The Tropical Rain Forest
Another name for the tropical rainforest is the jungle. The rainforest biome is a forest of tall trees that cover about 6% of the earth. It has more species of trees than anywhere else in the world. The Tropical Rainforest receives more rain than any other biome making it the wettest biome. There are two types of rainforests, the lowland forests and the cloud forests. Over half of the world’s plant and animal species are found in the Tropical Rainforest. The Tropical Rainforest is also the most threatened biome.
Location: The tropical Rainforests are found near the equator in over 40 countries. The three largest Rainforest areas are found in Central Africa, South East Asia, and Central and South America.
Weather: The tropical rainforest is known for year round warmth and maintains almost the same temperature year round which is usually above 20°C or 64°F. An average of 125 to 660 cm or 50 to 260 inches of rain falls yearly. Think of warm and wet when referring to the tropical rainforests.
Seasons: It feels as though there is just one season as it is rainy and wet most of the time. However, there is a period of reduced rain which is usually in winter and summer. There are four seasons although there is minimal seasonal change. There are also approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night every day.
Animals: The animals in the rainforest are too numerous to mention. Scientists believe that they only know of approximately 1% of the Rainforest animals. These include millions of species of birds and hundreds of types of parrots, snakes, monkeys, tigers, rhinos, and of course millions of other species.
Plants: Most of the plants in the rainforest are trees, several types of mosses shrubs, vines, orchids and ferns. Very little sun reaches the rainforest floor, therefore the plants that grow there are usually small. Many of our houseplants come from the Rainforest.
Location: The tropical Rainforests are found near the equator in over 40 countries. The three largest Rainforest areas are found in Central Africa, South East Asia, and Central and South America.
Weather: The tropical rainforest is known for year round warmth and maintains almost the same temperature year round which is usually above 20°C or 64°F. An average of 125 to 660 cm or 50 to 260 inches of rain falls yearly. Think of warm and wet when referring to the tropical rainforests.
Seasons: It feels as though there is just one season as it is rainy and wet most of the time. However, there is a period of reduced rain which is usually in winter and summer. There are four seasons although there is minimal seasonal change. There are also approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night every day.
Animals: The animals in the rainforest are too numerous to mention. Scientists believe that they only know of approximately 1% of the Rainforest animals. These include millions of species of birds and hundreds of types of parrots, snakes, monkeys, tigers, rhinos, and of course millions of other species.
Plants: Most of the plants in the rainforest are trees, several types of mosses shrubs, vines, orchids and ferns. Very little sun reaches the rainforest floor, therefore the plants that grow there are usually small. Many of our houseplants come from the Rainforest.
Plant and Animal Adaptations
Plants and animals living in the Tropical Rainforest must be able to adapt to the year round humidity and constant warm, humid and wet weather. The tropical rainforest contains the most species of plant and animal life, therefore there is immense competition for food and sunlight.
Plant Adaptations in the Tropical Rainforest Biome
The bark on the rainforest trees is thin which prevents other plants from growing on them and supports evaporation from the excess humidity. The leaves on most of the plants have what is called drip tips which help plants shed the excess moisture from the rainfall. The trees have long, very straight trunks and don’t branch out until they reach the canopy where sun- light can be found. Leaves of plants and trees are very large to help them absorb as much of the sunlight as is possible. Some of the tropical Rainforest plants are actually carnivorous, which means they eat meat. They have an opening filled with nectar that will attract in- sects, such as ants and flies. Many flowering plants will grow on to trees in able to get sun- shine (epiphytes).
Examples of Plants found in the Tropical Rainforest:
The tropical rainforest contains more species of plants than any other biome.
Orchids, Philodendrons, Ferns, Bromeliads, Kapok Trees, Banana Trees, Rubber Trees, Bam- boo, Trees, Cassava Trees, Avocado Trees.
Plant Adaptations in the Tropical Rainforest Biome
The bark on the rainforest trees is thin which prevents other plants from growing on them and supports evaporation from the excess humidity. The leaves on most of the plants have what is called drip tips which help plants shed the excess moisture from the rainfall. The trees have long, very straight trunks and don’t branch out until they reach the canopy where sun- light can be found. Leaves of plants and trees are very large to help them absorb as much of the sunlight as is possible. Some of the tropical Rainforest plants are actually carnivorous, which means they eat meat. They have an opening filled with nectar that will attract in- sects, such as ants and flies. Many flowering plants will grow on to trees in able to get sun- shine (epiphytes).
Examples of Plants found in the Tropical Rainforest:
The tropical rainforest contains more species of plants than any other biome.
Orchids, Philodendrons, Ferns, Bromeliads, Kapok Trees, Banana Trees, Rubber Trees, Bam- boo, Trees, Cassava Trees, Avocado Trees.
Animal Adaptations in the Tropical Rainforest Biome
Animals come in various colors which act as a camouflage to protect them from their predators. Many of the animals are able to move freely among the many trees which act as both food and shelter for them. Quite a few of the tropical rainforest animals are able to swim and cope with a wet and swamp like environment. Some animals (bats) are nocturnal which help them avoid the warmer daytime temperatures. Many of the birds have larger and stronger beaks. Some animals are poisonous which protect them from their predators. Due to the competition for food with so many animals, some animals are very specialized and only eat one type of plant or insect.
Examples of Animals found in the Tropical Rainforest:
The tropical rainforest contains more species of animals than any other biome and insects make up the largest group of animals. Anacondas, Monkeys, Toucans, Macaws, Herens, Cougars, Pumas, Orangutans, Gorrilas, Sloths, Parrots and Frogs.
Animals come in various colors which act as a camouflage to protect them from their predators. Many of the animals are able to move freely among the many trees which act as both food and shelter for them. Quite a few of the tropical rainforest animals are able to swim and cope with a wet and swamp like environment. Some animals (bats) are nocturnal which help them avoid the warmer daytime temperatures. Many of the birds have larger and stronger beaks. Some animals are poisonous which protect them from their predators. Due to the competition for food with so many animals, some animals are very specialized and only eat one type of plant or insect.
Examples of Animals found in the Tropical Rainforest:
The tropical rainforest contains more species of animals than any other biome and insects make up the largest group of animals. Anacondas, Monkeys, Toucans, Macaws, Herens, Cougars, Pumas, Orangutans, Gorrilas, Sloths, Parrots and Frogs.