Rainforest Concern

Rainforest Facts

Tropical rainforests - where and what are they?

Tropical rainforests are found across the world between the Tropic of Cancer, at approximately 23 degrees north, and the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23 degrees south of the Equator. They are found in Asia, Africa, Northern Australia, South America and many tropical islands. The areas where rainforests occur experience a constant climate with high temperatures averaging 25°C all year round, an average annual rainfall of at least 2 metres, and up to 100% humidity. Some rainforests get as much as 10 metres of rain per year! Tropical rainforests cover 2% of the world’s land surface - an area of 2000 million hectares - and yet contain over half of the earth’s species of animals and plants. The largest rainforest, called the Amazon, is found in South America and spans eight countries, covering a total area of 2 million square miles.

The forest canopy

The rainforest canopy is divided into four main layers: the emergent layer consists of the tallest trees (emergent trees) which can grow to heights of 70m. These trees act as a buffer, sheltering the lower trees from heavy rains. Beneath this layer is the main canopy of smaller trees which are intertwined with climbing vines and hold flowering plants, called epiphytes, on their branches. Below this is the understorey containing young saplings and shrubs. The final layer, the dark forest floor contains only a few plants as only 2% of the sunlight reaches this layer of the forest, making it difficult for plants to grow.

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