УО «Барановичский государственный университет»
Tropical Rainforests
What are tropical rainforests?
A tropical rainforest - is the richest biome in the world and is one of the most diverse and productive biomes on Earth. Tropical rainforests grow in the hot, wet, humid places near the Equator. The plants and trees in the rainforest grow to different heights.
Where Are Tropical Rainforests Located?
Tropical rainforests follow the Equator around the world. The world’s most famous rain forests, including the Amazon Rainforest, are found in South America. Other well-known rainforests include Africa’s Congo rainforest, Australia’s Daintree Rainforest, and the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo.
World map showing the Equator (the green line) and the Tropics of Cancer (top yellow line).
Why are they important?
•They are important for various reasons. Firstly, they clean and renew the Earth’s air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Secondly, they provide a home to thousands of animal and plant species.
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Tropical rainforests contain more species of plants and animals than any other habitat. If the world’s rainforests are destroyed, then many of these species will be lost along with them.
Animals That Live In Tropical Rainforests
•South American tropical rainforests are home to animals such as caimans, jaguars, green anacondas, boa constrictors, harpy eagles, red-eyed tree frogs and howler monkeys.
•In African tropical rainforests you’ll find leopards, African forest
elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, okapis, parrots and hornbills.
•Animals that are found in Asian tropical
rainforests include orangutans, tigers, Asian elephants, crocodiles, dholes, clouded leopards, sun bears, gibbons, Malaysian tapirs and slow lorises.
•Australian tropical rainforests are home to tree kangaroos, parrots, saltwater crocodiles, cassowaries, Australian brush turkeys, Cairns bird wing butterflies and goannas.
Plants That Grow In Tropical Rainforests
•South American rainforests are the home of the wild cocoa plant, from which chocolate is made. The medicines quinine and aspirin come from tree bark and cough mixture is from tree resin, both found in rainforests. Some other important products that come from rainforest plants are mahogany wood, rattan, bananas, paprika, pepper and coffee.
