1,000 facts about the rainforest

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 layer below the canopy is called the understory. People must realize that by destroying the rainforest, were putting our natural source of fresh air and overall environmental stability at risk. It, therefore, follows that, as elevation increases, night time temperature decreases significantly, which in turn affects the forests ecology. Fascinating Facts about the Food Chain in the Tropical Rainforest, The Stunning Flowers of the Amazon Rainforest, Fascinating Facts about the Canopy Layer of the Amazon Rainforest, The Value of the Tropical Rainforest Avocado Tree to People, The Importance of Rubber Trees to the Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem, The tropical rainforest biome covers less than 10% of the Earths 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, In tropical forests, there are between 1-2 million different insect species which support a very rich food chain, Tropical rainforests experience nearly 12,000 tropical storms per year, with tropical trees such as teak able to withstand hurricane-force winds, There are over 1 million different species of tropical flowering plants. It is over 5.5 million square kilometers, 1.4 billion acres, and extends over . The dense vegetation dulls sound, so manybut not allcanopy dwellers are notable for their shrill or frequent vocalizing. Fact 5: The rainforests have been proven to play a critical role in global climate regulation. In addition to food crops, the Yanomami also cultivate cotton, which is used for hammocks, nets, and clothing. Lets discuss their jungle habitat, rainforest plants, and animals in numbers. Every tropical rainforest biome is important in its own way. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Fact 4: On the African continent, most of the rainforest is concentrated along the Atlantic coast and the Congo River basin, whereas, in most regions of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, only small areas of the temperate rainforest is situated along the coasts where rainfall and humidity are high and humidity is mild. Maybe these devastating rainforest stats about the the lungs of the world destruction will change the way you look at things. 3. 1. Rainforests are crucial for keeping our planet healthy. create a world where people and nature thrive in In turn, this seal allows tourists to make ecologically smart vacation plans. These unique facts about the tropical rainforests show that it has the most diverse ecosystem globally. The rainforest is filled with fascinating flora and fauna. The facts about the rainforest climate are telling that there is no typical four-season weather out there. Unauthorized use is prohibited. All rights reserved. Here are 25+ interesting facts about the rainforests. 1. Many individuals, communities, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are taking innovative approaches to protect threatened rainforest habitats. Contact Us . There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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. 60% of the Congo Rainforest Is in Africa. The Top Rainforest Layer Is the Emergent Layer. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. The Amazon rainforest is the worlds largest tropical rainforest. In their honor, here are some interesting facts about the rainforest animals and insects. One of the tropical rainforest characteristics is the diverse terrestrial ecosystems. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. The canopy is the fourth layer. Due to palm oil concessions, between 1,000 and 5,000 orangutans are killed every year. Rainforests provide us with many products that we use every day. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/physical-geography/15-cool-things-about-rainforests/. thrive. In a distressing development, a 2017 study published in the journal Science reveals that tropical forests that once served as the Earths carbon sinks now emit more carbon than they absorb, because of deforestation and forest loss caused by humans. From the beginning, our approach has been to work with farmers and indigenous and forest communities to cultivate sustainable rural livelihoods that incentivize conservation. These deter rainforest animals such as manatees from eating them. More than one-third of all known species on our planet live in the Amazon Rainforest. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest. Due to the Tropical Rainforests' High Temperatures, the Average Air Humidity Falls Between 77% and 88%. Eventually they extend into the canopy, reaching it via the understory and lower canopy trees, and sometimes growing up with their supporting trees. Performance & security by Cloudflare. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests diverse flora and fauna. Toward the polar regions they grade into boreal forests, which are dominated by evergreen conifers, so that mixed forests containing both deciduous and coniferous trees occupy intermediate areas. Orchids, bamboo, and bromeliads are other rainforest plants. They can also understand basic parts of arithmetic and even, in rare cases, multiplication. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. The emergent layer is made up of the very tallest trees that rise higher than the rest of the forest. More than 50% of precipitation striking a rainforest is returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration, helping regulate healthy rainfall around the planet. Kapok trees, which are found in tropical rainforests around the world, can grow to 200 feet. The Amazon Rainforest is an excellent example of a tropical rainforest biome. Much of the food we love come from the rainforest. Fact 25: Some plants in the rainforest are described as strangler figs. One familiar Tlingit saying is When the tide is out, our table is set., In more inland areas, historic Tlingit hunters may have targeted deer, elk, rabbit, and mountain goats. 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. A rainforest biome is an ecosystem that consists of sprawling forests with diverse flora and fauna. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. 3. Decomposers, such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi, thrive on the forest floor. Also, about two-thirds of the world's flowering plants are in tropical rainforests. Privacy Policy . According to Global Forest Watch, our planet loses tropical forestland equivalent to the size of Bangladesh is every year. What Type of Rainforest Tree Species Are You? According to a study deciphering the Brazilian Atlantic forest, regenerating the rainforest to its native form can take up to 4000 years. The strangler figs then become free-standing trees! Fact 7: More often than not, rainforests are usually hot and steamy. Smaller trees grow in patches of sunlight. A study expedition into a single rainforest found that there are more species of ants living in a single rainforest stump than exist in all of the British Isles! Heres what everyone should know about rainforests: Not only do they regulate global temperatures, they also cool and regulate local micro-climates and limit the Earths reflectivitywhich in turn stabilizes ocean currents, wind, and rainfall patterns. 7. 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! Throughout both the Amazon and Congo, mining and logging operations clear-cut to build roads and dig mines. Tropical rainforests are so warm and moist that they produce as much as 75 percent of their own rain through evaporation and transpiration. Many rainforests are located in developing countries with economies based on natural resources. Fact 13: While rainfall evaporation is carried to other (distant) places to fall as rain in most climates, nearly 50 percent of precipitation in the rainforest comes from local evaporation (generated within the rainforest itself). Trees in the rainforest grow very tall because they have to compete with other plants for sunlight. Tropical rainforests encompass approximately 1.2 billion hectares (3 billion acres) of vegetation and are sometimes described as the Earths thermostat. The Amazon Rainforest has over 1,300 types of birds, 427 mammals, 3,000 fish species, and 2.5 million species of insects. [12] To attract a female partner, male capuchin monkeys will urinate in their hands and then rub it thoroughly into their fur. Rain Forest. Microsoft Encarta 2009 [DVD]. This area is comprised of the tops of trees and . 9. While trees in the emergent layer rely on wind to scatter their seeds, many canopy plants, lacking wind, encase their seeds in fruit. Plants here, such as palms and philodendrons, are much shorter and have larger leaves than plants that dominate the canopy. In addition to their own diet, pigs are valuable economic commodities for trade and sale. Pygmy gliders (Acrobates pygmaeus) are small rodents that get their name from the way flaps of skin between their legs allow them to glide from branch to branch. Unlike many rainforest species, both the Brazil nut tree and the kapok tree are deciduousthey shed their leaves during the dry season. Fact 23: The largest flower in the world The giant rafflesia flower (Corpse lily) is housed in the rainforest. In the Congo rainforest, roads and other infrastructure development have reduced habitat and cut off migration corridors for many rainforest species. Did you know that you should thank the rainforest for every breath you take and most of your food? The world's most expensive coffee is made from coffee beans picked from elephant dung. Are you still not worried about pollution? Tropical rainforests have an average temperature of about 70-85 F (22-30 C). The Alliance also allows tourism businesses use of their seal after they complete an education program on efficiency and sustainability. But there are types of monkeys much different, 89% of CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry, 8% to 10% of all US fires are from discarded cigarettes, 70% of the worlds water supplies go to agriculture, 80% of the worlds insects and 40% of bird species, 50+ Terrifying Factory Farming Facts to Know in 2022, Disturbing Circus Animals Statistics & Facts To Know in 2022, Revealing Vegan Statistics: Veganism Is on the Rise in 2022, 2022s Environment Statistics Beyond the Human Impact, 30+ Insect Population Statistics Every Human Needs to Know. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Not only do they regulate global temperatures, they also cool and regulate local micro-climates and limit the Earth's reflectivitywhich in turn stabilizes ocean currents, wind, and rainfall patterns. The cassowary is one of the most dangerous birds in the world, and also one of the most ancient rainforest animals. It is known for its dense canopies of vegetation that form three different layers. 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. Plants gathered or harvested include berries, nuts, and wild celery.. Located several meters below the canopy, the understory is an even darker, stiller, and more humid environment. 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. Rainforests Cover Less Than 2% of the Earths Surface. Lots of smaller animals live in rainforests too, including dragonflies, tree frogs, and at least hundreds of species of ants. Here are some suggestions on how you can contribute to precious rainforest preservation: Last but not least, spread the word on social media. Think of Pineapple, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Rubber and Medicines They all come from the rainforest! More than 150 ethnic groups have lived in the Congo rainforest for over 50,000 years. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. New Guineas dense tropical forests are home to some of the most unique plants and animals. Butterflies, birds, snakes and small monkeys live in this layer. The Tropical Rainforest Biome Is Home to Over 15 Million Animal Species. In Australia, ground dwellers such as wallabies, bandicoots, and potoroos (small marsupials that are among Australias most endangered animals) feast on the foods provided by the forest floor. Trees in the rainforest grow very tall because they have to compete with other plants for sunlight. Because of their warmth and moisture, tropical rainforests produce. 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. Smaller rodents, such as rats and lowland pacas (a type of striped rodent indigenous to Central and South America), hide from predators beneath the shallow roots of trees that dominate the canopy and emergent layer. The Amazon Rainforest is responsible for producing than 20% of the world's oxygen, which is why it is many times referred to as "Lungs of the Earth". Natali is an animal lover and book addict. Whats more terrifying, some Amazon facts predict the rainforest will collapse even sooner. In fact, the average annual temperature has been put at about 25 degree Celsius (approximately 77 degrees Fahrenheit). According to a study published by Nature, rainforests could tip from carbon sinks to carbon emitters solely due to changing climatic and growth conditions from 2035 onward - thus accelerating catastrophic climate change. Tropical rainforests are found near the equator, with high average temperatures and humidity, while temperate rainforests lie mostly in coastal, mountainous areas within the mid-latitudes. The tallest trees spread their branches and leaves blocking the light from the trees below, and creating a canopy over the forest. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon Rainforest. The understory is the warm, damp, and sheltered layer below the leafy tree canopy. 6. Economic inequalities fuel this rapid deforestation. The above facts about the rainforest show that the human effect on flora and fauna is more destructive than nurturing. This is why the loss of forests often leads to drought. Also, natural remedies like organic CBD oil for dogs and humans or therapeutic essential oils are derived from plants grown in the rainforests. Please be respectful of copyright. They include beetles over 1,000 species , arachnids, scorpions, praying mantises, katydids, weaver ants, bullet ants, butterflies, centipedes, cockroaches, jeweled caterpillars, wasps and bees. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon surged to a 12-year high in the year between August 2019 and July 2020, according to the country's National Institute for Space Research . Like the Chimbu, the Yanomami practice both hunting and shifting-cultivation agriculture. Many species of birds live in the canopy layer of the rainforest such as the Gray Parrot and the Macaw. Amazon facts. weird facts about Amazon rainforest! The rainforests act as natural water filters, keeping pollution out of the water supply. With the continued growth of the strangler figs, they enwrap their hosts and literally strangle the host tree to death! Only the tallest trees can reach to this layer. 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. Rainforests are Earths oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. Rainforests produce about 20% of our oxygen and store a huge amount of carbon dioxide, drastically reducing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Although they are a historically nomadic society, agriculture has become a way of life for many Mbuti communities today as they trade and barter with neighboring agricultural groups such as the Bantu for crops such as manioc, nuts, rice, and plantains. 6. 10. Around 30 million species of plants and animals live in tropical rainforests. Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park on the Pacific northwest coast of North America is an example of a temperate rainforest. Did you know that 89% of CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry? 50 percent of all plant species are found here. By definition, rainforests are woodlands characterized by lush vegetation and comparatively high temperature and rainfall throughout the year. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Little wonder why there are so many species of plants and animals blooming exuberantly in the rainforests. Living in these areas without basic survival instincts is impossible, and many people get lost there without ever returning. Copyright 1987 - 2023, Rainforest Alliance |, natural climate solutions, including forest conservation/restoration, choosing products that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, successful conservation of standing forests. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Besides giving us fresh air, theyre essential for regulating the Earths climate. Gorillas are herbivores that move throughout the dark, dense rainforest as well as more sun-dappled swamps and jungles. Fact 3: In Asia, the largest of the rainforests are situated along the Malay Archipelago (including the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, the Republic of the Philippines and the Malay Peninsula) and the island of New Guinea, including Northern Australia. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Kelps and other seaweeds can be harvested and eaten in soups or dried. Restoring them and their ability to sequester carbon is one of several critical steps we must take to address our global climate crisis. This rainforest biodiversity is immense, containing. The spots on a jaguar (Panthera onca), which are found in the rainforests of Central and South America, may be mistaken for leaves or flecks of sunlight, for instance. Tropical rainforests are mainly located between the latitudes of 23.5N (the Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5S (the Tropic of Capricorn)the tropics. Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Amphibians, such as dazzlingly colored tree frogs, thrive in the humidity because it keeps their skin moist. Rainforests add water to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration, by which plants release water from their leaves during photosynthesis. The Brazilian mahogany produce a large, hard fruit that mature in the rainy season. 4. 9. Rainforest Action Network is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation . Rainforests are a powerful natural climate solution. world.LEARN The Amazon is well known for a number of reasons. She or he will best know the preferred format. They include orchids, lilies, heliconia and bromeliads. So lets look at our Top 50 Fascinating Facts about the Tropical Rainforest! The rainforests understorey layer can be thousands of meters away from the canopy layer. Amazon River facts: The Amazon River is the world's largest river by volume of water, reaching an elevation of 18,366 feet (5,598 m) above sea level. Lightweight seeds are carried away from the parent plant by strong winds. Sunlight strikes the tropics almost straight on, producing intense solar energy that keeps temperatures high, between 21 and 30C (70 and 85F). Trees in temperate rainforests can live much longer than humans, some live for up to 1000 years! These geographic conditions help create areas of high rainfall. Tropical rainforests are found in Central and South America, western and central Africa, western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea, and Australia. 2,853 acres of tropical forest are lost each hour. Kapok trees, which are found in tropical rainforests around the world, can grow to 200 feet. 17 It can reach a length of 30 feet and weigh up to 550 pounds. The Amazon rainforest locations cover nine countries, and more than half of the rainforest is in Brazil. There are rows of sharp spines on the undersides of the leaves. This means they have gardens on arable land that has been cleared of vegetation. The Chimbu practice subsistence agriculture through shifting cultivation. Around 2% of sunlight actually reaches the ground. Ending deforestation is the best chance to preserve wildlife, help stop climate change and protect the rights of forest societies. 17 - There are more than 1,000 different types of trees in a typical rainforest. Lets learn more facts about the rainforest and see what you can do to prevent its destruction. Find out how you can help make a difference. So let's look at our Top 50 Fascinating Facts about the Tropical Rainforest! 400 tribes, with one million Indians, live in the Amazon forests. Lions are famous as Kings of the Jungles, but they usually live in grasslands and savannas. Learn More . The top layer of the rainforest is the emergent layer. The Amazon river has more than 3,000 fish species. This temperature is fairly constant all through the year, since, the temperature near the equator does not change significantly throughout the year. Also, palm oil plantations are the main reason why forest land is being cleared, leaving orangutans with no shelter and food. Because of the intricate interdependencies of the rainforest ecosystem, the entire web can suffer if it is damaged in one . Temperate rainforests are not as biologically diverse as tropical rainforests. The climbing plants expend less energy and time in growing, as the support system (for exposure to sunlight and adequate rainfall) needed for their growth is provided by climbing other trees within the rainforest. Covering over 5.5 million square kilometres, it's so big that the UK and Ireland would fit into it 17 times!. The animals of the temperate rainforest are mostly made up of large mammals and small birds, insects, and reptiles. A . The Amazon rainforest is home to 10% of the world's known species, including more than 2,000 species of birds and 400 species of mammals. Taken together, these processes help to stabilize Earths climate. The silent two-toed sloth chews on the leaves, shoots, and fruit in the canopy. The tropical rainforests are one of the oldest biomes on Earth, with some of them dating back to the age of dinosaurs. In South-East Asia, alternative medicine uses around. Here are our top facts about this magical place. The other 99% are yet to be discovered or have no use in medicine so far. If you purchase via links on Pawsome Advice, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. A rainforest consists of two major areas. The Chimbu also maintain livestock, particularly pigs. They live in the Amazon river. Intergovernmental groups address rainforest conservation at a global scale. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Fact 17: In most rainforests, some places within the forest get at least one (1) inch of rain or more per day! Palm oil production in Para has led to Amazonian water pollution to the extent that it causes people to feel sick after swimming.

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