Tropical Rainforest

Rain forests of Planet Vesta are located near the Central Girth in the tropical zone of the planet. Tropical rainforests are warm, lush, and moist environments rich in plant and animal species. The rainforests receive approximately 400 inches of rain per year. Temperatures are constant in these areas, ranging between 70 degrees and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tropical rainforests are made up of four layers: emergent layer, canopy layer, understory, and forest floor. The emergent layer is the “roof” of the forest. Trees thrust above the dense greens of the canopy layer and sit above the forest. These trees receive the most sunlight. The second layer is the canopy layer. This layer is made up of dense crown-light trees and grows to approximately 70 feet above the ground. 90% of the rainforest organisms are found in the canopy layer. The understory is the third layer of the rainforest. It is dark and receives little sunlight. It is open and made up of young plants. The last layer of the forest is its floor. The forest floor receives almost no sunlight and little life is found in this layer. The floor is covered with decomposing fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches. Some decaying organic matter can also be found on the forest floor. Primary productivity in the rainforest is approximately 9000 Kilocalories per square meter per year. This calculates to approximately 25 Kilocalories per square meter per day.

Primary Producers

Paon Trop Fern is common plant found in the rainforests. Its leaves are massive and can grow up to 20 feet long. The fern itself grows up to 30 feet in height. It is capable of survival in the dimly-lit rainforest and can be found in various living environments of the tropical rainforest. The reproduction of the Paon Trop Fern involves two generations and a dependence on water. First, spores are produced beneath the leaf by the fern plant. The spore releases the living cell within it, which grows into a thallus. The thallus produces male sperm cells at the pointed end and female cells in the notch. The sperm then burst free from the thallus in the presence of water and swims to the female cells. A new plant develops after fertilization. Paon Trop Ferns also reproduce asexually by spreading its rhizomes-stems which grow close to the soil surface.

Terrateon Mat can be found on the forest floors of the tropical rainforest. Terrateon Mat, a fungal and an algae partnership, evolved into a photosynthetic pad having a two-dimensional spread over mud, dry dirt, debris, and bark. The size of Terrateon Mat varies greatly with lateral spread from one square foot and more. Its main food source is symbiotic photosynthesis. Terrateon Mat reproduces asexually through the process of fragmentation. Small units containing the algae and fungus break off from the main plant and begin to develop as new plants. Growth in the Terrateon Mat is very slow.

Primary Consumer

Slor is a nocturnal animal found in the tropical rainforests. Slor has long grayish-brown hair which blends in with its environment. It spends most of its life in the trees and uses the ground to move from one tree to another. Slor is an herbivorous animal and its main source of foods is leaves, fruits, and buds. A Slor grows up to two feet long and weighs approximately five pounds. Its pregnancy period is approximately six months long. A newborn Slor clings to its mother until about five weeks old. Slor defends itself with sharp claws. A Slor’s lifespan is approximately 30 years.

Secondary Consumers

Sion-Antsucker is another secondary consumer living in the rainforests. Sion-Antsucker is approximately 12 inches in length and weighs 15 pounds. It has a long tail and sharp nails. The tail and nails are used to find food. Sion-Antsucker also has a long snout with a sticky tongue to suck up food. Its main source of food is insects. Sion-Antsucker is a mammal which carries its young in the belly for approximately six months before the actual birth. The baby is carried and cared for until it is able to survive on its own. Sion-Antsucker’s main mechanism for defense is its strong and hard leather-like back which can withstand predator attacks. Sion-Antsucker can also roll into a ball when it is under attack.

Ragator is a cold-blooded animal found in the rainforests. Ragator grows up to 3 feet long and weighs about 10 pounds. It is a nocturnal, carnivorous animal and feeds on small animals. Their diet includes fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals. It lives on both land and in fresh water. Ragator usually reproduces during the warm seasons. A female ragator lays approximately 30-40 eggs in a large mud nest. The ragator guards the nest from predators until the young are hatched. This process takes approximately 1 month. Ragator is a solitary animal. When disturbed, it usually attacks with its sharp teeth. Ragator’s teeth are its main mechanism for defense. It has a life span of 30 years.