Tropical Rainforest Climate

Rainforests, the green biomes of the world are boon to mankind as they prevent our earth from becoming a dry desert. They are found on lofty mountains or along the seacoasts. In some parts of the world, they are widely stretched over plains or in river valleys. They are known for the greatest biodiversity on the earth, as they are home to numerous species of plants and animals. Moreover, plants and animals found in these forests are quite different. Let us first take a look at what tropical rainforests are and where they are located.

Tropical Rainforests

According to their location and climate, rainforests are classified as tropical and temperate rainforests. Temperate rainforests are present along sea coasts in the temperate zone of the earth, for example, the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Tropical rainforests are found close to the equator and therefore they enjoy ample sunlight. The areas close to the equator are known as tropics and these areas are known for warm and humid climate, throughout the year. No other place on the earth exhibits such a variety of plants and animals, birds and insects as tropical rainforests do. These forests are located in Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Amazon Rain Forest in South America is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. According to the Amazon rainforest facts, the rainforest extends over eight south American countries, namely Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

Tropical Rainforest Climate and Weather

There is only one season in the rainforests, the rainy season! You might be surprised to know that tropical rainforests have been hot and wet since millions of years and they haven't ever experienced any other season than summer! 'Heavy rain' is an invariable part of the weather forecast of these forests. The climate is always hot and humid. These forests hardly experience any climate change. The tropical heat promotes quick evaporation of water and the climate stimulates sudden downpours all around the year. The climate of the Amazon rainforest and the climates of other tropical rainforests are almost the same.

The average temperature in a tropical rainforest is always around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These forests are the wettest place on the earth as they enjoy rains on each and every day. These forests are named as 'thirsty forests' as they enjoy about 100 to 400 inches (about 9 to 30 feet ) of rain per year! The tall trees in the rainforests have to face strong winds as well.

The heat and moisture in the rainforests enhances the process of decaying of dead plants and animals. Rotten and decayed plants and animals in turn supply rich nutrients to the soil. The natural recycling process is worth studying. Plants in these forests rise higher and higher in search of sunlight which leads to the formation of four layers of the rainforests. The emergent layer is the topmost portion of the rainforest, where widespread branches can absorb maximum sunlight. The canopy layer of the rainforest is very thick and dense due to interlocked branches and it therefore forms an umbrella over other growing plants and trees. Plants under these layers receive less sunlight and so are smaller and darker. But they display a wide variety of flowers to attract insects. The forest floor level hardly receives any sunlight. Insects and fungi live there as they feed on decomposed matter on the floor. The soil is very poor but plants develop stilt or prop roots, buttress roots to absorb maximum nutrients from the soil. Lianas, strangler plants, carnivorous plants are characteristic of tropical rainforests. How the animals in these forests have adapted to the nature is also worth studying. The dense and wet forests make the animals develop special characteristics in order to survive, as the rule 'survival of the fittest' applies here as well.

Rainforests cover only 2% of the entire Earth's surface, still they are the greatest source of oxygen, wood, healthy foods like berries, fruits and several medicines (including some cancer medicines). They cover only 6% of the world's land surface, still, according to expert's estimation, these forests would be destroyed by greedy human beings within less than 40 years. Both tropical and temperate rainforests are endangered! Destruction of these forests for wood, pastures and housing is making our earth warmer. Similarly, severe climate changes due to pollution (for which human beings are responsible) can disrupt the growth of rainforests. We have to take utmost care if we don't want our earth to become a dry and barren land.

Tropical rainforest climate helps regulate the dense growth of trees, which in turn help maintain the balance of temperature and rain in other parts of the world. Once these rainforests are gone, we will be deprived of rain and pure air. Rainforest climate facts are thus important from the point of view of the safety and survival of human beings.