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Text from: http://www.rainforestconcern.org (text reproduced from flash movie on the website)

Tropical rainforests are found in tropical regions and have a climate which is hot and humid all year round and often have rainy and dry seasons.

They can experience up to 25cm of rain in one day, have an average temperature of 25°C and as much as 100% humidity.

Tropical rainforests are found in a belt approximately 22 degrees north and south of the equator in Asia, Africa, Northern Australia, South America, and certain Caribbean Islands.

The largest rainforest is the Amazon. It is found in South America and spans eight countries covering a total area of 2 million square miles!

Rainforests grow in 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 is the main canopy, the understorey, and the forest floor.

Many tropical rainforests are between 60 and 150 million years old and are still evolving. It is estimated that they contain over 30 million different species of animals and plants. These different species depend on one another. This is called an ecosystem which is where one species relies on another for food, shelter, or reproduction.

Tropical rainforests contain over half of the Earth's plant and animal species. Many of these animals are rare and are dependent upon the rainforest for their survival. It is vital that we protect their rainforest homes because, without them, they cannot survive.

Many indigenous people (i.e. native tribes) make their homes in tropical rainforests. These people have been living in harmony with the rainforest for hundreds and even thousands of years, depending upon it for their medicines, food, and shelter. They manage to take everything they need from the forest but are careful not to destroy what cannot grow back naturally within a generation or two.

Humans and animals would not be able to live without plants and forests. The oxygen we need to breathe is made by plants during a process called photosynthesis. When trees and plants photosynthesise they make their food from carbon dioxide and water. They then release oxygen into the atmosphere.

Rainforests are very efficient at recycling nutrients which became stored within trees and plants rather than in the soil. The tree roots bind the soil together whilst the canopy protects the soil from the heavy rainforest rains. If the trees are removed, the unprotected soil is washed away when it rains causing blockages and floods in lowland rivers. The soil that is left behind is poor and infertile.

Rainforests store water like a huge sponge. Rainforest trees gather the water and release it back into the atmosphere through their leaves in the form of water vapour. The water then condenses to form mists and clouds. The water they do not absorb drains in a regulated flow into streams and rivers. Without rainforests, droughts in the dry season, and floods in the rainy season would become more common.

THINK & SEARCH  2.    What benefits do trees bring to the survival of the rainforest ecosystem?  [2 marks]

AUTHOR & YOU   3.    The author wants you to think a certain way about rainforests. How does the author want you to think? Explain and give examples of language which is designed to make you agree with the author.  [3 marks]  »[Help]

ON MY OWN   4.    Draw up a list of 6 rules for people you believe are MOST important for the survival of rainforests.  [4 marks]