The Vertical Forest The rainforest is a four-tiered biohabitat, comprised of an emergent layer, canopy, understory and forest floor.  Suggested Activities: Students can illustrate the rain forest and identify animals that inhabit each tier. Include a discussion of the elements of the layers and the rainforest in general. Also identify the areas ideally suited to the animal’s needs. Student can: Design the perfect animal habitat dwelling Create a real estate ad for the ideal dwelling Distinguish why a tropical forest animal may not find it easy to relocate to our regional trees and forests (or wetlands) Tropical Rainforest Ecology Launch an exploration of animal to plant/tree to human interaction in this environment. Include: A definition of the forest: primary trees, climate and geographic features Description of native trees For example, are the trees evergreen or deciduous? Review the animal populations How do individual animals interact with the forest Catalogue human impacts on animals, vegetation and trees in the region Predict environmental future of the region and outcomes for the animal population. Students will be able to: Formulate hypothesis based on prior knowledge Identify and analyze cause and effect relationships Design and conduct scientific investigations Use writing skills to compare, contrast and evaluate Predict consequences with factual foundations Write persuasively and learn to practice advocacy