The soil in tropical rainforests is poor in nutrients and are acidic. Here you will find shrubs, growing trees and vines. Of course, we’ve only scratched the surface: there are millions of animal and plant species found in the world’s rainforests. A Tropical Rainforest is a hot, humid, and flourishing dense forest, usually found around the equator. Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! Australian tropical rainforests are home to tree kangaroos, parrots, saltwater crocodiles, cassowaries, Australian brush turkeys, Cairns bird wing butterflies and goannas. All of the living things in the tropical rainforest have been molded by the same climatic regime, and each is more or less dependent on the others. The tropical rainforest is a hot, moist biome where it rains all year long. Copyright © 2020 ActiveWild.com. Tropical rainforests in the world harbor an astonishing range of plant species. The presence of hot, humid climate enables these plant species to thrive. More specifically between the Tropic Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Some plant species grow pretty quick; others acquire bigger leaves, while others develop excellent defenses against predators. Orchids are a type of epiphyte plant that grows in the tropical rainforests. © 2020 WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature© 1986 Panda Symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund)® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark Creative Commons license. Temperatures are uniformly high - between 20ﾂｰCand 35ﾂｰC. TROPICAL RAINFOREST INFORMATION FOR KIDS By Rhett A. Butler Last update: JULY 19, 2020 . They are South America, West Africa, Australia, Southern India and South East Asia. Benefits of Rainforests. Soil in the tropical rainforest is particularly very poor because the soil is more than 100 million years old. Equatorial climate is prevalent in regions with the latitudes of at most ten degrees North and South of the equator, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone dominates these regions. The layers are: Emergent layer. kids.mongabay.com - helping children learn about the rainforest Mongabay is the world's most popular site about the rainforest. Tropical rainforests have more kinds of trees than any other forests in the world. The tropical rainforest contains far more species of plants and animals than any other biome. Tropical Rainforest are located in more than 40 different countries in five main geographical areas around the world. Rainforests are forests that grow in areas with high rainfall, and there are several different types of rainforest, including montane rainforests and mangrove forests. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. A rainforest is a forest that grows in an area with a high rainfall. Ecological Well-Being. Join the thousands of Active Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science news & info direct to their inboxes! By examining the climate and characteristics of these regions, we gain a better understanding of their importance to the rest of the world and maybe we will put an end to these problems. Montane rainforests are found at higher altitudes. Wet and Dry Seasons Tropical rainforests have two outstanding characteristics. It is worth noting that an equatorial climate does not feature in all the areas along the equator, but tropical rainforest microclimates are ty… It is filled with tall trees, interesting plants, giant insects, and all sorts of animals. What makes a forest a rainforest? Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! What is a tropical rainforest? Today, work continues in key areas like Peru's Manu Biosphere Reserve and the Korup National Park in Cameroon. News and facts about animals, natural history and science. Rainforests do grow outside of the Tropics, in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Tropical rainforests are forests with tall trees, warm climates, and lots of rain. Around 150 ft. above the ground, the emergent layer is home to birds and insects. It is abundant with many species of wildlife and vegetation. In African tropical rainforests you’ll find leopards, African forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, okapis, parrots and hornbills. For the plant life in tropical latitudes, see tropical vegetation. The canopy layer gets most of the sunlight, and is the forest’s most productive area. More rainforest plants and animals live in the canopy layer than anywhere else. Rainforests are critically important to the well-being … As you can see, tropical rainforests are home to many varied animal species, and we’re only just scratching the surface. The weather in the tropical rainforest is rainy yet pleasant all year round, day … The ‘typical’ tropical rainforest is known as a lowland tropical rainforest. ©Getty Images. You will find tropical rainforest biomes in Australia, the Southeast of Asia, the Southern portion if India, and South America. Large Flying Fox. The temperature rarely gets above 93-97 degrees or below 65-68 degrees. Many rainforest products can be produced sustainably. Tropical regions – and therefore tropical rainforests –  are found near the Equator, an imaginary line that circles the globe, dividing the northern and southern hemispheres. Shrub Layer. Below the canopy is the understory (or understorey). A third type, the tropical monsoon forest, resembles the tropical rainforest except for the timing of precipitation. The diagram below shows the Equator and the Tropics. Tropical rainforests are also used for the production of food, medicine, and other products. This is a family of plants that have stiff, spiked leaves which radiate out from a central point. In some rainforests it rains more than one inch nearly every day of the year! As much as 50 percent of all the Earth’s species live in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforest layers. This is the continuous area formed by the branches and leaves of most of the rainforest’s trees. American Badger Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. The tropical rainforest can be thought of as a superorganism - a living, dynamic entity in its own right. Deforestation occurs when forested areas are permanently converted for other uses – for example, farming or mining. Of course, it’s not just animals that live in tropical rainforests; an incredible number of plants, including the trees themselves, are found in the rainforest environment. Tropical rainforests contain more species of plants and animals than any other habitat. The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is one of the largest species of bats in … Tropical Rainforest Biome refers to an ecosystem composed of vast, sprawling forests. Little light also reaches this layer, as it is still below the main canopy. This pool provides a habitat for animals such as frogs, whose tadpoles grow inside the plants. The top layer or canopy contains giant trees that grow to heights of 75 m (about 250 ft) or more. Southeast Asia, South America, and Central Africa are the major regions which experience tropical rainforest climates. The largest rainforest in the … South American tropical rainforests are home to animals such as caimans, jaguars, green anacondas, boa constrictors, harpy eagles, red-eyed tree frogs and howler monkeys. The leaves channel rainwater into a pool at the center of the plant. (I accept). Rainforests are the most productive and most complex ecosystems on Earth. If you like rain, the rainforest is the place for you. land areas approximately bounded by the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, but possibly affected by other factors such as prevailing winds. WWF is committed to conserving the world's rainforests, not only because of the incredible wealth of plants and animals, but for the benefit of the indigenous peoples who call these forests their home. Rainforest, also spelled rain forest, luxuriant forest, generally composed of tall, broad-leaved trees and usually found in wet tropical uplands and lowlands around the Equator. of rain every year. Running parallel above and below the Equator are two more imaginary lines: the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn respectively. This biome is mainly composed of vegetation. This is where the rainforest’s largest inhabitants are found, such as tapirs, jaguars and forest elephants. Rainforests are very bio-diverse and they tend to be thought of as having their own distinct ecosystems. Flooded forests occur where the land is often flooded by freshwater, and monsoon forests have high seasonal rainfall interspersed with dry spells. The two primary types of rainforests are tropical and temperate. Living Forests Report: Chapter 1 "Forests for a living planet", closed canopy forests growing within 28 degrees north or south of the equator. portalId: "4783129", Many are difficult to treat and many are deadly if not caught early. Lowland primary forest, often characterized by more than five forest tier levels, is usually taller and more diverse than montane forest. A forest ecosystem must receive over 60 inches of rain per year to be considered a rainforest. Tropical rainforests typically have four layers. About 80% of the world's documented species can be found in tropical rainforests, even though they cover only about 6% of the Earth's land surface - less than half the area they covered not so very long ago. A rainforest is an ecosystem characterized by heavy rain and a dense tree canopy that lets very little light through to the understory. Mangrove rainforests grow in coastal regions where the land is often continuously submerged in salty water. Most rainforests receive over 2,000 mm (80 in.) Assisting tropical countries to save their rainforests - through creating protected areas, exploring ways to use forests wisely and promoting purchasing of responsible forest products - is a priority for WWF. Other rainforest plants are bromeliads. View our Cookie Policy. Stay updated - subscribe to our newsletter. This layer of vegetation prevents much of the sunlight from reaching the ground. Tropical rainforests are rainforests that occur in areas of tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry season – all months have an average precipitation of at least 60 mm – and may also be referred to as lowland equatorial evergreen rainforest. True rainforests are typically found between 10 degrees north and south of the equator (see map); they are a sub-set of the tropical forest biome that occurs roughly within the 28-degree latitudes (in the equatorial zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn The Tropical Rainforest is a forest occurring in tropical areas of heavy rainfall. The location of the tropical rainforest is around the equator. In Central American rainforests, rival strawberry poison dart frogs might wrestle for up to 20 minutes! Tropical forests are forested landscapes in tropical regions: i.e. Tropical forests are closed canopy forests growing within 28 degrees north or south of the equator. You can find out more about them on these pages: If you have enjoyed this article, share it on social media using the share buttons at the top of the page! The tropical rainforest is one of the world’s most threatened biomes, despite being home to some of the most diverse and unique species on the planet.Many of the world’s most colorful creatures reside in rainforests, and animals from tiny organisms to large wild cats find homes amongst the range of plant life. You can find out more about rainforest animals here: You can find out more about deforestation here: You can find out where the world’s rainforests are located here: Find out more about the world’s most famous rainforest here: You can find out more about the layers of a tropical rainforest here: You’ll find an illustrated list that includes many of the most amazing rainforest animals here: You can read more about rainforest plants here: Learn more about the animals that live in tropical rainforests: Discover the plants that grow in tropical rainforests: Find out more about rain forests – visit our main, Rainforest Animals List with Pictures and Facts, Australian Birds List with Pictures, Facts and Information, Clouded Leopard Facts For Kids & Students: Pictures, Information & Video, Animals That Start With L: List With Pictures & Facts, Desert Animals: A List Of Animals That Live In The Desert With Pictures & Facts – Plus FREE question sheet, Nine-Banded Armadillo Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, Bighorn Sheep Facts: Discover The Largest Sheep Native To North America, American Alligator Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. 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