rainforest
Sign in to saveRainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can generally be classified as tropical rainforests or temperate rainforests, but other types have been described.
AI overview
A rainforest is a densely forested area with a continuous canopy of trees, moisture-loving plants, climbing vines, and plants that grow on other plants, where wildfires naturally don't occur. These forests exist in both tropical and temperate regions around the world, though scientists have identified additional types beyond these two main categories.
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Article
19 sectionsContents
- Definition
- Tropical rainforest
- Temperate rainforest
- Dry rainforest
- Layers
- Emergent layer
- Canopy layer
- Understory layer
- Forest floor
- Flora and fauna
- Soils
- Effect on global climate
- Human uses
- Native people
- Deforestation
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Rainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can generally be classified as tropical rainforests or temperate rainforests, but other types have been described.
Estimates vary from 40% to 75% of all biotic species being indigenous to the rainforests. There may be many millions of species of plants, insects and microorganisms still undiscovered in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth" and the "world's largest pharmacy", because over one quarter of natural medicines have been discovered there.