What is Tropical Rainforest? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts

What is Tropical Rainforest?

One of the most fascinating biomes on planet Earth is the rainforest. It is filled with tall trees, interesting plants, giant insects and all kinds of animals.

What makes a Forest a Rainforest?

As you can guess from their name, rainforests are forests with a lot of rain. Tropical rainforests are located in the tropics near the equator. Most rainforests get at least 75 inches of rain, and many rainforests get over 100 inches in some areas.

The rainforest is also very wet and hot. Because they are close to the equator, temperatures stay between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year.

Where are the World’s Rainforests?

There are three main areas of tropical rainforest:

Africa – Africa’s primary rainforest is found in the south-central part of the continent, through which the Congo River flows. There are also tropical forests in West Africa and Madagascar.

Southeast Asia – Much of Southeast Asia is considered part of the rainforest biome. It stretches from Myanmar to New Guinea.

South America – This is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It covers much of the northern part of South America as well as the southern part of Central America. This area is commonly known as the Amazon Basin and is crossed by the Amazon River and the Orinoco River.

Biodiversity

Tropical rainforests have the highest biodiversity of any terrestrial biome. Although they cover only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, scientists estimate that about half of the planet’s animal and plant species live in the world’s tropical forests.

Layers of the Rainforest

The rainforest can be divided up into three layers: the canopy, the understory, and the forest floor. Different species of animals and plants live in different classes.

The canopy – This is the top layer of the tree. These trees are usually at least 100 feet tall. Their branches and leaves form an umbrella over the remaining layers. Most plants and animals live on this layer. This includes monkeys, birds, insects and reptiles of all kinds. Some animals can live their whole lives without leaving the canopy to touch the ground. This class is the noisiest, with animals making a lot of noise.

The understory – Below the canopy is the lower deck. This floor consists of some short trees and shrubs, but mainly the trunks and branches of the canopy tree. This floor is home to some top predators like snakes and leopards. It is also home to owls, bats, insects, frogs, iguanas and many other animals.

The forest floor – Due to the thick canopy, very little sunlight reaches the forest floor. This floor is home to many insects and spiders. Several animals also live on this floor, including deer, pigs, and snakes. This layer is the quietest because the animals lurking in the dark make very little noise.

Scientists sometimes refer to a fourth layer known as the emergent layer. It is made up of tall trees that grow in the canopy.

What makes this Biome so Important?

Rainforests are important to the world for many reasons. One reason is that they function like Earth’s lungs, producing about 40% of the world’s oxygen. Since we all need oxygen to live, this reason is pretty high. Rainforests also provide a number of important medicines to help sick people and cure diseases. Many believe that there are even cures for cancer waiting for us in the rainforest. Rainforests are also home to many animals and are an irreplaceable part of nature.

The Disappearing Rainforests

Unfortunately, human development is killing much of the world’s rainforests. About 40% of the world’s rainforests have disappeared. Conservationists are doing what they can to help countries conserve this important biome.

Facts About Tropical Rainforests

Surprisingly, the base of the rainforest is shallow and contains few nutrients.
In the Amazon rainforest, there are more than 2,000 species of butterflies.
They are home to interesting “flying” animals such as squirrels, snakes and frogs.
It is estimated that 25% of today’s medicinal ingredients come from tropical forests.
Tropical forests affect temperatures and weather patterns around the world.
One-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply is found in the Amazon rainforest.
Every second, a rainforest the size of a football field is cut down.
Only about 2% of sunlight reaches the forest floor.