Rainforest
The Most Amazing Place Ever
What is a Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750–2000 mm (68–78 inches). The monsoon trough, alternatively known as the inter tropical convergence zone, plays a significant role in creating the climatic conditions necessary for the Earth's tropical rainforests.
Around 40% to 75% of all biotic species are indigenous to the rainforests. It has been estimated that there may be many millions of species of plants, insects and microrganisms still undiscovered in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth" and the "world's largest pharmacy", because over one quarter of natural medicines have been discovered there.[2] Rainforests are also responsible for 28% of the world's oxygen turnover, sometimes misnamed oxygen production,processing it through photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and consuming it through respiration.
The undergrowth in some areas of a rainforest can be restricted by poor penetration of sunlight to ground level. If the leaf canopy is destroyed or thinned, the ground beneath is soon colonized by a dense, tangled growth of vines, shrubs and small trees, called a jungle. There are two types of rainforest, tropical rainforest and temperate rainforest.
Why is it called a Rainforest ?
Rainforest Animals
approximately half of the world's animal species live in rainforests. Another estimate is that
25 percent of the world's medicine is derived from rainforest plants.
Unfortunately, scientists have not been able to research and explore the majority of the
rainforest plants to find all of the possible medicines and new species of plants and animals.
Opinions differ on exactly how much rainforest is disappearing due to slash and burn farming
techniques, but they are disappearing. There are several websites that offer ways to help
save the rainforest including Ecologyfund.com and Greenribbonpledge.org.
At The Animal Spot we are always adding new animals and information so please stop by
and see what's new. We also hope you will stop by and see our other websites,
Desertanimals.net and Tundraanimals.net for great information about animals of the desert
and tundra. Thank you for visiting and we hope you enjoy our reference to rainforest animals.
Rainforest Plants
Rainforest plants live in a warm humid environment that allows an enormous variation rare in more temperate climates: some like the orchids have beautiful flowers adapted to attract the profusion of forest insects.
Competition at ground level for light and food has lead to evolution of plants which live on the branches of other plants, or even strangle large trees to fight for survival.
The aerial plants often gather nourishment from the air itself using so-called 'air roots';. The humidity of the rainforest encourages such adaptations which would be impossible in most temperate forests with their much drier conditions.