About the Tropical Forest
Tropical rainforests have lots of tall trees and are hot year round. Rainfall avarages from around 50 to 260 in. per year. Tropical rainforests are apart of the tropical wet climate group, and have an average temperature between 68° F (20° C) and 93° F (34° C). Most rainforests are near the equator. Rainforests are vastly disappearing and now cover less than 6% of the Earth's surface, though produce about 40% of Earth's oxygen. Rainforests are typically found in Central America, Africa, and Malaysia.
Location: Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Animals in the Tropical Forest
Scientists estimate around more than half of all animal species live in tropical rainforests. There are many types of mammals, birds, riptiles, and amphibians. Some mammals include several species of monkeys.
Vegetation in the Tropical Forest
Just like animals, scientists also estimate more than half of Earth's vegetation lives in rainforests. About 70% of the plants in the rainforest are trees. Other plants include curare, a tropical vine, and quinine. Both of these plants can be used as medicine. In fact, 1/4 of medicines humans use come from rainforests.
Vegetation in the tropical rainforest form three different layers. The top layer or canopy contains giant trees that grow to heights of 75 m (about 250 ft) or more. This layer of vegetation prevents much of the sunlight from reaching the ground. Thick, woody vines are also found in the canopy. They climb trees in the canopy to reach for sunlight. The middle layer, or understory, is made up of vines, smaller trees, ferns, and palms. A large number of plants from this level are used as common houseplants. Because of the small amount of sunlight and rainfall these plants receive, they adapt easily to home environments. The bottom layer or floor of the rainforest is covered with wet leaves and leaf litter. This material decomposes rapidly in the wet, warm conditions (like a compost pile) sending nutrients back into the soil. Few plants are found on the floor of the forest due to the lack of sunlight. However, the hot, moist atmosphere and all the dead plant material create the perfect conditions in which bacteria and other microorganisms can thrive.
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