Tropical Rainforest

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The term tropical climate: A climate which is typical of equatorial and tropical regions, i.e., one with continually high temperatures with considerable precipitation, at least during part of the year.

Tropical rainfall often exceed 1500 mm and 4000 mm is not uncommon.

Natural flora in tropical rain forest: Four distinct layers:

- Forest floor

- Understorey

- Canopy

- Emergents

Canopy includes thick woody vines, called lianas.

Epiphytes, or air plants, grow on the upper branches of the canopy. These plants include orchids, mosses and lichens. They get their nutrients from the sun.

One plant that uses large trees to support its development is the strangler fig.

The emergents provide habitats for birds, bats, Sun-loving insects, small monkeys.

Canopy below contains arboreal animals that descend to forest floor.

Almost every species of animal represented. Grazers such as deer and mouse deer adapted to environment rather than living on open plants.

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