15 Interesting Facts About Rainforest

Olympic Rainforest Hiker.jpg Photo by AlaskaTrekker at en.wikipedia (Erin McKittrick) – Wikimedia Commons

15 Interesting Facts About Rainforest

Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes ad lianas, and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be classified as tropical rainforests or temperate rainforests but other types have been described. The Rainforest estimates vary from 40% to 75% of all biotic species being indigenous to the rainforest.

The rainforest consists of many millions of species of plants, insects, and microorganisms still undiscovered in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforests have been called the Jewels of the Earth and the World’s Largest Pharmacy. This is because over one-quarter of natural medicines have been discovered there.

The rainforest species are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation which is the resulting in habitat loss and pollution of the atmosphere.

1. The Rainforests have a Deeper Definition 

Cheow Lan Lake, Rainforest, Khao Sok, Thailand.jpg Photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg – Wikimedia Commons

Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, high humidity, the presence of moisture-dependent vegetation, a moist layer of layer litter, and the absence of wildfire.

Other vegetation associations include subtropical rainforest, littoral rainforest, cloud forest, vine thicket, and dry rainforest that have been described. However, the largest areas of rainforest are tropical or temperate rainforests.

2.  Tropical Rainforests and their

Characteristics 

South American jungle photograph.jpg Photo by Sascha Grabow www.saschagrabow.com – Wikimedia Commons

Tropical rainforests are characterized by a warm and wet climate with no dry season. The tropical rainforest is typically found within 10 degrees north and south of the equator. Average annual rainfall is no less than 168 cm and can exceed 1,000 cm although it typically lies between 175 cm and 200 cm. Most of the world’s tropical rainforests are associated with the location of the monsoon trough which is also known as the intertropical convergence zone.

The broader category of tropical Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Tropical rainforests exist in Southeast Asia, Sun-Saharan Africa, South America, Central America, Australia, and on Pacific Islands. Tropical forests have been referred to as the Earth’s lungs, but now it is known that rainforests contribute little net oxygen addition to the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

3. The Meaning of Seasonal Rainforests

A rainy day3.jpg Photo by Mihwar – Wikimedia Commons

The seasonal tropical forest also known as semi-evergreen seasonal or monsoon forests typically contains a range of tree species. This tropical forest is classified under the Walter system as the tropical climate. It has an overall high rainfall of 1000-2500mm and has a very distinct wet season and a dry season.

These forests represent a range of habitats that are influenced by monsoon or tropical wet savannah climates. Such forests are found primarily in Asia mainly India, Sri Lanka, and China, and West and East Africa, Northern Australia, and Eastern Brazil. 

Many scholars believe that due to the fact that seasonal rainforests have a dry season, they cannot be classified as tropical rainforests because, in such rainforests, there is no dry season.

4. The Temperates in the Forest and Dry Rainforest

Moore Park Nature Reserve dry rainforest.jpg Photo by Poyt448, Peter Woodard – Wikimedia Commons

Even though tropical forests cover a large part of the globe but temperate rainforests only occur in a few regions around the world. Temperate rainforests are rainforests in temperate regions. They occur in Parts of North America, Europe, East Asia, South America, and also in Australia, and New Zealand.

The parts of North America that are covered by the temperate rainforest are Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. As for Europe, only the coastal areas of Ireland and Scotland, southern Norway, Georgia, coastal Turkey, and parts of the western Balkans are covered by the temperate rainforest.

5. The Purpose of Stratification in the Forests

Stratification in the field of ecology refers to the vertical layering of habitat or the arrangement of vegetation in layers. It classifies the layers of vegetation largely according to the different heights to which their plants grow. These layers are inhabited by different animal and plant communities.

The Tropical rainforest has a number of layers, with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area. The layers include emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floors. As for dry rainforests have a more open canopy layer than other rainforests, and are found in areas of lower rainfall. Dry rainforests generally have two layers of trees. 

6. The Meaning of Emergent Layer in Forests

The emergent layer contains a small number of very large trees called emergents. They grow above the general canopy and reach heights of 45-55 m, although, on special occasions, a few species grow to 70-80 m tall. They need to be able to withstand the hot temperatures and strong winds that occur above the canopy in some areas. This layer is the habitat of eagles, butterflies, bats, and monkeys.

7. The Canopy and Understory Layer in the Forest

The Canopy Layer contains the majority of the largest trees which are typically 30 meters to 45 meters tall. The densest areas of biodiversity are found in the forest canopy. The canopy is home to 50 percent of all plant species. Epiphytic plants attach to trunks and branches and obtain water and minerals from rain and debris that collects on the supporting plants. 

The understory layer lies between the canopy and the forest floor. This layer is home to a number of birds, snakes, and lizards, as well as predators such as jaguars, boa constrictors, and leopards. The leaves are much larger at this level and are present in the understory. This level only receives about only 5% of the sunlight shining on the rainforest canopy reaches the understory.

8. The Forest Floor and What Happens 

The forest floor is the bottom-most layer and receives only 2% of the sunlight. Plants adapted to low light can grow in this region. It is away from riverbanks, swamps, and clearings where dense undergrowth is found. The forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation because of the low sunlight penetration, it also contains decaying plant and animal matter.

9. Flora and Fauna of The Rainforests in the World

Taman-Negara.jpg Photo by Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov – Wikimedia Commons

Rainforests are covered with more than half of the world’s species of plants and animals. Rainforests support a very broad data structure of fauna which includes mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates. Mammals include primates, felids, and other families. Aside from animals, there are dozens of invertebrates are found in rainforests. Fungi are also very common in rainforest areas as they can feed on the decomposing remains of plants and animals.

Some species of fauna show a trend towards declining populations in rainforests for example reptiles that feed on amphibians and reptiles. The seasonality of rainforests affects the reproductive patterns of amphibians, and this in turn can directly affect the species of reptiles that feed on these groups. 

10. The Soil Quality In Rainforests Globally

Reflection Lakes Mount Rainier Seattle (127328459).jpeg Photo by Tj Kim – Wikimedia Commons

Even though rainforests are filled with vegetation but the soil quality is often quite poor. The concentration of iron and aluminum oxides by the lateralization process gives the oxisols a bright red color which sometimes produces mineral deposits such as bauxite. Most trees have roots near the surface because there are insufficient nutrients below the surface.

If rainforests are cleared, rain can accumulate on the exposed soil surfaces, creating run-off, and beginning a process of soil erosion. This could cause streams and rivers to form and flooding to become possible. The reason for the poor soil quality is high acidity, the type of clay particles that are present, and the high volume of rain in tropical rainforests that washes nutrients out of the soil.

11. The Effects of Rainforests on Global Climate

A natural rainforest emits and absorbs vast quantities of carbon dioxide. An undisturbed rainforest would have a small net impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. No rainforest today can be considered to be undisturbed, this is due to the fact that deforestation plays a significant role in causing rainforests to release carbon dioxide.

Scholars believe that there will be a  large loss of the Amazonian rainforest by the year 2050. This is because of drought, forest dieback, and the subsequent release of more carbon dioxide.

12. Deforestation of Major Rainforests in the World

Rainy day in Qabala forest, e-citizen.JPG Photo by Moonsun1981 – Wikimedia Commons

Tropical and temperate rainforests have been subjected to heavy legal and illegal logging for their valuable hardwoods and agricultural clearance. In the 20th century, the area covered by rainforests around the world is shrinking. Biologists have estimated that large numbers of species are being driven to extinction.

Forests are being destroyed at a rapid pace with almost 90% of West Africa’s rainforest has been destroyed. Since the arrival of humans, Madagascar has lost two-thirds of its original rainforest. Tropical rainforests in Indonesia would be logged out in 10 years and in Papua New Guinea in 13 to 16 years. 

According to Rainforest Rescue, there is an important reason for the increasing deforestation rate, especially in Indonesia where there is the expansion of oil palm plantations to meet the growing demand for cheap vegetable fats and biofuels,

Several countries notably Brazil, have declared their deforestation a national emergency. According to government data, Amazon deforestation jumped by 69% in 2008 compared to 2007’s twelve months.

13. The Charitable Foundation for Rainforest Called The Fund

Amazon Rainforest.jpg Photo by Antonio Campoy – Wikimedia Commons

The Rainforest fund is a charitable foundation founded in 1987 and dedicated to drawing attention to rainforests and defending the rights of indigenous peoples living there. The fund has three sister organizations called Rainforest Foundation UK, Rainforest Foundation US, and Rainforest Foundation Norway. These organizations support indigenous rainforest peoples to assert and defend their rights.

These organizations define and promote sustainable development in their communities, and challenge the activities and practices of government or other entities which damage their environment and lands. The programs and projects are developed in partnership with local communities and representative indigenous NGOs.

14. Rainforests are Thick and different to penetrate 

Kakamega Forest (2294221508).jpg Photo by Nao Iizuka from Tokyo, Japan – Wikimedia Commons

The inland rainforest is also known as the inland temperate rainforest in the reclassification system of the WWF. It is part o the biogeoclimatic zones system that was developed by the BC Ministry of Forests, in the Rocky Mountain Trench. The Interior Cedar Hemlock zone is of particular significance with respect to climate change. Climate warming projections suggest that by mid-century or soon afterward, this location may be at the southerly extent of the ICH. 

 The oldest and most diverse parts of the forest are typically found on northeasterly aspect wet toe slopes, with Western Red Cedar trees over 1,000 years old and undisturbed forest stands much older than that. Almost half of these toe-slope benches were cleared in the 1960s to develop the Yellowhead Highway. As a consequence, there are only a handful of the best sites left undisturbed in 2008.

15. The Native People

Near Rainy Mesa – Flickr – aspidoscelis.jpg Photo by Patrick Alexander – Wikimedia Commons

In 2007, FUNAI reported the presence of 67 different uncontacted tribes in Brazil. This information proves that Brazil has now overtaken the island of New Guinea as the country having the largest number of uncontacted tribes. The West Papua province on the island of New Guinea is home to an estimated 44 uncontacted tribal groups. The tribes are in danger because of deforestation, especially in Brazil.

Central Africa is home to the Mbuti pygmies which are hunter-gatherer peoples that live in the equatorial rainforest. They are characterized by their short height. Scholars did a study that proved that the pygmies who live in Southeast Asia amongst others are referred to as Negrito.

There are many tribes in the rainforests of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Half of Sarawak’s 1.5 million people are Dayaks. Most Dayaks are believed to come originally from the South- East Asian mainland.