An Introduction to Tropical Rainforest
The temperature of the earth is changing day by day. Have you ever wondered how we are surviving on Earth? The answer to this question is the presence of tropical rainforest on our planet which covers less than 2% of the surface of the Earth but plays a huge role in maintaining the ecological balance and the environment of the whole planet. These forests are the source of oxygen, plants and other species, minerals, etc. Without these equatorial forests survival on the Earth would not be possible. In this article, we will be discussing the tropical rainforest biome. We will cover all the related concepts such as percentage of their features, meaning or definitions, location or distribution, climate or temperature, plants or animals, minerals, agriculture, etc. This article will help you to understand one of the biomes of the earth and will help in understanding the important forests of the world.
Tropical Forest
They come under the " Af " category according to Koeppen's Classification of Climate which refers to Tropical wet climate. The tropical rainforest biome is the area that covers only around 6% of the area of the Earth but it covers around 50% of the species and has tall trees, has a dense canopy and receives maximum rainfall. These forests are also known as,
Equatorial Rainforests
Equatorial Evergreen Forests
Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Lowland Equatorial Evergreen Rainforest
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Definition
The definitions of tropical rainforest are given below:
According to the Oxford dictionary, " rainforest means a thick forest in tropical parts of the world that have a lot of rain."
According to the Cambridge dictionary, " tropical rainforest means thick forest that grows in hot parts of the world."
Features
The biotic and abiotic factors depend on each other. A minor change in one area will affect the other.
These areas have huge biodiversity.
The temperature is almost the same the whole year and never comes below 20°C and exceeds 35°C rarely.
There are no seasons and a hot or humid atmosphere is found here.
Rainfall occurs a lot here thus the soil is not so fertile here because most of the nutrients are washed away due to rainfall.
The forests have a dense canopy here and sunlight does not reach the ground.
They have different layers such as the ground level, the shrubs, the under and main canopy, and the emergents.
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Tropical Rainforest Location
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These forests are found in between the tropics ie. Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. These are mainly found in South America, Western or Central Africa, India and Southeast Asia, and some other areas. The extent of their distribution can be seen on the map.
Information on Rainfall Distribution and Characteristics
There are certain aspects of tropical rainforests that are the same no matter which rainforest it is.
Tropics are the home of rainforests.
At least 80 inches (200 cm) of rainfall each year falls on rainforests.
There is a canopy in a rainforest, which consists of a layer of branches and leaves that form 30 metres (100 feet) off the ground between two trees closely spaced. Forest plants and animals depend heavily on the canopy for survival.
Forests have an extraordinary amount of biological diversity, or "biodiversity". The Earth's rainforests are home to roughly half of Earth's terrestrial species.
At local, regional, and global scales, rainforests provide ecosystem services, among them the production of oxygen (tropical forests account for 25-30 per cent of the world's oxygen turnover) and the storage of carbon (tropical forests store an estimated 229-247 billion tonnes of carbon). They also significantly affect precipitation patterns and weather patterns; modulate flood and drought cycles, and facilitate nutrient cycling.
Tropical Rainforest Climate
These areas are dominated by maritime tropical air masses and usually have the same temperature over the year. The average monthly temperature found here is 27°C which does not vary so much. The temperature is always moderate due to the presence of clouds or precipitation or regular sea and land breezes. Average annual rainfall in these areas is always above 150cm and can be around 250cm to 300cm in some areas. There is no winter and no month without rainfall.
Vegetation and Species
The favourable conditions of these areas such as high temperature along with continuous rainfall lead to tropical rainforests.
Tropical Rainforest Plants
The "Selvas" is the densest forest area found in the Amazon forests which has a very dense canopy. Evergreen trees can be found here such as mahogany, ebony, dyewoods, Kapok, rubber, etc. Other Plants in the rainforest such as orchids, ferns, bamboo, banana, cassava, avocado, etc. are also found in these areas. Besides these, Mangrove trees are found in the coastal areas.
Tropical Rainforest Animals
Various animal species are found here such as rhinoceros, tapir, gorilla, jaguar, African grey parrot, keel-billed toucan, spider monkey, sloth, hornbill, eagle, flying fox, etc.
Minerals
Various precious minerals are found here such as gold, copper, diamonds, and other gemstones. Besides these, they are also a great source of oil reserves as well. Extraction of these minerals or oil reserves here is a difficult task because it affects the natural ecosystem and environment a lot.
Life and Economy
These regions are sparsely populated. People like primitive ones and more advanced ones are used to practising shifting cultivation here. There is no problem or shortage of food as well and they do not need to stock food items for the future. Shifting cultivation is common where dense forests are found in the world. Even in India, in North East regions, this type of farming is practised. Besides farming, people do other commercial activities as well. Such as collection of wild rubber by the Indian tribes in the Amazon basin, nuts collection by the pygmies in the Congo basin, etc. The conditions of these areas are also favourable for products of industrial use such as the cultivation of natural rubber which has a great demand. Cocoa is also a very important crop which is grown here. Other important crops are coconuts, coffee, tea, tobacco, sugar, spices, etc.
Tropical Rainforests India
India is an Asian country that also consists of tropical evergreen forests which are found in eastern or western ghats of the country and Northeast regions. For example, in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. These areas are rich in biodiversity and rainfall.
Did You Know?
Rainforests are found in all the continents of the Earth except Antarctica because it does not provide favourable conditions for these forests.
These forests are a blessing for our planet. The forests of Amazon are actually the lungs of the planet Earth and ¼ of the medicines are also found in these evergreen tropical forests.
There was a time when 6 million sq. miles of these forests were found but not only less than half of it is remaining.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article, we have learned about evergreen forests or rainforests. Generally, there are two types of forests are found ie. tropical and temperate in which the tropical ones are the most distributed forests on our planet which support life on earth and maintain balance on the earth. We have learned what rainforests are, what are their other names, temperature or climate, distribution or location, plants or animals found here, agriculture or commercial activities and many other things. This article will help you understand the important biome along with its various features and will help the students of Class 8 and students of upper classes. This topic is important in various subjects such as Geography, Science and Environment.
Moist Forest vs. Evergreen Rainforest in Equal Temperatures
Tropical wet forests can be divided into two major categories: equatorial evergreen rainforest and moist rainforest, which includes monsoon rainforests and montane/cloud forests. Equatorial rainforests are characterised by averaging 80 inches (2,000 millimetres) of rain per year that is evenly distributed. There are tiers of vegetation within these forests with the highest levels of biological diversity. Tropical wet forests can be classified into one of three types, with equatorial forests constituting the majority.
FAQs on Tropical Rainforest
1. What is a tropical rainforest?
A tropical rainforest is a lush, dense forest ecosystem found near the Earth's equator. It is characterised by consistently high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. These forests are known for their incredible biodiversity, housing more than half of the world's plant and animal species, and are often called the 'lungs of the planet' due to their significant role in producing oxygen.
2. What are the main characteristics of the climate in a tropical rainforest?
The climate in a tropical rainforest is consistently hot and humid. Key characteristics include:
- High Annual Rainfall: They receive at least 200 cm (80 inches) of rain annually, with no dry season.
- Constant High Temperatures: The average temperature is around 27°C (80°F) and rarely drops below 20°C or exceeds 35°C.
- High Humidity: The air is always moist, with humidity levels often between 77% and 88%.
3. Where are tropical rainforests located in the world?
Tropical rainforests are found in a belt around the equator, primarily between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The three main regions are:
- The Amazon Basin in South America (the world's largest tropical rainforest).
- The Congo Basin in Central and Western Africa.
- Southeast Asia, spanning from India to countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.
4. Why are tropical rainforests structured in different layers?
The layered structure of a tropical rainforest is a result of competition for sunlight. With so many plants growing closely together, different species have adapted to live at various heights to access the light they need. This vertical stratification creates distinct habitats for different animals. The main layers are the emergent layer (tallest trees), the canopy (a dense roof of leaves), the understory (shorter trees and shrubs), and the forest floor (dark and damp).
5. What types of plants are commonly found in tropical rainforests?
Tropical rainforests host a vast diversity of plant life adapted to the wet conditions. Examples include tall hardwood trees like mahogany and ebony, which form the canopy. Other common plants are orchids, bromeliads (which grow on other plants), ferns, lianas (woody vines), and large-leafed plants on the forest floor that are adapted to low light conditions.
6. What kinds of animals are adapted to live in tropical rainforests?
The layered structure of the rainforest supports a wide array of animal life. In the canopy, you can find animals like monkeys, sloths, toucans, and tree frogs. The understory and forest floor are home to larger mammals like jaguars and tapirs in the Americas, or elephants and gorillas in Africa. The ecosystem is also rich with countless species of insects, snakes, and amphibians.
7. If rainforests are so full of life, why is their soil considered nutrient-poor?
This is a fascinating paradox. The soil is poor because the nutrients are not stored in the ground but are locked up in the living plants and animals themselves. The hot, damp conditions cause dead organic matter to decompose very quickly. The nutrients released are immediately absorbed by the dense network of plant roots before they can accumulate in the soil. Furthermore, the heavy rainfall constantly washes away any loose nutrients in a process called leaching.
8. What is the importance of tropical rainforests for the planet?
Tropical rainforests are vitally important for several reasons:
- Oxygen Production: They absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide and release oxygen, playing a key role in regulating global air quality.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: They support over 50% of Earth's species, providing a rich source of genetic diversity.
- Climate Regulation: They influence global weather patterns and rainfall through a process called transpiration.
- Source of Resources: They provide essential resources, including medicines, food (like bananas and cocoa), and timber.
9. What are the main human activities that threaten tropical rainforests?
The primary threat to tropical rainforests is deforestation driven by human activities. This includes:
- Agriculture: Clearing land for large-scale farming of crops like palm oil, soybeans, and for cattle ranching.
- Logging: Cutting down trees for timber, both legally and illegally.
- Mining and Infrastructure: Building roads, dams, and mines fragments the forest and pollutes the environment.
- Urbanisation: Expanding cities and settlements into forest areas.
10. How is a tropical rainforest different from a temperate rainforest?
While both are very wet, the key difference is temperature and location. A tropical rainforest is located in the warm, humid tropics near the equator and has a consistently high temperature year-round. In contrast, a temperate rainforest is found in cooler, mid-latitude coastal areas (like the Pacific Northwest of the USA) and experiences distinct seasons with warmer summers and cooler winters.
