Home Page

[ Home ] [ Importance of The Rainforests ] [ Important Facts And Information ] [ Destruction Of The Rainforest ] [ Destruction Prevention ]

What they are and where they're found...

Tropical rainforests are found in 85 countries around the world. 90% of these forests are concentrated into 15 countries, each country containing over 10 million hectares. Tropical rainforests are located near the equator, where temperatures stay above 80 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

These dense, damp forests occur in Latin and South America, Africa, and in

Southeast Asia.

Although the tropical Rainforest covers just seven percent of the Earth’s surface, they can provide habitat for between 50 and 90% of its plant and animal species.

In 1990, tropical rainforests totaled some 1.7 billion hectares. Half of the world’s rainforests lie within the borders of Brazil, Indonesia, and Zaire.

A tropical rainforest has four layers

	the forest floor
	the understory
	the canopy
	the emergent trees

The forest floor has poor soil. Mainly insects live on this layer, although large mammals like gorillas and jaguars are also found there.

Many smaller animals, including anteaters, lemurs, and tree kangaroos live in the understory. This is also where many small trees and shrubs are found. Bushes, shrubs and trees grow here about 50 to 80 feet above the ground.

The canopy is made up of the tops of trees that can grow to be over 130 feet high. Many tropical birds, monkeys, apes, snakes, and other animals live in the canopy.

The emergent trees grow even higher. Some taller than 160 feet. Butterflies and birds of prey are found in this layer.