1,000 facts about the rainforest
60% of the Congo Rainforest Is in Africa. The tropical islands of Southeast Asia and parts of Australia support dense rainforest habitats. It is the greatest river of South America and the largest drainage system in the world in terms of the volume of its flow and the area of its basin. 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. Rainforests Cover Less Than 2% of the Earths Surface. Fact 20: The barks of trees in rainforests tend to be thin and smooth. As the population grows, people tend to log trees in order to get enough space to settle. More than a hundred (100) millimeter of rainfalls every month (equivalent to about 4 inches of rainfall). The largest part of the Savanna biome covers almost half of the African surface. The very top part is called the canopy, which can be as tall as 98 feet to 164 feet (30 to 50 meters). So, why are we ruining it? 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). More than a hundred (100) millimeter of rainfalls every month (equivalent to about 4 inches of rainfall). 10. They can occur naturally, and rainforests support plants and animals. 7. Also, about two-thirds of the world's flowering plants are in tropical rainforests. Interestingly, plants and trees in the tropical rainforests absorb more carbon dioxide than any other terrestrial ecosystem on Earth! 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. In their honor, here are some interesting facts about the rainforest animals and insects. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 70% of plants useful in the treatment of cancer are found only in rainforests. 17 - There are more than 1,000 different types of trees in a typical rainforest. Pink Dolphin (Boto) Yes, there is such a thing as a pink dolphin, and they are known as the Boto. More than half of the worlds animals live in the rainforest. Lightweight seeds are carried away from the parent plant by strong winds. The upper canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly six meters (20 feet) thick, houses most of the . 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. Thousands and thousands of insect species can also be found in the canopy, from bees to beetles, borers to butterflies. Also, natural remedies like organic CBD oil for dogs and humans or therapeutic essential oils are derived from plants grown in the rainforests. Others have a strong smell, such as orchids. Coffee beans are fed to the elephants in the rainforests of Thailand, then collected and cleaned after the 15-30 hours it takes for them to pass through the elephant's system. The Yanomami are a people and culture native to the northern Amazon rainforest, spanning the border between Venezuela and Brazil. Fact 27: The four major levels in a rainforest are: The emergent layer (The topmost), The Canopy layer, The Understory and The forest floor (Lowest level). New Guineas dense tropical forests are home to some of the most unique plants and animals. The Livelihood of 1,6 Billion People Depends on the Rainforest. According to a study deciphering the Brazilian Atlantic forest, regenerating the rainforest to its native form can take up to 4000 years. Travel the U.S. and find out about different kinds of treesand what makes nature incredibly awesome. With so much food available, more animals live in the canopy than any other layer in the rainforest. This layer of vegetation prevents much of the sunlight from reaching the ground. 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. The Chimbu people live in the highland rainforest on the island of New Guinea. Plus, theres only one Earth, and its in shambles. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. In a 2017 analysis published in the scientific journal PNAS, climate scientists concluded that natural climate solutions, including forest conservation/restoration and sustainable agriculture, could provide more than one-third of the global climate mitigation necessary to stabilize warming to below 2 C. 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. More than 150 ethnic groups have lived in the Congo rainforest for over 50,000 years. Due to the Tropical Rainforests High Temperatures, the Average Air Humidity Falls Between 77% and 88%. Covering . Many of the plants and animals in the rainforest havent even been discovered yet! They are incredibly diverse and complex, home to more than half of the world's plant and animal specieseven though they cover . The Brazil nut tree, a vulnerable species, can live up to 1,000 years in undisturbed rainforest habitats. Rainforests are lush, warm, wet habitats. U.S. states and territories facts and photos. So let's look at our Top 50 Fascinating Facts about the Tropical Rainforest! 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. The Rainforest Alliances Sustainable Agriculture Standard includes requirements designed to protect standing forests, including native forest set-asides for large farms and practices that nurture soil health and increase productivity on existing farmland (thereby reducing pressure to expand by cutting down forests). In Latin American rainforests, you can hear the calls of the black howler monkey. Logically, the tallest trees form the emergent layer, and they get the most sunlight and rain. The importance of rainforest species in public health is even more incredible considering that less than one percent of rainforest species have been analyzed for their medicinal value. Around 30 million species of plants and animals live in tropical rainforests. For example, the Amazon alone has some 1,100 tributaries, 17 of which are over 1,000 miles long. They absorb CO2 and release H2O. She or he will best know the preferred format. Bengal tigers, mountain gorillas, orangutans, jaguars, and blue poison dart frogs are just a few of the magnificent animals found in rainforests. A typical exception is the Palm tree (whose bark does not follow the described trend). These facts about the Amazon rainforest confirm that it has rich vegetation and many unknown species yet to be discovered. 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. The Amazon river has more than 3,000 fish species. 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. In addition to food crops, the Yanomami also cultivate cotton, which is used for hammocks, nets, and clothing. 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. Rainforests are critically important to the well-being of our planet. The cassowary is one of the most dangerous birds in the world, and also one of the most ancient rainforest animals. From macaws and toucans to vipers, bats, and howler monkeys, this gorgeous story introduces kids to the almendro tree, home to more than 1000 organisms. Regrowth After A Rainforest Is Cleared. Fact 18: Rainforests hold more than two-thirds of the worlds plant species! Last year, the reality star almost lost her life after her lungs collapsed, and she was placed into a medically induced coma. Pink river dolphins are often assumed to be blind because their eyes are small and the visibility in the murky waters of the Amazon is so poor, but in fact they have pretty good eyesight and are known to be very inquisitive, even looking into your eyes. Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park on the Pacific northwest coast of North America is an example of a temperate rainforest. Tropical woods such as teak, balsa, rosewood, and mahogany are used in flooring, doors, windows, boatbuilding, and cabinetry. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/physical-geography/15-cool-things-about-rainforests/. The fungi can even consume the plastic in an oxygen-free environment, leading many environmentalists and businesses to invest in research to investigate if the fungi can help reduce waste in urban landfills. Rain Forest Warriors: How Indigenous Tribes Protect the Amazon, National Geographic Environment: Tropical Rain Forest Wildlife. We should thank rainforests for providing some of the best cancer medicines. Even the cool evergreen forests of North Americas Pacific Northwest and Northern Europe are a type of rainforest. To be considered a rainforest it must rain about 80 inches (200 cm) per year, but most of them get more rain by far. Tropical rainforests have an average temperature of about 70-85 F (22-30 C). The upper layer of the rainforest is known as the canopy - and it's got its own little mini ecosystem going on! But if all of us can make even the slightest change in behavior, the world would be a better place. MORE, Home Everyday actions 9 Rainforest Facts Everyone Should Know, Filed Under: Everyday actions Last updated June 20, 2019, Peruvian amazon rainforest in Tambopata reserve. . Bengal tigers and orangutans live in Asias rainforests, and chimpanzees live in the rainforests of Africa. Only around 6% of Earth's land surface is rainforest Further below, you can also read some tips on how to help conserve the rainforests and some good organizations. The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest on Earth, measuring about 2.5 million square miles. Trees and other plants release water into the atmospheresomething called transpirationthen the water falls back to Earth as rain. Development is encroaching on rainforest habitats from all sides. These geographic conditions help create areas of high rainfall. Please be respectful of copyright. For example, there are only dry and wet seasons in tropical forests, with an average temperature of 77 F. Kapok trees, which are found in tropical rainforests around the world, can grow to 200 feet. Wealthy nations drive demand for products, and economic development increases energy use. The Amazon rainforest is home to about 10% of the world's species, including thousands of species of plants, animals, and insects. The rainforests act as natural water filters, keeping pollution out of the water supply. For instance, one of the worlds largest species of bat, the Madagascan flying fox (Pteropus rufus)found on the African island of Madagascaris an important pollinator that mainly feeds on juice from fruit, but will chew flowers for their nectar. You cannot download interactives. 2,853 acres of tropical forest are lost each hour. ), 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. Fact 23: The largest flower in the world The giant rafflesia flower (Corpse lily) is housed in the rainforest. They include beetles over 1,000 species , arachnids, scorpions, praying mantises, katydids, weaver ants, bullet ants, butterflies, centipedes, cockroaches, jeweled caterpillars, wasps and bees. 9. . Palm oil is among the threatening biotic factors, and with the increased oil production, the rainforests water and vegetation are at great risk. They are incredibly diverse and complex, home to more than half of the worlds plant and animal specieseven though they cover just six percent of Earths surface. Here, trees as tall as 60 meters (200 feet) dominate the skyline. Bats are the most diverse mammal species in most tropical rainforests, and they regularly fly throughout the emergent, canopy, and understory layers. The United Nations REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) Program, for example, offers financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions created by deforestation to 58 member countries. The facts about the rainforest climate are telling that there is no typical four-season weather out there. However, we cannot afford to give up on tropical forests. According to Global Forest Watch, our planet loses tropical forestland equivalent to the size of Bangladesh is every year. Kelps and other seaweeds can be harvested and eaten in soups or dried. About 30 million species of plants and animals live in the rainforest. Learn the most interesting rainforest facts and statistics of 2023 about the most diverse, mysterious, and impressive ecosystem on Earth. Learn about the different natural environments of plants and animals. In turn, this seal allows tourists to make ecologically smart vacation plans. The emergent layer is made up of the very tallest trees that rise higher than the rest of the forest. You may also be able to encourage a more resource-conserving use of paper at school or work. There are rows of sharp spines on the undersides of the leaves. RAINFOREST FACTS. Amazing! A rainforest is an area of tall trees and a high amount of rainfall. Sadly, many of these species are on the brink of extinction, and their continued existence is crucial to maintaining the balance of marvelously efficientbut delicaterainforest ecosystems. Sao Paulo CNN . Therefore, the leaves some juvenile (small) plants may be almost 10 times larger than the leaves on adult trees of the same tree species! What Type of Rainforest Tree Species Are You? There are over 100 species of rainforest trees found in each hectare. Rainforests are crucial for keeping our planet healthy. GIVING OPTIONS, The Rainforest Alliance certification seal means that the Rainforests provide us with many products that we use every day. The Rainforest Trust, for example, supports local conservation groups around the world in purchasing and managing critically important habitats. More than 50% of precipitation striking a rainforest is returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration, helping regulate healthy rainfall around the planet. The rainforest provides shelter and food for animals and plants. 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! The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon Rainforest. In Ecuador, the Rainforest Trust worked with the Fundacin Jocotoco to acquire 495 more hectares (1,222 more acres) for the Ro Canand Reserve, considered to have one of the highest concentrations of endemic and threatened species in the world. This means they have gardens on arable land that has been cleared of vegetation. 3. 18 Though it's . 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. Here are five interesting facts about this incredible place: 1. The tropical forests of Sumatra and Borneo are home to the Sumatran rhinoceros, which is. The layer below the canopy is called the understory. Crops harvested in Chimbu garden plots include sweet potatoes, bananas, and beans. The water forms a thick cloud-cover over the rainforest, so it is always warm and humid. 7. Large raptors, such as white-tailed hawks (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) and harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja), are its top predators. Temperate rainforest trees such as the coast redwood in the U.S. state of California and the alerce in Chile are among the oldest and largest tree species in the world.. What, Insect population statistics show that our planet is home to over 10 quintillion insects at any given time., Monkeys symbolize fun, wit, and intelligence to many of us. Only the tallest trees can reach to this layer. We shouldnt underestimate these rainforest habitat facts and stats. 1. Fact 12: In true rainforests, there are no dry seasons! Whats more terrifying, some Amazon facts predict the rainforest will collapse even sooner. A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall. There are many types like tundra, forest, savanna, desert, and freshwater biomes. Around 2% of sunlight reaches the ground. The Tropical Rainforest is a-ma-zing, and if youre learning about it at school, Im sure you agree! Tropical rainforests can have various fungi, shrubs, herbs, woody vines, lichens and mosses. This could be attributed to the favorable plant growth environment the rainforests offer. Over 100 million hectares of tropical rainforest are currently being destroyed each year due to deforestation, There are over 3000 km of roots in one hectare of forest which form a complex mesh that makes soil more stable. EXPLORE YOUR 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. 1. Besides giving us fresh air, theyre essential for regulating the Earths climate. Rain drips through the canopy, but only speckled sunlight gets through. The bottom tropical rainforest layer, or the forest floor, receives. Orchids, bamboo, and bromeliads are other rainforest plants. Impoverished people who live on or near these lands are also motivated to improve their lives by converting forests into subsistence farmland. A portion of the plot may be left fallow for months or years. Rainforests are a powerful natural climate solution. In fact, the average annual temperature has been put at about 25 degree Celsius (approximately 77 degrees Fahrenheit). The Brazilian mahogany produce a large, hard fruit that mature in the rainy season. The biggest rainforest is the Amazon rainforest. Typical examples include The rainforest in Southwestern Canada and Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Maybe they don't know that they can actively contribute to the protection of the rainforest. 9. Palm Oil Plantations Take 27 Million Hectares of the Earths Surface. Here are our top facts about this magical place. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. The Amazon rainforest is truly an ecological kaleidoscope, full of colorful sights and sounds. There is even a tropical rainforest in Alaska! Rubber and medicines also come from rainforests. Parts of the Congo can be found in several other countries too, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. Most lianas produce long shoots with tendrils that attach themselves to a support. Vampire bats and anacondas live in the rainforests of South America. The Amazon is found in South America, spanning across Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The rainforest floor is very dark, with less than 1% of the light making it through the canopy of the trees. They are used to treat asthma, arthritis, malaria, heart disease, and pneumonia. Organic matter falls from trees and plants, and these organisms break down the decaying material into nutrients. In the Congo rainforest, roads and other infrastructure development have reduced habitat and cut off migration corridors for many rainforest species. These plants provide food and shelter for small animals and birds . When these vines get to the top of the trees, they spread to other trees and form a network of vines over the forest below. Palm oil production in Para has led to Amazonian water pollution to the extent that it causes people to feel sick after swimming. Tropical rainforests are home to one-third of the planets animals, including over 1 million different insect species. When one of the big trees dies and falls, the opening lets in more sunlight so that a smaller tree can grow and take its place. Throughout both the Amazon and Congo, mining and logging operations clear-cut to build roads and dig mines. Rainforests hold more than two-thirds of the world's plant species. They include orchids, lilies, heliconia and bromeliads. The plots are never abandoned and are passed on within the family. Sweet fruit entices animals, which eat the fruit and deposit seeds on the forest floor as droppings. 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. Privacy Policy . Fact 14: Usually, much light does not reach the rainforest floor. Fig trees, common throughout most of the worlds tropical rainforests, may be the most familiar fruit tree in the canopy. The Amazon is well known for a number of reasons. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Estimates vary from 40% to 75% of all biotic species being indigenous to the rainforests. While there is some debate about its length, the river is generally believed to be at least 4,000 miles (6,400 km) long, which makes it the second longest river in the world after the Nile River in . With the current deforestation rates, researchers believe that in 100 years, there will be no rainforests. From the forest floor, the Mbuti hunt fish and crabs from the Ituri River (a tributary of the Congo), as well as gather berries from low-lying shrubs. The rainforest is filled with fascinating flora and fauna. Many species of birds live in the canopy layer of the rainforest such as the Gray Parrot and the Macaw. 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 . The temperate rainforests of North America, for example, bloom with berries. The Tropical Rainforest Biome Covers 7% of the Earths Surface. Lions are famous as Kings of the Jungles, but they usually live in grasslands and savannas. Sign up for useful tips to green your life and protect our planet. Although the rainforest region accounts for less than 7 percent of the land surface on Earth, it contains more than 50 percent (conservatively) of the plant and animal species found on Earth. 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". Roughly half of the worlds species can be found here, with an estimated 40 to 100 or more different species of trees present in each hectare. Tropical rainforests are so warm and moist that they produce as much as 75 percent of their own rain through evaporation and transpiration. Rainforest trees can release a lot of water, up to 200 gallons each year. Countless animal species live in rainforest layers. Here are 25+ interesting facts about the rainforests. Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests diverse flora and fauna. Nearly two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest lies within the borders of Brazil. Sunlight strikes the tropics almost straight on, producing intense solar energy that keeps temperatures high, between 21 and 30C (70 and 85F). A fifth of all of the fresh water in the world can be found in the Amazon Basin. The rainforest is waking up. About Us, Jexine 25 Pack Rainforest Figurines Toys Set Assorted Creatures Rain Forest Animals Model Trees Rainforest Trees for Birthday Party Favors, Goodie Bag Fillers, Pinata Fillers, for Boys and Girls, Osmo - Pizza Co. - Communication Skills & Math - Educational Learning Games - STEM Toy - Gifts for Kids, Boy & Girl - Age 5 to 12 - For iPad or Fire Tablet ( Base Required), NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Earth Science Kit - Over 15 Science Experiments & STEM Activities for Kids, Crystal Growing, Erupting Volcanos, 2 Dig Kits & 10 Genuine Specimens (AMAZON EXCLUSIVE), (24 Pack) 4.75 inch x 4.75 inch Mini Coloring Book Party Favors (Mini Rainforest Coloring Book Party Favors, Goodie Bag Coloring Book), Mini Safari Jungle Rain Forest Animals Play Set, Assorted Creatures, 28 ct (2 Sets of 14)- Kids Miniature Party Favors, Bag Stuffer, Pinata Filler, Gift, Prize, Educational Counting & Sensory Toys, WILD REPUBLIC Polybag Rainforest, Five Species of Rainforest Animals, Gift for Kids, Great for Interactive Play, Do Ponds Attract Mice and Rats? Rainforests have been home to thriving, complex communities for thousands of years. Talk to your family, friends, and acquaintances about how they can help save the rainforest too. These trees are mostly broadleaf trees and have a shorter lifespan. A lot of people's livelihoods directly depend on rainforests. Sometimes the unconscious things we do can cause greater damage. Here are some suggestions on how you can contribute to precious rainforest preservation: Last but not least, spread the word on social media. The thick, woody climbers (about 25cm in diameter) are usually found connecting the trees, ascending up into the treetops and looping downwards. The tallest trees spread their branches and leaves blocking the light from the trees below, and creating a . Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and ginger are just a few spices of the rainforest. The most expensive coffee in the world is made by the elephants in the rainforests of Thailand. Therefore, the ground in rainforests is often bare (since little plants would not be able to produce their food from photosynthesis in the absence of energy from the sunlight). The canopy is the fourth layer. They are also much less sunny and rainy, receiving anywhere between 150-500 centimeters (60-200 inches) of rain per year. The Amazon rainforest in South America is so big that if it were a country, it would be the ninth biggest in the world. Photo: Shutterstock. Their droppings disperse seeds in these sunny areas where new trees and shrubs can take root. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. Lizards, jaguars and tigers live at this level. Birds droppings in tropical jungles grow new plants. Now, lets learn some interesting facts about the tropical rainforest biome. Usually, the association is not parasitic. The rainforests encompass more than 3.5 million square kilometers, which represents about half of the total global rainforest cover! Rainforests are disappearing at an alarmingly fast pace, largely due to human development over the past few centuries. Nearly 1.6 billion peoplemore than 25% of the worlds populationrely on forest resources for their livelihoods, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and most of them (1.2 billion) use trees on farms to generate food and income. Poison dart frogs live in the rainforests of Central and South America. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Fact 24: Climbing plants (such as Rattan palms) are abundant in rainforests. In this way, gorillas are keystone species in many African rainforest ecosystems. They usually live for 50 - 100 years. [12] To attract a female partner, male capuchin monkeys will urinate in their hands and then rub it thoroughly into their fur. Rain can take ten minutes to reach the ground in a rainforest. Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems in the world. Partnering with Burung Indonesia, the Trust created a 8,900-hectare (22,000-acre) reserve on Sangihe Island to protect the highest concentration of threatened bird species in Asia. 5. The shallow roots of rainforest trees absorb these nutrients, and dozens of predators consume the decomposers! Beneath the emergent layer is the canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly six meters (20 feet) thick.