What is a rainforest?
A rainforest is a dense, warm and wet forest.
The reason it's called a rainforest is because of the high amount of rainfall it gets. Over 250cm per year!
There are two types of rainforests:
- temperate rainforests
- tropical rainforests
The reason it's called a rainforest is because of the high amount of rainfall it gets. Over 250cm per year!
There are two types of rainforests:
- temperate rainforests
- tropical rainforests
Temperate Rainforests
Temperate rainforests are found along coasts of temperate zones, mostly where the climate affects the warm currents of the ocean. One of the largest temperate rainforests is on the pacific coast in north America. It runs from Alaska to Oregon which is about 4,178km!
Temperate rainforests are also found in South America, North America, Europe, East Asia, New Zealand and some are in Australia. Unlike Tropical rainforests, Temperate ones have a dry season and a very long wet season.
Temperate rainforests are also found in South America, North America, Europe, East Asia, New Zealand and some are in Australia. Unlike Tropical rainforests, Temperate ones have a dry season and a very long wet season.
Tropical Rainforests
Most tropical rainforests are set near the equator. Tropical rainforests are found in South Africa, Africa, Australia and near the edges of Asia because its temperature is humid and wet.
To be called a 'Tropical rainforest', it must receive more than 1m of rain every year.
To be called a 'Tropical rainforest', it must receive more than 1m of rain every year.
Rainforest Layers
TemperateTemperate rainforests have three layers, one less than tropical rainforests.
1. Canopy - These trees are huge! A rainforest in California has trees the size of 29 storey buildings! 2. Understory - Trees that grow here must be able to survive with little sunlight 3. Forest floor- On the forest floor you would find moss, mushrooms and dead fallen trees / branches. |
TropicalTropical rainforests have 4 layers.
1. Emergent layer - these layers spurt though the canopy layer, these trees are usually tall and thin. Because they're so tall they have to fight with strong winds and the hot sun. 2. Canopy is like a green roof. It's the section which most animals live such as monkeys, insects, birds and butterflies. 3. The understory is damp, hot and is a clump of shrubs and small trees. 4. The forest floor has not many plants on it because very little light gets down to the floor. It's where dead plants and animals decay. |