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The Maya settled in an area known as Central or Middle America. They mainly settled in the modern countries of Mexico and Guatemala. A peninsula was nearby which later helped with trade and many cities were established there. It is called the Yucatan Peninsula. You can see that area outlined on the map on your study guide (in yellow).
The Maya settled in an area known as Central or Middle America. They mainly settled in the modern countries of Mexico and Guatemala. A peninsula was nearby which later helped with trade and many cities were established there. It is called the Yucatan Peninsula. You can see that area outlined on the map on your study guide (in yellow).
The land was mostly made up of a rain forest with some mountains, rolling hills, grassland, and plateaus. A plateau is a raised area of level land.
The land was mostly made up of a rain forest with some mountains, rolling hills, grassland, and plateaus. A plateau is a raised area of level land.
The climate in this region is tropical because it is so close to the Equator. A rain forest is located here. A rain forest is hot and humid, and gets at least 80" of rain per year. Mountains in the area can get cold at the top but usually the temperature stays warm year-round - even in winter.
The climate in this region is tropical because it is so close to the Equator. A rain forest is located here. A rain forest is hot and humid, and gets at least 80" of rain per year. Mountains in the area can get cold at the top but usually the temperature stays warm year-round - even in winter.
Rain Forest
Rain Forest
A rain forest is found in a tropical climate close to the Equator. A tropical rain forest receives more than 80 inches of rain a year. It is also home to a huge variety of plants and animals. In fact, over half of all the plants and animals are found in a rain forest. Contrary to what most believe, a rain forest is not always good place to grow crops or raise animals. The plants & large trees grow up and form a canopy at the top. This canopy allows little sunlight in. Also, large amounts of rain at one time can flood crops or wash away seeds that have been planted.
A rain forest is found in a tropical climate close to the Equator. A tropical rain forest receives more than 80 inches of rain a year. It is also home to a huge variety of plants and animals. In fact, over half of all the plants and animals are found in a rain forest. Contrary to what most believe, a rain forest is not always good place to grow crops or raise animals. The plants & large trees grow up and form a canopy at the top. This canopy allows little sunlight in. Also, large amounts of rain at one time can flood crops or wash away seeds that have been planted.
However, a rain forest has many other amazing resources to offer. Over 25% of natural medicines have been discovered in rain forests.
However, a rain forest has many other amazing resources to offer. Over 25% of natural medicines have been discovered in rain forests.
At one time, rain forests covered 14% of the world's surface. Now due to deforestation they only cover 6%. Deforestation is cutting down or clearing the trees on a large scale. At one time, countries damaged or destroyed rain forests by using them for natural resources to sell and make money. Today, countries are taking special care of their rain forests so they are not completely destroyed. Rain forests are definitely fragile. Fragile means something that is easily damaged, broken, or detroyed.
At one time, rain forests covered 14% of the world's surface. Now due to deforestation they only cover 6%. Deforestation is cutting down or clearing the trees on a large scale. At one time, countries damaged or destroyed rain forests by using them for natural resources to sell and make money. Today, countries are taking special care of their rain forests so they are not completely destroyed. Rain forests are definitely fragile. Fragile means something that is easily damaged, broken, or detroyed.
L A Y E R S
Emergent Layer = E
Emergent Layer = E
The emergent layer is the highest layer and has tree tops that rise above everything else. It gets the most sun and rain and is much windier than other levels so it isn't the best place for animals to call home. The tallest trees can reach 230 feet. Colorful birds and butterflies fly above the trees. Small mammals also swing through the branches.
The emergent layer is the highest layer and has tree tops that rise above everything else. It gets the most sun and rain and is much windier than other levels so it isn't the best place for animals to call home. The tallest trees can reach 230 feet. Colorful birds and butterflies fly above the trees. Small mammals also swing through the branches.
Canopy Layer = C
Canopy Layer = C
The canopy is made up of thick branches and leaves of tall trees (90-120 feet tall). It is the dominant layer. It is sunny and wet. The thick branches form an umbrella over the layers below. These branches block 70% of sun and rain from reaching the floor. This also protects the forest beneath from erosion. More plants and animals live in this layer than any other. This is also the loudest layer with animals making lots of noise, especially birds. Many animals fly from tree branch to tree branch like monkeys and sloths.
The canopy is made up of thick branches and leaves of tall trees (90-120 feet tall). It is the dominant layer. It is sunny and wet. The thick branches form an umbrella over the layers below. These branches block 70% of sun and rain from reaching the floor. This also protects the forest beneath from erosion. More plants and animals live in this layer than any other. This is also the loudest layer with animals making lots of noise, especially birds. Many animals fly from tree branch to tree branch like monkeys and sloths.
Understory Layer = U
Understory Layer = U
The understory is made up of small, thin trees and leafy shrubs that like lots of shade. These smaller trees and bushes also help fight erosion which is when the rain causes soil to be washed away. Some of these trees are waiting for a gap to appear so they can grow up and earn a place in the canopy layer. It is warm, damp, and sheltered in this layer. Large predators might climb and hide here to pounce on their prey like jaguars and leopards.
The understory is made up of small, thin trees and leafy shrubs that like lots of shade. These smaller trees and bushes also help fight erosion which is when the rain causes soil to be washed away. Some of these trees are waiting for a gap to appear so they can grow up and earn a place in the canopy layer. It is warm, damp, and sheltered in this layer. Large predators might climb and hide here to pounce on their prey like jaguars and leopards.
Floor Layer = F
Floor Layer = F
The floor is the darkest and dampest layer, in some places only 2% sunlight reaches this level. Dead leaves cover the ground along with rotting wood, and twigs. Many insects and fungi can be found here as well as the largest animals like jaguars or tigers. It is also the quietest layer as animals sneak around in the dark making very little noise.
The floor is the darkest and dampest layer, in some places only 2% sunlight reaches this level. Dead leaves cover the ground along with rotting wood, and twigs. Many insects and fungi can be found here as well as the largest animals like jaguars or tigers. It is also the quietest layer as animals sneak around in the dark making very little noise.
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