The Belize rainforest is also where you'll find thousands of caves, including some that were used by the ancient Maya people to perform some of their most important religious ceremonies. Development is encroaching on rainforest habitats from all sides. The tropical rainforest biome covers less than 10% of the Earth's surface but more than half of all terrestrial species live here; Rainfall in tropical rainforests varies between 2000-5000 mm per year but tropical rainforests only have distinct wet and dry seasons 7. U.S. states and territories facts and photos. Below are 45+ Facts on Tropical Rainforests. The silent two-toed sloth chews on the leaves, shoots, and fruit in the canopy. So lets look at our Top 50 Fascinating Facts about the Tropical Rainforest! Thriving in warm, humid regions, rainforests used to cover the majority of the world; 2. In 2017 alone, we lost 15.8 million hectares of tropical forests; all told, humans have destroyed nearly half of the worlds original forest cover. ), Causes and Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion, Causes and Effects to Environmental Pollution, Causes and Effects of Ocean Acidification, Causes and Effects of Marine Habitat Loss, 35+ Outstanding Facts About the Planet Earth. Photo: Shutterstock. Palm oil is among the threatening biotic factors, and with the increased oil production, the rainforests water and vegetation are at great risk. She or he will best know the preferred format. Fact 1: Rainforests only cover around 2 percent the total surface area of the Earth and about 6% of the Earth's land surface, but about 50 percent of all known species of the plants and animals on the earth live in the rainforest. Learn More . However, we cannot afford to give up on tropical forests. A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall. Fact 25: Some plants in the rainforest are described as strangler figs. The above facts about the rainforest show that the human effect on flora and fauna is more destructive than nurturing. Rainforests are a great source of medicines. Interestingly, plants and trees in the tropical rainforests absorb more carbon dioxide than any other terrestrial ecosystem on Earth! Lets read more amazing facts about the biggest rainforests in the world. LUNGS OF THE EARTH. In fact, one small segment of the rainforest could contain more frog species than all the frogs in North America! They are also much less sunny and rainy, receiving anywhere between 150-500 centimeters (60-200 inches) of rain per year. Fact 17: In most rainforests, some places within the forest get at least one (1) inch of rain or more per day! . 6. The Amazon rainforest in South America is so big that if it were a country, it would be the ninth biggest in the world. But what are the actual statistics? Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and ginger are just a few spices of the rainforest. So let's look at our Top 50 Fascinating Facts about the Tropical Rainforest! The Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit organization that helps businesses and consumers know that their products conserve rather than degrade rainforests. The Top Rainforest Layer Is the Emergent Layer. People also log trees to make fortunes. The understory is the warm, damp, and sheltered layer below the leafy tree canopy. Rainforest inhabitants have a very different life than ours. The Amazon rainforest is truly an ecological kaleidoscope, full of colorful sights and sounds. 30 Fun Penguin Facts For Kids Youll Wish Youd Known, What is a Spit Landform in Geography? The rainforests act as natural water filters, keeping pollution out of the water supply. Sometimes the unconscious things we do can cause greater damage. Poison dart frogs live in the rainforests of Central and South America. (And What Attracts Them? For instance, unique rainforest ecosystems have influenced the diet of cultures from Africa to the Pacific Northwest. A typical exception is the Palm tree (whose bark does not follow the described trend). Although rainforests cover less than 3 percent of the planet, these ecological powerhouses are critical to nearly every aspect of the planets healthincluding our very ability to breathe. Typical examples include The rainforest in Southwestern Canada and Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. Lots of smaller animals live in rainforests too, including dragonflies, tree frogs, and at least hundreds of species of ants. Also, there are more than 1,300 types of birds, 2.5 million insect species, 3,000 fish species, and 427 mammals. Sweet fruit entices animals, which eat the fruit and deposit seeds on the forest floor as droppings. There are rainforests in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The fruit and seeds of many understory shrubs in temperate rainforests are edible. 1 1000-Lb Sisters' Tammy Slaton Almost Died In 2015. These unique facts about the tropical rainforests show that it has the most diverse ecosystem globally. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. thrive. As the name suggests, rainforests are forests that grow in places in which there is a lot of rainfall. These features attract pollinators even in the understorys low-light conditions. Here are five interesting facts about this incredible place: 1. The largest part of the Savanna biome covers almost half of the African surface. More than 150 ethnic groups have lived in the Congo rainforest for over 50,000 years. Economic inequalities fuel this rapid deforestation. Are you still not worried about pollution? Countless animal species live in rainforest layers. One of the tropical rainforest characteristics is the diverse terrestrial ecosystems. Some rainforests are threatened by massive hydroelectric power projects, where dams flood acres of land. The flower is well known for its putrid smell (which attracts flies as its pollinators). They absorb CO2 and release H2O. The dense vegetation dulls sound, so manybut not allcanopy dwellers are notable for their shrill or frequent vocalizing. Crops grown include cassava, banana, and corn. The rainforest floor is very dark, with less than 1% of the light making it through the canopy of the trees. Also, the soil is usually hard and deficient of nutrients. Animals that cant fly or glide are usually quite smallthey need to be light enough to be supported by a trees slender uppermost layers. Thats good because too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can make the planet too warm. See the positive change our work is making around the The Amazon rainforest is home to about 10% of the world's species, including thousands of species of plants, animals, and insects. Intergovernmental groups address rainforest conservation at a global scale. Vampire bats and anacondas live in the rainforests of South America. Rain drips through the canopy, but only speckled sunlight gets through. Bengal tigers, mountain gorillas, orangutans, jaguars, and blue poison dart frogs are just a few of the magnificent animals found in rainforests. Fact 19: Rainforests are remarkably uniform in their general appearance. 2.5 acres of tropical forest are lost every 3 seconds. Rainforests also help maintain the worlds water cycle. Fact 6: The rainforest is home to many plant and animal species. Sunlight strikes the tropics almost straight on, producing intense solar energy that keeps temperatures high, between 21 and 30C (70 and 85F). Taken together, these processes help to stabilize Earths climate. Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems in the world. Tropical rainforests are so warm and moist that they produce as much as 75 percent of their own rain through evaporation and transpiration. This productivity allows many plant species to grow for incredibly long periods of time. More than a hundred (100) millimeter of rainfalls every month (equivalent to about 4 inches of rainfall). 2. Today, we work in more than 60 countries to stop deforestation and initiate reforestation, improve livelihoods, and protect biodiversity. Discover fascinating facts about toucans' distinctive bills, their conservation status, and what they do way up in the rainforest canopies. The canopys dense network of leaves and branches forms a roof over the two remaining layers. Create a world where people and the planet prosper together. Rubber and medicines also come from rainforests. Decomposers, such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi, thrive on the forest floor. They live in the Amazon river. While trees in the emergent layer rely on wind to scatter their seeds, many canopy plants, lacking wind, encase their seeds in fruit. In the next layer, the canopy, the leaves and branches of the trees all touch one another or are connected by vines. Many kinds of plants grow in rainforests. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. There are four layers of rainforest and here is the rainforest layers facts for kids: 1. Capuchin and spider monkeys swing and scamper through the branches of the rainforests estimated 400 billion trees. 25% of modern medicines originate from tropical plants. This species of mahogany is an emergent tree (emerges through the canopy) and grows up to 70 meters tall. It is home to around 40,000 plant species, nearly 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427 species of mammals, and 2.5 million different insects. Rainforests are home to over half of the world's plant and animal species. 3. 1,000 species of birds, and 700 species of fish. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Temperate rainforests are found mostly in coastal, mountainous areas. Chiles rainforests are home to a number of unique birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker and the Juan Fernndez firecrown, a hummingbird species that has a crown of color-changing feathers. More Facts About Rainforests 16 - In many areas, there is an average rainfall per year between 150 - 200 inches or 4500 mm. There are rows of sharp spines on the undersides of the leaves. Lions are famous as Kings of the Jungles, but they usually live in grasslands and savannas. The country also signed an agreement with an American pharmaceutical company, Merck, which sets aside a portion of the proceeds from rainforest-derived pharmaceutical compounds to fund conservation projects. The Livelihood of 1,6 Billion People Depends on the Rainforest. Damage to nature could halve living standards for the poor and reduce global GDP by about 7% by 2050 (BBC News). Fact 14: Usually, much light does not reach the rainforest floor. Rainforests are lush, warm, wet habitats. Here are our top facts about this magical place. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Amazon facts. Rainforest plants are also used in the creation of muscle relaxants, steroids, and insecticides. 4. The bottom tropical rainforest layer, or the forest floor, receives. Sometimes it's almost double that at 450cm. The rainforests encompass more than 3.5 million square kilometers, which represents about half of the total global rainforest cover! The large leaves are necessary to capture as much light as possible (since most of the light is usually intercepted by the leaves of much taller trees). The Black Ivory Coffee costs about $500 per pound, which equals around $50 per cup. Amazon rainforest. Because of the intricate interdependencies of the rainforest ecosystem, the entire web can suffer if it is damaged in one . Share some useful ideas on how to help and motivate others to make a change. This temperature is fairly constant all through the year, since, the temperature near the equator does not change significantly throughout the year. Bring the Facts and the Pressure to Win Systemic Change We leverage our globally-recognized research and reports, peaceful direct actions, narrative savvy, and high-level corporate negotiations to force policy and practice solutions for real change on the ground. Maybe these devastating rainforest stats about the the lungs of the world destruction will change the way you look at things. Monkeys shout and chatter as they swing from tree to tree looking for breakfast. Many of these insects are the principal diet of the canopys reptiles, including the "flying" draco lizards of Southeast Asia. Ending deforestation is the best chance to preserve wildlife, help stop climate change and protect the rights of forest societies. #shorts #ytshorts #viral #amazonrainforest@need2knowww In this video you will see the following:The Amazon rainforest is. The shallow roots of rainforest trees absorb these nutrients, and dozens of predators consume the decomposers! Rainforests once covered 14% of the world's land surface, today they cover just 6%. Central Africas tropical rainforest canopies and understories are home to some of the most endangered and familiar rainforest animalssuch as forest elephants, pythons, antelopes, and gorillas. Orangutans build nests every night out of leaves intropical rainforest trees, giving themselves a safe and comfy place to sleep for the night! The Yanomami practice slash-and-burn agriculture to clear the land of vegetation prior to farming. Here are 25+ interesting facts about the rainforests. 2. The top three biggest rainforests are the Amazon, Congo, and New Guinea rainforest. Fibers such as raffia, bamboo, kapok, and rattan are used to make furniture, baskets, insulation, and cord. 1. 163.172.42.123 At the current rate of tropical forest loss, 5-10 percent of tropical rainforest species will be lost per decade. The Tropical Rainforest Biome Covers 7% of the Earths Surface. When it comes to rare rainforest animals, it's a fact that the biggest nocturnal primate in the world can only be found in Madagascar. Rainforests are essential to life on Earth. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Again, the temperature and rainfall must be high and relatively even throughout the year. In the Amazon rainforest, canopy fruit is snatched up in the large beaks of screeching scarlet macaws (Ara macao) and keel-billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus), and picked by barking spider monkeys and howler monkeys. The rainforest represents the worlds most biologically diverse ecosystems ever to be spotted on Earth! In addition to their own diet, pigs are valuable economic commodities for trade and sale. The upper canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly six meters (20 feet) thick, houses most of the . They can also understand basic parts of arithmetic and even, in rare cases, multiplication. They usually live for 50 - 100 years. Here are 25+ interesting facts about the rainforests. Fact 9: Rainforests are usually absent where the temperature goes below or gets close to 0o This is because the plants and animals which are usually found in rainforests are not well adapted to withstand frost! The rainforest has four layers. Humans have used tropical plant extracts as medicine since 10,000BC, Tropical rainforest soil is very poor in nutrients which means tropical forest plants have to be packed full of nutrients in order for them to grow, There is more carbon in tropical forests than in the atmosphere, It takes tropical trees 10 years to absorb 1 tonne of CO2 per year, The Amazon is home to the most species of amphibian in the world, Around 75 million tonnes of tropical fruit are harvested each year, A total of 50,000 different insects have been identified within tropical rainforests, 90% of all tropical rainforest animals are arboreal which means they spend their entire life living on or within tropical forests, Fungi are often found within tropical forests, Some tropical rainforest trees can grow up to 40m within 10 20 years, Tropical rainforest leaves are used to make paper, The tropical forest soils make tropical forests great for farming, It is estimated that tropical forests harbour over two-thirds of all species on earth. Rainforests are important to our food supply. Bats are the most diverse mammal species in most tropical rainforests, and they regularly fly throughout the emergent, canopy, and understory layers. In contrast, the forest floor receives a small amount of sunlight and humidity. 18 Though it's . Save the Rainforest: Be a Role Model and Get Active. Due to palm oil concessions, between 1,000 and 5,000 orangutans are killed every year. Many of the trees (such as Kapok trees) are supported by thick buttresses which can stretch up to 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) or more. Covering over 5.5 million square kilometres, it's so big that the UK and Ireland would fit into it 17 times!. Costa Rica is a global pioneer in this field, investing in ecotourism projects that financially contribute to local economies and the forests they depend on. Organic matter falls from trees and plants, and these organisms break down the decaying material into nutrients. But some rainforests grow in temperate regions where its cooler. There are many types like tundra, forest, savanna, desert, and freshwater biomes. This means they have gardens on arable land that has been cleared of vegetation. Unsustainable industrial and agricultural development, however, has severely degraded the health of the worlds rainforests. Animals such as wild pigs (Sus scrofa), armadillos, and anteaters forage in the decomposing brush for these tasty insects, roots and tubers of the South American rainforest. 9. Their droppings disperse seeds in these sunny areas where new trees and shrubs can take root. In rainforests on the island of New Guinea, pygmy gliders populate the emergent layer. New Guineas dense tropical forests are home to some of the most unique plants and animals. The thick, woody climbers (about 25cm in diameter) are usually found connecting the trees, ascending up into the treetops and looping downwards. Tammy Slaton's weight loss journey has been a big part of 1000-lb Sisters as she tries to get her health back on track. For example, the Amazon alone has some 1,100 tributaries, 17 of which are over 1,000 miles long. Game hunted by the Yanomami include deer, tapirs (an animal similar to a pig), monkeys, birds, and armadillos. These plants provide food and shelter for small animals and birds . For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. The most expensive coffee in the world is made by the elephants in the rainforests of Thailand. Contact Us . In some rainforests it rains more than an inch every day! The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. All rights reserved. The Amazon Rainforest has over 1,300 types of birds, 427 mammals, 3,000 fish species, and 2.5 million species of insects. With so much food available, more animals live in the canopy than any other layer in the rainforest. Plants here, such as palms and philodendrons, are much shorter and have larger leaves than plants that dominate the canopy. Lianas, woody climbing vines, are an important feature of the rainforest. Tropical tropical trees such as balsa are lightweight yet very strong which means they make good building material, In tropical forests, you can find over 1 million different species of flowering plants, The Amazon tropical rainforest is home to approximately 390 billion individual trees, There are over 30,000 tropical plant species in one hectare of tropical rainforest, Tropical rainforests give us 20% of all the oxygen we breathe, Humans first evolved in tropical rainforests, Over 350 million tonnes of organic matter is recycled through decomposition within tropical ecosystems each year, There are more than 50,000 different species of tropical butterfly, There are over 3000 species of tropical fish, Tropical rainforests cover only 2% of the Earths surface but tropical forests provide habitats for more than half of all land-based creatures. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 70% of plants useful in the treatment of cancer are found only in rainforests. Please be respectful of copyright. The very top part is called the canopy, which can be as tall as 98 feet to 164 feet (30 to 50 meters). Many rainforests are located in developing countries with economies based on natural resources. Red-bellied piranhas (Pygocentrus nattereri) and pink river dolphins swim its waters. The plants and trees in the rainforest naturally absorb the carbon dioxide given off by man and other activities and release oxygen into the environment as they undergo photosynthesis. The strangler figs then become free-standing trees! This list of easy-to-remember rainforest fun facts will keep every kids attention. A mushroom discovered in the tropical rainforest of Ecuador, for example, is capable of consuming polyurethanea hard, durable type of plastic used in everything from garden hoses to carpets to shoes. The Rainforest Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-3377893. This layer of vegetation prevents much of the sunlight from reaching the ground. Fact 1: Before a forest can be classified as a rainforest, the forest must have a closed canopy in which the treetops (or crowns) touch each other, creating a shaded forest interior. Occasional cases of dry seasons are usually short and unpredictable. Living in these areas without basic survival instincts is impossible, and many people get lost there without ever returning. Many biologists expect rainforests will lose 5-10% of their species each decade. 1. Such rapid habitat loss is due to the fact that 40 hectares (100 acres) of rainforest are cleared every minute for agricultural and industrial development. We should thank rainforests for providing some of the best cancer medicines. Rainforests get at least 250cm of rain a year. . Fact 15: The rainforests have been proven to be very productive! Around 30 million species of plants and animals live in tropical rainforests. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna; a 10-square-kilometer (four-square-mile) patch can contain as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies. The Amazon Rainforest is an excellent example of a tropical rainforest biome. Lets get more rainforest information about the effects of industrial pollution. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. Nearly 90 percent of the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty worldwide depend on forests for their livelihoods. Amazing! Rainforests are a powerful natural climate solution. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. As their name implies, temperate rainforests are much cooler than their tropical cousins, averaging between 10 and 21C (50 and 70F). The tallest trees spread their branches and leaves blocking the light from the trees below, and creating a canopy over the forest. 10. Trees in the rainforest grow very tall because they have to compete with other plants for sunlight. Birds droppings in tropical jungles grow new plants. The Amazon River, for instance, is home to the boto (Inia geoffrensis), or pink river dolphin, one of the few freshwater dolphin species in the world. Large-leafed shrubs that are suited to the warmth, shade, and moisture grow here. The Amazon is found in South America, spanning across Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Fact 24: Climbing plants (such as Rattan palms) are abundant in rainforests. Tasmanias temperate rainforests have pine trees that. Many species of birds live in the canopy layer of the rainforest such as the Gray Parrot and the Macaw. 17 - There are more than 1,000 different types of trees in a typical rainforest. While it covers only 3.4 million square miles - less than 2% of the Earth's surface - the Amazon produces more than 10 times that amounts . 9. Fact 22: As trees grow larger within the rainforest, the leaves tend to get smaller. Examples of forests that meet these criteria can be found at the flanks of the equator in Asia, Africa, South, and Central America and South America. The rainforests understorey layer can be thousands of meters away from the canopy layer. The New Guinea Rainforest Has Plants That Date Back 100,000,000 Years Ago. Due to bountiful Pacific inlets, rivers, and streams, the traditional Tlingit diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic life: crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, seals, and fish such as herring, halibut, and, crucially, salmon. 2. In this way, gorillas are keystone species in many African rainforest ecosystems. Forests are also natural water filters, keeping pollution and debris from flowing into water supplies and slowing the movement of rainwater so it flows into underground reserves. The animals living in the emergent layer of the Amazon rainforest include birds, bats, gliders, and butterflies. The plots are never abandoned and are passed on within the family. These geographic conditions help create areas of high rainfall. 2. Cassowary. Palm Oil Plantations Take 27 Million Hectares of the Earths Surface. The diet is here to stay,, We cannot sustain our lives without our planet. Lets discuss their jungle habitat, rainforest plants, and animals in numbers. Even larger predators, including leopards (Panthera pardus), skulk in the darkness to surprise their prey. Rainforests are lush, warm, wet habitats. Shell do anything in her power to help an animal in need. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. Tropical rainforests can have various fungi, shrubs, herbs, woody vines, lichens and mosses. Rainforests also provide us with many medicinal products. Poison dart frogs warn off predators with their bright colors. In turn, this seal allows tourists to make ecologically smart vacation plans. The other 99% are yet to be discovered or have no use in medicine so far. 7. Here's what everyone should know about rainforests: 1. Did you know that you should thank the rainforest for every breath you take and most of your food? The tropical forests of Sumatra and Borneo are home to the Sumatran rhinoceros, which is. Regrowth After A Rainforest Is Cleared. Plus, theres only one Earth, and its in shambles. Gorillas are herbivores that move throughout the dark, dense rainforest as well as more sun-dappled swamps and jungles. Canopy Layer: Many of the foods we love come from the rainforest. The Rainforest Alliance works hand-in-hand with indigenous, forest, and farming communities to advance sustainable development initiatives that cultivate rural prosperity, which is key to the successful conservation of standing forests and other natural resources. We shouldnt underestimate these rainforest habitat facts and stats. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest rainforest, and it covers more than 2.5 million square miles. 9 Amazon Rainforest Fun Facts. Maybe they don't know that they can actively contribute to the protection of the rainforest. Here are some suggestions on how you can contribute to precious rainforest preservation: Last but not least, spread the word on social media. For starters,, Circus animals like big cats, elephants, and bears have all suffered in the name of entertainment throughout the, Vegan statistics are rising worldwide, and theres more than one reason why. Not only do they provide air, water, medicine, food, and shelter to a multitude of living beings, they are also one of our best natural defenses against climate change because of their capacity to absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The flower weighs up to 7kg (approximately 15 pounds) while its petals span almost 1 meter (approximately 1 yard). We havent forgotten about our youngest rainforest explorers. Because rainforests are so rich in biodiversity, they hold enormous potential for future discoveries. Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests diverse flora and fauna. Plants gathered or harvested include berries, nuts, and wild celery.. More than half of it is in Brazil, but parts are in several other South American countries, including Ecuador and Bolivia. Also, natural remedies like organic CBD oil for dogs and humans or therapeutic essential oils are derived from plants grown in the rainforests. They are, however, home to an incredible amount of biological productivity, storing up to 500-2000 metric tons of leaves, wood, and other organic matter per hectare (202-809 metric tons per acre). The Brazilian mahogany produce a large, hard fruit that mature in the rainy season. Among the rich rainforest vegetation, only 1% of plants are in use. All rights reserved. Toucans Make Many Noises. Performance & security by Cloudflare. They are highly varied and complex, containing more than half of the world's plant and animal species yet covering just 6% of the Earth's surface.