the butterflies and hummingbirds visiting the flowers, and listen to the buzzing of the bees as they fly among the flowers in search of sweet nectar and pollen. Look at the lizards racing up and down the tree trunks and the ten-foot long snake wrapped around the branch twenty feet up in the air. See the flying squirrels gliding from tree branch to tree branch. Listen to the sounds of the rain forest, the monkeys howling, the insects buzzing and the birds calling. Listen also to the silence that comes when an intruder arrives. This is the tropical rain forest: hot, humid, noisy, and quiet, windless on the forest floor and blowing in the canopy. It s alive and teeming with life and all the processes that make up that life. It s something you feel; you don t have to be told about it. This is the land of paradise. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 17

18 Day Two Where in the World are the Tropical Rain Forests? Background Information: Tropical Rain Forest are found in a broad band that reaches about 1600 miles north and 1600 miles south of the equator, between the Tropic of cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. About 6 percent of the earth s land mass is covered with these forests. The largest area of tropical rain forest is found in the Amazon region of South America (33%). In the Zaire area of Central Africa 10% of the rain forests are found and another 10% is found in Indonesia. Tropical rain forests are also found in parts of Mexico, Central America and in the archipelago that reaches from Southeast Asia to Australia. Our own country (U.S.) has small regions of rain forests in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tropical rain forests, because of their location around the equator, experience twelvehour days year round. The sun s rays are more direct than in temperate regions and provide more intense sunlight. The average temperature of a rain forest is 75 degrees F. It rarely gets cooler than 60 degrees F or hotter than 95 degrees F. Humidity is high due to high temperatures and plenty of rainfall. Tropical rain forests receive 60 to 400 inches of rain a year. Time: Approximately 30 minutes Objectives: Where in the World are Tropical Rain Forests? 1. Students will identify and locate on a map the continents of the world. 2. Students will identify and locate on a map the tropical rain forests of the world. 3. Students will learn that a rain forest s climate conditions are due to its location. Vocabulary: Equator Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Europe Asia Africa Australia Antarctica Continent North America South America Climate Humidity Rainfall Average Temperature Tropics Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 18

19 Materials: 1. World map, globe, or world atlas (1 for each student group) 2. Student handout, Tropical Rain Forest Around the World 3. Extension-student handout, Tropical Rain Forests Introduction: Explain to children that now that they have a better understanding of what tropical rain forests are, it is important to know where they are the worldwide. The location of these forests is a vital factor in what makes them tropical rain forests. Procedure: For this activity, students should work in cooperative groups of four or five students. Give each student a copy of Tropical Rain Forests Around the World. Each group should be given a globe, world map, or world atlas. world. Instruct the groups to use the given resources to locate and label the continents of the You may also want students to locate and label major oceans and the countries where rain forests are located. Allow enough time for groups to research the information and label their maps. Monitor the group s progress. When all groups have finished the assignment, have a representative from each group report their findings to the class. Closure: Extension: Discuss with students the importance of rain forest s location along the equator. Student handout, Tropical Rain Forests Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 19

20 Background Information: Day Three Tropical Rain Forests: Layers of Life Tropical rain forests are complex ecosystems made up of four different vegetation layers. These layers are identified as the emergents, canopy, understory, and the forest floor. Conditions vary within each layer, and these conditions dictate the types of plants there and the kinds of animal life that will live or visit there. Many rain forest creatures find their niche by living in one layer or another. Some live only in specific areas, but others will be found moving up and down between two or more layers. The Emergent Layer consists of trees ranging in height from 115 to 200 feet tall. These trees with their umbrella-shaped crowns are the tallest and usually the oldest trees of the forest. These trees receive the most sunlight and are buffered by the strongest winds. Examples of animal s life in the emergent layer include birds, insects, and arboreal mammals (mammals that have adapted to life in trees, such as monkeys and flying squirrels), as well as lizards and snakes. The Canopy consists of flat crowned-trees, vines and other plants. The canopy rises some 65 to 100 feet above the forest floor. These trees form a continuous covering over the forest. The upper parts of these trees are subject to hot rays of the sun, heavy rains, and strong winds. Most of the animal species of the entire rain forest live in the canopy and find food here. It is home to monkeys, and other mammals, birds, reptiles and countless insects. The Understory is a tangle of seedlings, saplings, bushes and shrubs that grow approximately 10 to 20 feet high. The environment in this layer is one of diffused light, high humidity, and stable temperatures. Most of the animals that live in this layer live upwards near the canopy. The Forest Floor is very sheltered, dark, still, and always humid. Vegetation is sparse due to the lack of sunlight and the rapid decay of dead plants and animals. Most of the large rain forest animals live on the ground. Some of the animals that live on the forest floor are frogs, salamanders, snakes, wild pigs and deer. Time: Approximately 30 minutes Objectives: Tropical Rain Forests: Layers of Life 1. Students will identify the four vegetation layers of a tropical rain forest. 2. Students will describe several characteristics of each level of the tropical rain forest. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 20

21 Vocabulary: Environment Ecosystem Niche Emergent Canopy Understory Forest Floor Materials: Pictures of tropical rain forest landscapes Student handout, -stand-up display Layers of the Rain Forest Introduction: Introduce students to the four vegetation layers of the tropical rain forest by displaying a picture of a tropical rain forest. Explain to students that a tropical rain forest has four distinct layers of plant life, however, in a rain forest s natural setting the division between the layers may not always be easily recognized. These layers are commonly known as the emergent, canopy, understory and forest floor. Conditions within each of these layers vary, and these conditions dictate the type of plant and animal life found within each layer. Procedure: Use the overhead transparencies of the four vegetation layers as a visual aid and discuss with your students the characteristics of each layer of a tropical rain forest. Closure: Allow each student to construct a stand-up display of the four vegetation layers. This will aid students in identifying the four layers of a rain forest. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 21

22 Day Four Tropical Rain Forests: Soil and Plant Adaptations Background Information: Soil in the rain forest is poor and very weathered. It is very old soil, million of years old. There aren t many nutrients in the soil. What is not washed away by the intense rainfall is contained within the living plants and animals. The decomposition cycle in a tropical rain forest occurs quickly. Once an animal or plant dies, decomposer quickly breaks it down into usable nutrients, which are reabsorbed by living vegetation. Most trees in rain forests are evergreen. They do not lose their leaves each year because there is no change in seasons. Although there is a vast number of different species of trees found in the rain forest, their leaves are relatively similar in shape. The leaves of these trees are designed for the wet climate. The leaves have a waxy covering to repel water and a pointed drip tip to speed the draining of water. The rapid drying also helps prevent growth of other organisms on the leaf s surface and allows the leaf to conserve nutrients that might otherwise be lost to leaching. The sizes of the tree s leaves tend to grow in relation to sunlight. Leaves below the canopy usually grow very large where sunlight is scarce, and the leaves at the top of the canopy and emergent layer are much smaller because light is plentiful. Trees of the rain forest have developed unique root systems to deal with the poor quality of soil. Their root systems are very close to the surface. Trees in the rain forest may have stilt roots (such as the palm) or buttress roots (such as the kapok tree). These root systems help the trees to keep standing and capture water and nutrients for growth. Other plants adapt to the low light conditions of the lower levels of the tropical rain forest by growing upon or living in other trees. Epiphytes grow on other plants but do not harm their host. They take all the nutrients they need from rainwater and decaying plants. Examples of epiphytes include mosses, lichens, ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. Parasites are plants that live off other plants to survive, often killing their host in the process. Some fungi are parasites, as is the strangler fig. Time: Approximately 40 minutes Tropical Rain Forests: Soil and Plant Adaptations Objectives: 1. Students will gain an understanding of the significance of tropical rain forest soil. 2. Students will develop an understanding of the variety of plants in the rain forest. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 22

23 3. Students will be able to identify and describe plant adaptations to life in the tropical rain forest. 4. Students will be able to understand the importance of plant adaptations for survival in the rain forest. Vocabulary: Adaptation Nutrients Decompose Soil Species Epiphytes Photosynthesis Drip-tip Bromeliad Lianas (vines) Stilt roots Buttress Strangler Fig Parasite Erosion Materials: 1. Pictures of plants from the rain forest 2. Student handout, Leaf Shapes 3. Light green construction paper 4. Water 5. Shallow bowl 6. String 7. Paper clips 8. Student handout, Blooming Bromeliads and pattern 9. Toilet paper rolls 10. Green and blue construction paper 11. Art supplies-pencil, scissors, clear tape, glue, crayons or markers -OR- 1. Student handout, Create a Plant 2. 9 x 12 white construction paper 3. Crayons, markers or colored pencils Introduction: Discuss with students the characteristics of tropical rain forest soil. -Old soil, millions of years old -Poor and weathered, little to no nutrients -Will erode quickly if trees and plant life are taken away After students have learned the characteristics of tropical rain forest soil, the concept of plant adaptations is easily addressed. Introduce the term adaptation to students-a physical or behavioral feature of a plant or animal that helps it survive in its environment. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 23

24 Display pictures of plants from the rain forest and use overhead transparencies of plant adaptations to help discuss with students types of plants and plant adaptations. Procedure: Briefly discuss with your students the importance of leaf shape and size in the rain forest. In this next activity, students should work in cooperative groups of four or five. Pass out student handout, Leaf Shapes. Explain to students that they will be doing an experiment to see how the shape of a leaf effects drying time. Have students count the squares and half squares inside each leaf shape. Both leaves have the same surface area, 159 squares. Instruct students to cut out both leaves A and B. Tell the students to trace the leaves onto light green construction paper. Cut the leaves out and soak them in water for 30 seconds. Direct students to quickly hang up both leaves at the same time, broad end up, on a horizontal string to dry and observe. Tell them to observe which one drips and dries faster. Suggest that they place paper under the leaves to see the drops. Leaf A should drip-dry faster. The drier parts of each leaf will be noticeably lighter in color, especially after a minute or two. Discuss which leaf shape would be better adapted for a tropical rain forest plant. Choose one of these activities: A. Blooming Bromeliads: Explain to children that bromeliads are epiphytes, plants that grow on other plants but do not harm their host. Instead they take all the nutrients they need from rainwater and decaying plants. Some of the bigger bromeliads are leafy, lush, mini-habitats that make perfect homes for frogs, insects, snakes, and other animals. Give each student Blooming Bromeliads patters and various art supplies. Construct bromeliads. B. Design a Plant: This activity will reinforce what students have learned about plant adaptations. Students will create a tropical rain forest plant based on the adaptations discussed. Give each student a copy of Design a Plant student handout and white construction paper. Students should read the information and ask any questions they might have about the information. Allow students time to create their plants using various art supplies. Closure: Encourage labeling of special adaptations for life in a rain forest that become incorporated into their plants. When all students are finished with their plant designs, have them share their creations with the class. Review common adaptations of tropical rain forest plants. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 24

25 Background Information: Day Five Animals of the Tropical Rain Forest All animals have special features that enable them to adapt to their environment, teeth, muscle structure, bone structure, feet, skin covering, ears, nose, etc. Many of these specialized features protect them from predators. Several animals use camouflage as a strategy for survival. Animals can avoid being eaten if they can avoid being seen. A moth that resembles bark on a dead leaf is safe on a tree. Some snakes look like vines or part of the tree. Other animals do not try to blend in with their environment but advertise themselves with bright colors. Bright colors are warnings to would-be predators that the animals are poisonous or distasteful. The red and blue colors of some poison dart frogs warn predators to stay away. Mimicry is another strategy for survival. By resembling a poisonous or distasteful animal, predators will avoid it. This strategy has kept many insects from the claws of birds. Animals of the Tropical Rain Forest Time: Approximately 20 minutes plus time for research and sharing Objectives: 1. Students will learn how an animal s adaptations help it survive in its environment. 2. Students will do research and report information learned about an animal of the rain forest. 3. Students will be able to identify and describe several animals and their adaptations to life in the rain forest. Vocabulary: Camouflage Mimicry Survival Predator Poisonous Materials: 1. Picture of tropical rain forest animals 2. Student handout, Research Guide 3. Art supplies, white construction paper, colored-pencils, markers or crayons Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 25

26 Introduction: Display pictures of rain forest animals and discuss their specialized features that help them survive. Procedure: Animal Research: Have student research an animal that makes its home in the rain forests. (See list of topics below). Allow students an appropriate amount of time to do research. Closure: Have students share the information they learned with the class. Suggested topics for research: lesser mouse deer blue morpho butterfly rhinoceros beetle Raja Brooke s birdwing butterfly orangutan great hornbill colugo draco Sumatran rhinoceros three-toed sloth Sumatran tiger Asian elephant slow loris bearded pig ocelot Komodo dragon reticulated python Wallace s flying frog poison dart frog Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 26

27 Background Information: Day Six People of the Tropical Rain Forest The rain forests are home to many indigenous people as well as plants and animals. In the northwestern part of the Amazon basin the Yakuno Indians live. Among the Xingu River in Central Brazil the Kayapo farm the land. Mayans live in the forests of Central America. Mbuti pygmies and members of the Baka and Efe tribes make their homes in Central Africa. The Iua people live in the rain forests of Thailand, and the Penan populate the tropical forests of Borneo. The rain forest people have lived in these forests for thousands of years. They have learned to live in harmony with it. They hunt its game, fish its waters, gather its fruits, and dig its roots. They use its vegetation to make shelters, tools, and medicines. People who are native to the forests are disappearing with the trees. Lost with them are many secrets of the rain forest, which were once passed from generation to generation. This information could be used to develop new medicines and new foods to benefit all people. Loss of tropical rain forests is a loss of a way of life for these people of the rain forests. Time: Approximately 30 minutes Objectives: People of the Tropical Rain Forests 1. Students will gain insight into the lives of people native to tropical rain forests. 2. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of indigenous rain forest people to the tropical rain forest ecosystem. 3. Students will infer what life, as a native to a rain forest might resemble. Vocabulary: Indigenous Materials: 1. Pictures of indigenous people of various regions of tropical rain forests. 2. *Audio tape of child who describes life on the Mentawai Islands 3. Audio cassette recorder/player Introduction: Collect and display pictures of indigenous people from various regions of tropical rain forests. Discuss pictures and the peoples way of life. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 27

28 Procedure: Ask children to listen as you play an audiocassette recording of a child who lives in a tropical rain forest on the Mentawai Islands. After the tape has played, discuss with your students what it would be like to live in a rain forest. Closure: Have students write a short paragraph expressing their thoughts on how it would be to live as the native people of the tropical rain forests. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 28

29 Day Seven Biodiversity Background Information: Rain forests are home to a huge variety of plants and animals. It is estimated that these ecosystems are home to anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of all species on earth. This concentration of species results in an incredibly diverse array of life in the rain forests. In a single acre of tropical rain forest, more than 200 species of trees may be present. Only a few specimens of each species are scattered throughout this acre. Because each tree may have a specific pollinator (insect, mammal, or bird), this creates an even more diverse environment. This diversity can protect the forest in the event of a natural disaster, such as disease: if one or two species are susceptible, only a few per acre may be lost. But this very diversity has a down side too: a single species of a tree may be the sole support of several insect species. When the tree is gone, there are no other individuals of that species nearby to assume its role. Therefore, the fauna associated with it have nowhere to turn because of their specific adaptations for that singletree species. Temperate forests, like those found in Indiana and much of the northeastern quarter of the United States, are less diverse than tropical rain forests. Less than ten species of trees are typically found within a single acre. Each tree species is represented by a large number of specimens. Time: Approximately 20 minutes Objectives: Biodiversity 1. Students will learn about the concept of diversity as it applies to ecosystems. 2. Students will compare the diversity of a typical temperate forest with that of a tropical rain forest. Vocabulary: Diversity Biodiversity Materials: 1. Bags of 15 bean soup mix (dried beans) 2. Bags of 3 bean soup mix (dried beans) 3. Empty film canisters or baby food jars 4. Student handout, Biodiversity Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 29

30 Introduction: Provide each student (or team of students) with two film canisters: one canister labeled A filled with 3 bean soup mix (this canister represents a temperate forest) one canister labeled B filled with the 15 bean soup mix (this canister represents a tropical rain forest). Do not tell your students which forest each canister represents. Procedure: Ask the students to choose one of their canisters. Tell them that each type of bean in the canister represents one tree species. Dump out the beans and sort them by type. Have the children count the number of different types of beans. How many of each type of bean are present in the canister? Have students record their results on student handout, Biodiversity. Do the same with the other canisters. Have children compare their results. Closure: Discussion: Which canister would represent the rain forest? Which would represent a temperate forest? Which one is more diverse? Ask students what would happen if half of each tree species in the rain forest were destroyed? How would this affect the animals that depend on these trees? Which ecosystem is more stable? Why? Which would have more difficulty returning to its original state once disturbed? Can you see why tropical rain forests are so fragile? Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 30

31 Background Information: Days Eight and Nine Products form the Tropical Rain Forest: Tropical Treasure Probably our most direct connections to tropical rain forests are through its products. Many products of the tropical rain forest are items we take for granted and use everyday. Many foods are imported from rain forest areas or originated in or near the rain forests. It has been estimated that less than 20 plant species produce most of the world s food. Many imported food crops like rice, corn, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, bananas, and oranges originated from tropical rain forest areas. Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg are also from rain forests. Coffee originated in the mountainous tropical rain forests of Ethiopia, sugar cane from Indonesia, chocolate from the Amazon basin and bananas, oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, and tea from Southeast Asia. About one fourth of the medicines found in our pharmacies are derived from plants in tropical rain forests. Tropical plants have been used to treat many illnesses of the world s population. The rosy periwinkle produces a substance used to combat childhood leukemia. Diosgenin, which is made from rain forest plants in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize, is the active ingredient in cortisone. Of the 3,000 plant species in the world that are known to contain anticancer properties, 70% are grown in the tropics. Natural rubber comes from rain forests. Rubber, gums, and resins give us surgical gloves, balloons, band-aids, sporting goods, tires, sneakers and even bubble gum. From tropical plants we get wood and fiber for items like furniture and insulation. From palm oil we obtain ingredients for margarine, cooking oil, baking goods, soap, candles, and mayonnaise. Products from the Tropical Rain Forest: Tropical Treasures Time: 2 days- approximately 20 minutes and approximately 30 minutes Objectives: 1. Students will be able to identify products that originated in or are from tropical rain forests. 2. Students will be bale to identify products that can be taken from rain forests with out any harm to the forests. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 31

32 3. Students will begin to identify connections between rain forests and their daily lives. Vocabulary: Resin Gums Rosy Periwinkle Materials: 1. Student handout, Nothing from the Tropical Rain Forest Today 2. Various products from the tropical rain forests 3. Various food ingredients 4. Student handout, Tropical Rain Forest Menu 5. Student handout, Tropical Rain Forest Products Introduction: Give students Nothing from the Rain Forest Today student handout, and have them try to fill in the blanks of the story, using the list of words at the bottom of the sheet. When children are finished, have a volunteer read the answers. Procedure: Collect and display a variety of products from the rain forest and lead a discussion about the importance of tropical rain forest products in our daily lives. Give each child a copy of Tropical Rain Forest Products. Read over the list of products with the students. Have students take the survey sheet home, where their parents can help them find products on the survey sheet found in their home. (You may want to ask for volunteers to bring in ingredients for the tropical feast). Closure: Day Nine Tally results from the Tropical Rain Forest Products survey sheet. Discuss results. For this activity, students may work in cooperative groups of four or five students. Pass out a copy of Prepare a Tropical Rain Forest Menu student handout to each group of students. Have students read over the recipe they will be preparing. Have students prepare their food for the feast. Enjoy the delicious food from the tropical rain forest. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 32

33 Day Ten Tropical Rain Forests: Problems and Solutions Background Information: Tropical rain forests are rich and teeming with the diversity of life, but unfortunately the world s rain forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Population growth, poverty, foreign debt, and multilateral aid are all underlying causes of tropical deforestation. Vast areas of rain forest are being lost to mining, slash-and-burn agriculture, logging, urban development and industry. The world has already lost half of its tropical rain forest, and it has been estimated that if the loss of rain forests continues at its present rate, most of the rain forests could be gone by the end of the century. The world is losing approximately 35 million acres of tropical rain forest a year. That s over 60 acres a minute, or an acre a second. As the tropical rain forests are disappearing, so are the people who call these areas home. Along with them go their cultural customs and traditions. Medicines from plants that could save lives may never be discovered. Only 1 percent of the plants in the rain forests have been thoroughly studied for their chemical compounds and value to medical science. Many of the products that we use in our daily lives originated or come from these forests. Without these forests we could lose many of these products and vast amounts of animal species will become extinct if the rain forests are destroyed. It has been estimated that 17,000 species of plants and animals become extinct each year with deforestation of the rain forests. That s 48 species every day, 2 an hour. The destruction of the tropical rain forests affects us all. All species of life are bound by a complex system of interdependence. Each time a species is removed, the foundation of life grows weaker. How many trees can we afford to lose? We can all take action to save the world s rain forest. We can become better informed about the issues surrounding tropical rain forest conservation. We can raise money to support conservation groups that are working to save rain forests. We can write letters to our senators and representatives, urging them to support legislation and programs that may benefit tropical rain forests. Don t buy animals or plants that are taken illegally from the wild, and only buy tropical rain forest products that can be taken from rain forests without harm to them. Recycle and conserve energy. Save a space for wildlife in your school or backyard. Most importantly, spread the word of the importance of tropical rain forests. Fort Wayne Children s Zoo 33