What is a Rainforest?

Rainforest is described as tall, hot and dense forest near the equator and is believed
to be the oldest living ecosystems on Earth which gets maximum amount of rainfall.
As the name implies, rainforests are the forests that get very high amount of rainfall
every year, more than the normal annual rainfall of 17502000 mm (68-78 inches).
Most of the rainforests in this world are located around the middle of earth near the
equator like South and Central America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Rainforests cover about 9% of the total surface of the Earth and are home to more
than half of the species of plants and animals of the world. At least two-thirds of the
total plant species grows in the rainforests. The hot and humid climate of rainforest
is very supportive to the growth of plants and animals. It is believed that there will
be many millions of species of plants, insects and micro-organisms thriving in
rainforest which have not been discovered still.

Importance of Rainforests
The main benefit of rainforests is that they supply much of the earths oxygen. They
absorb carbon dioxide produced by manmade activities and produce oxygen on
which all humans and animals survive. They also contain millions of species of
exotic plants and animals. Rainforest supplies many things essential for the survival
of human and other living beings. Importance of rainforests can be derived from the
items that they supply. Some of these are listed below:
Natural medicines, Oxygen production, Sugar, Spices such as coconut, vanilla,
turmeric, ginger etc., Rubber, Bamboo, Pineapples, Chocolates that come from
cocoa which grow on trees in rainforests, Stabilize worlds climate. Maintain water
cycle. Provide home to tribal people. House more than 1/2 of the worlds plant and
animal species. Protect environment against soil erosion, floods and droughts.
A rainforest needs a adequate amount of rainfall and sunlight to grow tall and large.
Areas near equator dont have any seasons because neither it tilts towards or away
from the sun. It remains warm (16 degrees Celsius) and receives more than 1000
centimeters of rainfall throughout the year. They cover only about 6% of the earths
surface and more than 30 million species of plants and animals live in tropical
rainforests. Many exotic species of plants and animals grow in rainforest.
Layers of a Rainforest
A rainforest is divided into following four layers. Each layer has characteristic flora
and fauna adapted for life in the particular surroundings.
Emergent layer consists of tallest trees, standing as high as 200 feet above the floor
of the forest. Most of these trees are hardwood evergreens with broad-leaves.

Sunlight is also abundant in this region. Eagles, bats, monkey and butterflies are
main animals found here.
Canopy layer forms the primary layer of the forest. The trees have smooth, oval
leaves that form a dense maze, covering the other two layers as a wide roof. Food is
abundant in this layer. Therefore lots of animals live here such as snakes, toucans
and tree frogs.
Understory layer consists of shorter plants which seldom grow to a length of 12 feet.
Very little sunshine reaches this area therefore plants grow larger leaves to get
sufficient sunlight. Insects are found in large concentration along with other animals
like jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and leopards.
Forest Floor is a very dark portion of rainforest with almost no plants. Because no
sunlight reaches this layer, plants decay very fast. Only giant anteaters are found in
this region.
Types of Rainforests
Tropical rainforests are warm and wet, characterized by mean monthly
temperatures of more than 180C (64OF) around the year and average annual
rainfall of about 400 inches. These are located in the monsoon trough, between the
Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. They have thousands of broad-based
leaves aged between 50-100 years old. Diverse variety of plants and animals
occupy tropical plants. Decomposition occurs at a very fast rate in tropical
rainforests. These are also known as Earths lungs because they contribute oxygen
to the atmosphere. Most of the worlds tropical rainforests are present in
Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Central America and
Pacific Islands.
Temperate rainforests are cool and wet, characterized by mean annual rainfall of
50-140 inches and average daily mean temperature of around 50-80 degrees. These
are located in the temperate regions. They have evergreen trees aged between
500-1000 years old. The temperate rainforests possess seasonal climate, hence less
diversity of flora and fauna. Trees generally have needle-like leaves. In temperate
rainforest, decomposition occurs at comparatively slow rate. Temperate rainforest
are commonly found in North America, East Asia, Europe, South America, Australia
and New Zealand.
Montane forests are also known as cloud forests, located on mountains and
containing shorter trees such as oaks, pines and rhododendrons.
Lowland rainforests possess consistent weather throughout the year with same
rainfall and humidity every day. It has tall trees with great diversity of plants and
animals.

Flooded rainforests are the ones that flood for short or long periods of time due
to heavy rains. Varzea refers to these forests that flood for short period of time
with water levels as much as 10 meters while Igapo means forests that flood for
long period of time, up to 11 months, with water levels as much as 12 meters. Trees
and fish adapt to survive in this environment trees form strange shapes and
freshwater fish enter into these flooded forests.
Mangrove forests are found on river banks and coasts. These consist of wetland
plants which filter the water that flows through them. These trees reach a height of
24 meters and possess stilt-like roots to prevent decomposition in water. They can
survive in salty environment with periods of drought in the dry season.
References: http://www.zoomschool.com/subjects/rainforest/ and
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Importance-layers-and-types-ofrainforests.php