1、Unit 1 Nature in the balance Welcome to the unit levels of the rainforest Animal biodiversity; food chain The rainforests value to the human race; threats to the rainforest Step 4 Reading for specific information Read para. 3 carefully and try to understand the rainforests different levels. Of the 3
2、90,000 plant species known to us, more than 40,000 can be found in the Amazon. This tall and ancient brazil nut tree produces nuts that we can eat; these water lilies are big enough to lie down on. The forests different levels support an unbelievable variety of wildlife. At the bottom, there is a sy
3、stem of roots beneath the ground. Above that is the mass of leaf litter on the dark forest floor. The next level is made up of shorter plants with large leaves. Then there are the towering ancient hardwoods, and finally the tops of the tallest trees many metres above the ground. Each level of the fo
4、rest forms its own little world, home to different kinds of living things. a system of roots The forests different levels support an unbelievable variety of wildlife. the tops of the tallest trees the mass of leaf litter shorter plants with large leaves towering ancient hardwoods Read para. 4 carefu
5、lly and try to understand the food chain. More than 1,300 species of birds and over 400 species of mammals hide among the jungles plant life. This jaguar is one example. It has a yellowish-brown coat with black spots. While a significant number of jaguars survive here, they are only one element of t
6、his forests food chain. They feed on at least 87 species, including frogs. These frogs, in turn, feed on insects which eat leaves and fruit. When a jaguar dies, a tiny army of microorganisms helps break down its body and return the nutrients to the earth. Jaguars Insects At least 87 species, includi
7、ng frogs Leaves and fruit Microorganisms While a significant number of jaguars survive here, they are only one element of this forests food chain. The Amazon rainforest As the largest rainforest in the world, it plays a _ role in maintaining the fine balance of the Earths ecosystem. Basic informatio
8、n about the rainforest Plants Birds and mammals It crosses into _ and one overseas region of France. It covers around _ square kilometres. It gets its name from the Amazon River, which is about _ in length. It has the richest _ on the Earth. There are more than _ plant species, including _ _ and _ .
9、 There are more than_ species of birds and over _ species of mammals such as the jaguar. The jaguar is only one _ of the food chain. Values: * It fixes carbon and produces over _of all the Earths oxygen. * It is a treasure house of species that can be used for food or medicine. Threats: About _ of t
10、he rainforest has lost over the past 50 years due to human activities. Value and threats significant eight countries 6 million 6,400 kilometres biodiversity 40,000 ancient brazil nut tree water lilies 1,300 400 element 20% 17% Step 5 Summary What makes the Amazon rainforest a natural treasure according to the script? What is your answer to the question at the end of the script? Can we afford to damage the “lungs of the plant”? Discuss it with your partner. Step 6 Discussion
