Rainforest: Difference between revisions
→Dry rainforest: Corrected typo Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
→See also: Trim some links. Rainforest Foundation Fund, Rock for the Rainforest: tangential to article subject and are just two of many advocacy orgs/efforts with articles; Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Tapiche Ohara's Reserve: just two of many sanctuaries/reserves. |
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| image1 = Chiapas Rainforest crop.jpg |
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| image2 = Olympic Rainforest Hiker.jpg |
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| image3 = Gunung Palung Jungle.jpg |
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| image4 = Khao Sok primary tropical rainforest, southern Thailand.jpg |
| image4 = Khao Sok primary tropical rainforest, southern Thailand.jpg |
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| image6 = Rain Forest Walk - Pacific Rim National Park - Vancouver Island BC - Canada Crop- 01.jpg|alt6 |
| image6 = Rain Forest Walk - Pacific Rim National Park - Vancouver Island BC - Canada Crop- 01.jpg|alt6 |
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| image7 = Borneo rainforest.jpg |
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| align = <center>'''Clockwise from top''':</center> |
| align = <center>'''Clockwise from top''':</center> |
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| caption1 = A thick rainforest in [[Chiapas]], [[Mexico]] |
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| caption2 = [[Olympic rain forest|Olympic rainforest]] located at [[Olympic Peninsula]], [[Washington state]] |
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| caption3 = Rainforest at [[Mount Palung National Park]], [[Borneo]] |
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| caption4 = A paranomic view of the Tropical rainforest, [[Nilgiri mountains]], [[India]] |
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| caption5 = [[Canopy (biology)|Canopy]] of [[Khao Sok National Park|Khao Sok]] tropical rainforest |
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| caption5 = Primitive tropical rainforest in [[Palawan]] |
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| caption6 = Primitive tropical rainforest in [[Palawan]] |
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| caption7 = Rainforests in [[Pacific Rim National Park Reserve]] |
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'''Rainforests''' are characterized by a closed and continuous tree [[Canopy (biology)|canopy]], moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of [[epiphyte]]s and [[liana]]s and the absence of wildfire. |
'''Rainforests''' are [[forest]]s characterized by a closed and continuous tree [[Canopy (biology)|canopy]], moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of [[epiphyte]]s and [[liana]]s and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be generally classified as [[tropical rainforest]]s or [[temperate rainforest]]s, but other types have been described. |
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Estimates vary from 40% to 75% of all [[biotic community|biotic]] [[species]] being [[Indigenous (ecology)|indigenous]] to the rainforests.<ref name=Variables>{{cite web|url=http://www.rainforests.net/variables.htm |title=Rainforests.net – Variables and Math |access-date=2009-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205135329/http://www.rainforests.net/variables.htm |archive-date=2008-12-05 }}</ref> There may be many millions of species of plants, insects and [[microorganism]]s still undiscovered in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth" and the "[[medicine chest (idiom)|world's largest pharmacy]]", because over one quarter of natural [[medicine]]s have been discovered there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/rainforests/rainforests.html |title=Rainforests at Animal Center |publisher=Animalcorner.co.uk |date=2004-01-01 |access-date=2012-08-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708045901/http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/rainforests/rainforests.html |archive-date=2012-07-08 }}</ref> |
Estimates vary from 40% to 75% of all [[biotic community|biotic]] [[species]] being [[Indigenous (ecology)|indigenous]] to the rainforests.<ref name=Variables>{{cite web|url=http://www.rainforests.net/variables.htm |title=Rainforests.net – Variables and Math |access-date=2009-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205135329/http://www.rainforests.net/variables.htm |archive-date=2008-12-05 }}</ref> There may be many millions of species of plants, insects and [[microorganism]]s still undiscovered in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth" and the "[[medicine chest (idiom)|world's largest pharmacy]]", because over one quarter of natural [[medicine]]s have been discovered there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/rainforests/rainforests.html |title=Rainforests at Animal Center |publisher=Animalcorner.co.uk |date=2004-01-01 |access-date=2012-08-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708045901/http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/rainforests/rainforests.html |archive-date=2012-07-08 }}</ref> |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, high humidity, the presence of moisture-dependent vegetation, a moist layer of leaf litter, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. The largest areas of rainforest are tropical or temperate rainforests, but other vegetation associations including [[Laurel forest|subtropical rainforest]], [[Littoral Rainforests of New South Wales|littoral rainforest]], [[cloud forest]], vine thicket and even dry rainforest have been described.<ref name="WTMA">{{cite web |title=Rainforests |url=https://www.wettropics.gov.au/rainforest |publisher=Wet Tropics Management Authority |access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Qld.">{{cite web |title=Rainforests |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/habitats/rainforests |publisher=The State of Queensland |access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="OEH">{{cite web |title=Rainforests |url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/VegFormation.aspx?formationName=Rainforests |publisher=New South Wales Government Office of Environment and heritage |access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="dpipwe">{{cite web |title=Dry Rainforest |url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/conservation/conservation-on-private-land/bush-information-management/identify-your-bush-type/bush-with-a-tree-layer-made-up-of-trees-that-are-not-eucalypts/dry-rainforest |publisher=Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment |access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="NSW">{{cite web |title=Western Sydney Dry Rainforest |url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/EECinfoWesternSydneyDryRainforest.pdf |publisher=New South Wales Government Department of Planning, Industry and Environment |access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref> |
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===Tropical rainforest=== |
===Tropical rainforest=== |
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[[File:Rain forest location map.png|thumb|upright=1.8|Location of tropical (dark green) and temperate/subtropical (light green) rainforests in the world.]] |
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[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map Af present.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|Worldwide tropical rainforest climate zones.]] |
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map Af present.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|Worldwide tropical rainforest climate zones.]] |
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{{Main|Tropical rainforest}} |
{{Main|Tropical rainforest}} |
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{{Main|Temperate rainforest}} |
{{Main|Temperate rainforest}} |
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Tropical forests cover a large part of the globe, but temperate rainforests only occur in few regions around the world.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Link |first1=Timothy E. |last2=Unsworth |first2=Mike |last3=Marks |first3=Danny |title=The dynamics of rainfall interception by a seasonal temperate rainforest |journal=Agricultural and Forest Meteorology |date=August 2004 |volume=124 |issue=3–4 |pages=171–191 |doi=10.1016/j.agrformet.2004.01.010 |bibcode=2004AgFM..124..171L }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cunningham |first1=S. C. |last2=Read |first2=J. |title=Do temperate rainforest trees have a greater ability to acclimate to changing temperatures than tropical rainforest trees? |journal=New Phytologist |date=January 2003 |volume=157 |issue=1 |pages=55–64 |doi=10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00652.x |pmid=33873691 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Temperate rainforests are rainforests in [[temperateness|temperate]] regions. They occur in [[North America]] (in the [[Pacific Northwest]] in [[Alaska]], [[British Columbia]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Oregon]] and [[California]]), in [[Europe]] (parts of the [[British Isles]] such as the coastal areas of [[Ireland]] and [[Scotland]], [[southern Norway]], parts of the western [[Balkans]] along the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] coast, as well as in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and coastal areas of the eastern [[Black Sea]], including [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and coastal [[Turkey]]), in [[East Asia]] (in [[Northern and southern China|southern China]], Highlands of [[Taiwan]], much of [[Japan]] and [[Korea]], and on [[Sakhalin|Sakhalin Island]] and the adjacent [[Temperate rainforests of the Russian Far East|Russian Far East]] coast), in [[South America]] (southern [[Chile]]) and also in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/temprain.htm|title= The Temperate Rainforest}}</ref> |
Tropical forests cover a large part of the globe, but temperate rainforests only occur in a few regions around the world.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Link |first1=Timothy E. |last2=Unsworth |first2=Mike |last3=Marks |first3=Danny |title=The dynamics of rainfall interception by a seasonal temperate rainforest |journal=Agricultural and Forest Meteorology |date=August 2004 |volume=124 |issue=3–4 |pages=171–191 |doi=10.1016/j.agrformet.2004.01.010 |bibcode=2004AgFM..124..171L }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cunningham |first1=S. C. |last2=Read |first2=J. |title=Do temperate rainforest trees have a greater ability to acclimate to changing temperatures than tropical rainforest trees? |journal=New Phytologist |date=January 2003 |volume=157 |issue=1 |pages=55–64 |doi=10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00652.x |pmid=33873691 |doi-access=free |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30080507 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Temperate rainforests are rainforests in [[temperateness|temperate]] regions. They occur in [[North America]] (in the [[Pacific Northwest]] in [[Alaska]], [[British Columbia]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Oregon]] and [[California]]), in [[Europe]] (parts of the [[British Isles]] such as the coastal areas of [[Ireland]] and [[Scotland]], [[southern Norway]], parts of the western [[Balkans]] along the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] coast, as well as in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and coastal areas of the eastern [[Black Sea]], including [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and coastal [[Turkey]]), in [[East Asia]] (in [[Northern and southern China|southern China]], Highlands of [[Taiwan]], much of [[Japan]] and [[Korea]], and on [[Sakhalin|Sakhalin Island]] and the adjacent [[Temperate rainforests of the Russian Far East|Russian Far East]] coast), in [[South America]] (southern [[Chile]]) and also in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/temprain.htm|title= The Temperate Rainforest}}</ref> |
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===Dry rainforest=== |
===Dry rainforest=== |
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==Layers== |
==Layers== |
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{{main|Stratification (vegetation)}} |
{{main|Stratification (vegetation)}} |
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A tropical rainforest typically has a number of layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area. Examples include the emergent, [[canopy (biology)|canopy]], [[understory]] and [[forest floor]] layers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Denslow |first1=J S |title=Tropical Rainforest Gaps and Tree Species Diversity |journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics |date=November 1987 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=431–451 |doi=10.1146/annurev.es.18.110187.002243 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=A Physiognomic Classification of Australian Rain Forests|first1=Len|last1=Webb|author-link=Leonard Webb (academic) | journal = Journal of Ecology| publisher=British Ecological Society : Journal of Ecology Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 551-570|date=1 Oct 1959|volume = 47|issue = 3|pages = 551–570|doi = 10.2307/2257290|jstor = 2257290}}</ref> |
A tropical rainforest typically has a number of layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area. Examples include the emergent, [[canopy (biology)|canopy]], [[understory]] and [[forest floor]] layers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Denslow |first1=J S |title=Tropical Rainforest Gaps and Tree Species Diversity |journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics |date=November 1987 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=431–451 |doi=10.1146/annurev.es.18.110187.002243 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=A Physiognomic Classification of Australian Rain Forests|first1=Len|last1=Webb|author-link=Leonard Webb (academic) | journal = Journal of Ecology| publisher=British Ecological Society : Journal of Ecology Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 551-570|date=1 Oct 1959|volume = 47|issue = 3|pages = 551–570|doi = 10.2307/2257290|jstor = 2257290|bibcode=1959JEcol..47..551W }}</ref> |
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===Emergent layer=== |
===Emergent layer=== |
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==Flora and fauna== |
==Flora and fauna== |
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More than half of the world's species of plants and animals are found in |
More than half of the world's species of plants and animals are found in rainforests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm |title=Rainforest Facts |publisher=Rain-tree.com |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> Rainforests support a very broad array of [[fauna]], including [[mammal]]s, [[reptile]]s, [[amphibian]]s, [[bird]]s and [[invertebrate]]s. Mammals may include [[primate]]s, [[felidae|felids]] and other families. Reptiles include [[snake]]s, [[turtle]]s, [[chameleon]]s and other families; while birds include such families as [[vanga|vangidae]] and [[cuckoo|Cuculidae]]. Dozens of families of invertebrates are found in rainforests. [[Fungus|Fungi]] are also very common in rainforest areas as they can feed on the decomposing remains of plants and animals. |
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The great diversity in rainforest species is in large part the result of diverse and numerous physical [[Refuge (ecology)|refuges]],<ref name="RitchieJohnson2009">{{cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Euan G. |last2=Johnson |first2=Christopher N. |title=Predator interactions, mesopredator release and biodiversity conservation |journal=Ecology Letters |date=September 2009 |volume=12 |issue=9 |pages=982–998 |doi=10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01347.x |pmid=19614756 |s2cid=11744558 |doi-access=free }}</ref> i.e. places in which plants are inaccessible to many herbivores, or in which animals can hide from predators. Having numerous refuges available also results in much higher total [[Biomass (ecology)|biomass]] than would otherwise be possible.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0040-5809(87)90019-0 |title=Prey refuges and predator-prey stability |journal=Theoretical Population Biology |volume=31 |pages=1–12 |year=1987 |last1=Sih |first1=Andrew }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0040-5809(86)90004-3 |pmid=3961711 |title=The effects of refuges on predator-prey interactions: A reconsideration |journal=Theoretical Population Biology |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=38–63 |year=1986 |last1=McNair |first1=James N.}}</ref> |
The great diversity in rainforest species is in large part the result of diverse and numerous physical [[Refuge (ecology)|refuges]],<ref name="RitchieJohnson2009">{{cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Euan G. |last2=Johnson |first2=Christopher N. |title=Predator interactions, mesopredator release and biodiversity conservation |journal=[[Ecology Letters]] |date=September 2009 |volume=12 |issue=9 |pages=982–998 |doi=10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01347.x |pmid=19614756 |s2cid=11744558 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2009EcolL..12..982R |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30039763 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> i.e. places in which plants are inaccessible to many herbivores, or in which animals can hide from predators. Having numerous refuges available also results in much higher total [[Biomass (ecology)|biomass]] than would otherwise be possible.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0040-5809(87)90019-0 |title=Prey refuges and predator-prey stability |journal=Theoretical Population Biology |volume=31 |pages=1–12 |year=1987 |last1=Sih |first1=Andrew }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0040-5809(86)90004-3 |pmid=3961711 |title=The effects of refuges on predator-prey interactions: A reconsideration |journal=Theoretical Population Biology |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=38–63 |year=1986 |last1=McNair |first1=James N.}}</ref> |
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<gallery class="center" widths="220" heights="160"> |
<gallery class="center" widths="220" heights="160"> |
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File:Standing jaguar.jpg|A [[South American jaguar|jaguar]] in the [[Amazon Rainforest]], [[South America]] |
File:Standing jaguar.jpg|A [[South American jaguar|jaguar]] in the [[Amazon Rainforest]], [[South America]] |
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File:MonkeyJungle 03.JPG|[[Western lowland gorilla]] in the [[African rainforest]] |
File:MonkeyJungle 03.JPG|[[Western lowland gorilla]] in the [[African rainforest]] |
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File:Pongo tapanuliensis2.jpg|[[Orangutans]] in [[Tanjung Puting]], Indonesia |
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File:Anaconda jaune 34.JPG|[[Yellow anaconda|Yellow anacondas]] reside in the [[Amazon basin]] |
File:Anaconda jaune 34.JPG|[[Yellow anaconda|Yellow anacondas]] reside in the [[Amazon basin]] |
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File:Lion-tailed macaque by N A Naseer.jpg|[[Lion-tailed macaque]] in [[Silent Valley National Park]], India |
File:Lion-tailed macaque by N A Naseer.jpg|[[Lion-tailed macaque]] in [[Silent Valley National Park]], India |
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File:Amazon macaw.jpg|A [[Macaw]] in the Amazon rainforest |
File:Amazon macaw.jpg|A [[Macaw]] in the Amazon rainforest |
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</gallery>Some species of fauna show a trend towards declining populations in rainforests, for example, reptiles that feed on amphibians and reptiles. This trend requires close monitoring.<ref>Barquero-González, J.P., Stice, T.L., Gómez, G., & Monge |
</gallery>Some species of fauna show a trend towards declining populations in rainforests, for example, reptiles that feed on amphibians and reptiles. This trend requires close monitoring.<ref>Barquero-González, J.P., Stice, T.L., Gómez, G., & [[Julian Monge Najera|Monge-Nájera, J.]] (2020). Are tropical reptiles really declining? A six-year survey of snakes in a tropical coastal rainforest: role of prey and environment. ''[[Revista de Biología Tropical]]'', 68(1), 336-343.</ref> The seasonality of rainforests affects the reproductive patterns of amphibians, and this in turn can directly affect the species of reptiles that feed on these groups,<ref>Oliveira, M.E., & Martins, M. (2001). When and where to find a pitviper: activity patterns and habitat use of the lancehead, ''Bothrops atrox'', in central Amazonia, Brazil. ''Herpetological Natural History, 8''(2), 101'''''-'''''110. </ref> particularly species with specialized feeding, since these are less likely to use alternative resources.<ref>Terborgh, J., & Winter, B. (1980). Some causes of extinction. ''Conservation Biology, 2'', 119'''''-'''''133.</ref> |
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==Soils== |
==Soils== |
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==Effect on global climate== |
==Effect on global climate== |
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A natural rainforest emits and absorbs vast quantities of [[carbon dioxide]]. On a global scale, long-term fluxes are approximately in balance, so that an undisturbed rainforest would have a small net impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grida.no/CLIMATE/IPCC_TAR/wg1/pdf/TAR-03.PDF |title=Grida.no |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> though they may have other climatic effects (on [[cloud]] formation, for example, by recycling [[water vapour]]). No rainforest today can be considered to be undisturbed.<ref name = Lewis>{{cite journal |last1=Lewis |first1=S. L. |last2=Phillips |first2=O. L. |last3=Baker |first3=T. R. |last4=Lloyd |first4=J. |last5=Malhi |first5=Y. |last6=Almeida |first6=S. |last7=Higuchi |first7=N. |last8=Laurance |first8=W. F. |last9=Neill |first9=D. A. |last10=Silva |first10=J. N. M. |last11=Terborgh |first11=J. |last12=Torres Lezama |first12=A. |last13=Vásquez Martinez |first13=R. |last14=Brown |first14=S. |last15=Chave |first15=J. |last16=Kuebler |first16=C. |last17=Núñez Vargas |first17=P. |last18=Vinceti |first18=B. |title=Concerted changes in tropical forest structure and dynamics: evidence from 50 South American long-term plots |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences |date=29 March 2004 |volume=359 |issue=1443 |pages=421–436 |doi=10.1098/rstb.2003.1431 |pmid=15212094 |pmc=1693337 }}</ref> Human-induced [[deforestation]] plays a significant role in causing rainforests to release carbon dioxide,<ref name = Malhi>{{cite journal |last1=Malhi |first1=Yadvinder |last2=Grace |first2=John |title=Tropical forests and atmospheric carbon dioxide |journal=Trends in Ecology & Evolution |date=August 2000 |volume=15 |issue=8 |pages=332–337 |doi=10.1016/s0169-5347(00)01906-6 |pmid=10884705 }}</ref><ref name=trgac>{{cite book |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567066.003.0002 |chapter=Twenty-first century atmospheric change and deforestation: Potential impacts on tropical forests |title=Tropical Forests and Global Atmospheric Change |year=2005 |last1=Cramer |first1=Wolfgang |last2=Bondeau |first2=Alberte |last3=Schaphoff |first3=Sibyll |last4=Lucht |first4=Wolfgang |last5=Smith |first5=Ben |last6=Sitch |first6=Stephen |pages=17–30 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-856706-6 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baccini |first1=A. |last2=Walker |first2=W. |last3=Carvalho |first3=L. |last4=Farina |first4=M. |last5=Sulla-Menashe |first5=D. |last6=Houghton |first6=R. A. |title=Tropical forests are a net carbon source based on aboveground measurements of gain and loss |journal=Science |date=13 October 2017 |volume=358 |issue=6360 |pages=230–234 |doi=10.1126/science.aam5962 |pmid=28971966 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2017Sci...358..230B }}</ref> as do other factors, whether human-induced or natural, which result in tree death, such as burning and drought.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/06/1078464675256.html?from=storyrhs | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Drought may turn forests into carbon producers | date=2004-03-06}}</ref> Some climate models operating with interactive vegetation predict a large loss of Amazonian rainforest around 2050 due to drought, forest dieback and the subsequent release of more carbon dioxide.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=P. M. |last2=Betts |first2=R. A. |last3=Collins |first3=M. |last4=Harris |first4=P. P. |last5=Huntingford |first5=C. |last6=Jones |first6=C. D. |title=Amazonian forest dieback under climate-carbon cycle projections for the 21st century |journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology |date=June 2004 |volume=78 |issue=1–3 |page=137 |doi=10.1007/s00704-004-0049-4 |bibcode=2004ThApC..78..137C |s2cid=5122043 }}</ref> |
A natural rainforest emits and absorbs vast quantities of [[carbon dioxide]]. On a global scale, long-term fluxes are approximately in balance, so that an undisturbed rainforest would have a small net impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grida.no/CLIMATE/IPCC_TAR/wg1/pdf/TAR-03.PDF |title=Grida.no |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> though they may have other climatic effects (on [[cloud]] formation, for example, by recycling [[water vapour]]). No rainforest today can be considered to be undisturbed.<ref name = Lewis>{{cite journal |last1=Lewis |first1=S. L. |last2=Phillips |first2=O. L.|author2-link=Oliver Phillips (ecologist) |last3=Baker |first3=T. R. |last4=Lloyd |first4=J. |last5=Malhi |first5=Y. |last6=Almeida |first6=S. |last7=Higuchi |first7=N. |last8=Laurance |first8=W. F. |last9=Neill |first9=D. A. |last10=Silva |first10=J. N. M. |last11=Terborgh |first11=J. |last12=Torres Lezama |first12=A. |last13=Vásquez Martinez |first13=R. |last14=Brown |first14=S. |last15=Chave |first15=J. |last16=Kuebler |first16=C. |last17=Núñez Vargas |first17=P. |last18=Vinceti |first18=B. |title=Concerted changes in tropical forest structure and dynamics: evidence from 50 South American long-term plots |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences |date=29 March 2004 |volume=359 |issue=1443 |pages=421–436 |doi=10.1098/rstb.2003.1431 |pmid=15212094 |pmc=1693337 }}</ref> Human-induced [[deforestation]] plays a significant role in causing rainforests to release carbon dioxide,<ref name = Malhi>{{cite journal |last1=Malhi |first1=Yadvinder |last2=Grace |first2=John |title=Tropical forests and atmospheric carbon dioxide |journal=Trends in Ecology & Evolution |date=August 2000 |volume=15 |issue=8 |pages=332–337 |doi=10.1016/s0169-5347(00)01906-6 |pmid=10884705 }}</ref><ref name=trgac>{{cite book |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567066.003.0002 |chapter=Twenty-first century atmospheric change and deforestation: Potential impacts on tropical forests |title=Tropical Forests and Global Atmospheric Change |year=2005 |last1=Cramer |first1=Wolfgang |last2=Bondeau |first2=Alberte |last3=Schaphoff |first3=Sibyll |last4=Lucht |first4=Wolfgang |last5=Smith |first5=Ben |last6=Sitch |first6=Stephen |pages=17–30 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-856706-6 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baccini |first1=A. |last2=Walker |first2=W. |last3=Carvalho |first3=L. |last4=Farina |first4=M. |last5=Sulla-Menashe |first5=D. |last6=Houghton |first6=R. A. |title=Tropical forests are a net carbon source based on aboveground measurements of gain and loss |journal=Science |date=13 October 2017 |volume=358 |issue=6360 |pages=230–234 |doi=10.1126/science.aam5962 |pmid=28971966 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2017Sci...358..230B }}</ref> as do other factors, whether human-induced or natural, which result in tree death, such as burning and drought.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/06/1078464675256.html?from=storyrhs | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Drought may turn forests into carbon producers | date=2004-03-06}}</ref> Some climate models operating with interactive vegetation predict a large loss of Amazonian rainforest around 2050 due to [[drought]], [[forest dieback]] and the subsequent release of more carbon dioxide.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=P. M. |last2=Betts |first2=R. A. |last3=Collins |first3=M. |last4=Harris |first4=P. P. |last5=Huntingford |first5=C. |last6=Jones |first6=C. D. |title=Amazonian forest dieback under climate-carbon cycle projections for the 21st century |journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology |date=June 2004 |volume=78 |issue=1–3 |page=137 |doi=10.1007/s00704-004-0049-4 |bibcode=2004ThApC..78..137C |s2cid=5122043 }}</ref> |
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==Human uses== |
==Human uses== |
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On January 18, 2007, [[Fundação Nacional do Índio|FUNAI]] reported also that it had confirmed the presence of 67 different [[uncontacted peoples|uncontacted tribes]] in Brazil, up from 40 in 2005. With this addition, [[Brazil]] has now overtaken the island of [[New Guinea]] as the country having the largest number of uncontacted tribes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN17285256 |title=Brazil sees traces of more isolated Amazon tribes |publisher=Reuters.com |date=2007-01-17 |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> The province of Irian Jaya or [[West Papua (Indonesian province)|West Papua]] in the island of New Guinea is home to an estimated 44 uncontacted tribal groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.survival-international.org/news.php?id=2191|date=2007-01-25|title=BBC: First contact with isolated tribes?|url-status=dead|website=SurvivalInternational.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206061137/http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2191|archive-date=2008-02-06|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> The tribes are in danger because of the deforestation, especially in Brazil. |
On January 18, 2007, [[Fundação Nacional do Índio|FUNAI]] reported also that it had confirmed the presence of 67 different [[uncontacted peoples|uncontacted tribes]] in Brazil, up from 40 in 2005. With this addition, [[Brazil]] has now overtaken the island of [[New Guinea]] as the country having the largest number of uncontacted tribes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN17285256 |title=Brazil sees traces of more isolated Amazon tribes |publisher=Reuters.com |date=2007-01-17 |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> The province of Irian Jaya or [[West Papua (Indonesian province)|West Papua]] in the island of New Guinea is home to an estimated 44 uncontacted tribal groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.survival-international.org/news.php?id=2191|date=2007-01-25|title=BBC: First contact with isolated tribes?|url-status=dead|website=SurvivalInternational.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206061137/http://survival-international.org/news.php?id=2191|archive-date=2008-02-06|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> The tribes are in danger because of the deforestation, especially in Brazil. |
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Central African rainforest is home of the [[Mbuti]] [[pygmies]], one of the hunter-gatherer peoples living in equatorial rainforests characterised by their short height (below one and a half metres, or 59 inches, on average). They were the subject of a study by [[Colin Turnbull]], ''The Forest People'', in 1962.<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/26252/explore/15.htm The Tribal Peoples] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020212056/http://library.thinkquest.org/26252/explore/15.htm |date=2012-10-20 }}, [[ThinkQuest]]</ref> Pygmies who live in Southeast Asia are, amongst others, referred to as |
Central African rainforest is home of the [[Mbuti]] [[pygmies]], one of the hunter-gatherer peoples living in equatorial rainforests characterised by their short height (below one and a half metres, or 59 inches, on average). They were the subject of a study by [[Colin Turnbull]], ''The Forest People'', in 1962.<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/26252/explore/15.htm The Tribal Peoples] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020212056/http://library.thinkquest.org/26252/explore/15.htm |date=2012-10-20 }}, [[ThinkQuest]]</ref> Pygmies who live in Southeast Asia are, amongst others, referred to as "[[Negrito]]". |
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There are many tribes in the rainforests of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Sarawak is part of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. Some of the other tribes in Sarawak are: the Kayan, Kenyah, Kejaman, Kelabit, Punan Bah, Tanjong, Sekapan, and the Lahanan. Collectively, they are referred to as Dayaks or Orangulu which means "people of the interior".<ref>{{cite web |title=Indigenous People of the Rainforest |url=https://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/background/people.htm |website=Rainforest Information Centre Educational Supplement |access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref> |
There are many tribes in the rainforests of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Sarawak is part of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. Some of the other tribes in Sarawak are: the Kayan, Kenyah, Kejaman, Kelabit, Punan Bah, Tanjong, Sekapan, and the Lahanan. Collectively, they are referred to as Dayaks or Orangulu which means "people of the interior".<ref>{{cite web |title=Indigenous People of the Rainforest |url=https://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/background/people.htm |website=Rainforest Information Centre Educational Supplement |access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref> |
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Another factor causing the loss of rainforest is expanding [[urban area]]s. [[Littoral zone|Littoral]] rainforest growing along [[coast]]al areas of eastern [[Australia]] is now rare due to [[ribbon development]] to accommodate the demand for [[seachange (demography)|seachange]] lifestyles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment/plants__and__animals/threatened_species/endangered_ecological_communities/littoral_rainforest |title=Littoral Rainforest-Why is it threatened? |publisher=Pittwater.nsw.gov.au |date=2012-08-09 |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> |
Another factor causing the loss of rainforest is expanding [[urban area]]s. [[Littoral zone|Littoral]] rainforest growing along [[coast]]al areas of eastern [[Australia]] is now rare due to [[ribbon development]] to accommodate the demand for [[seachange (demography)|seachange]] lifestyles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment/plants__and__animals/threatened_species/endangered_ecological_communities/littoral_rainforest |title=Littoral Rainforest-Why is it threatened? |publisher=Pittwater.nsw.gov.au |date=2012-08-09 |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> |
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Forests are being destroyed at a rapid pace.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Feng |first1=Yu |last2=Zeng |first2=Zhenzhong |last3=Searchinger |first3=Timothy D. |last4=Ziegler |first4=Alan D. |last5=Wu |first5=Jie |last6=Wang |first6=Dashan |last7=He |first7=Xinyue |last8=Elsen |first8=Paul R. |last9=Ciais |first9=Philippe |last10=Xu |first10=Rongrong |last11=Guo |first11=Zhilin |date=2022-02-28 |title=Doubling of annual forest carbon loss over the tropics during the early twenty-first century |
Forests are being destroyed at a rapid pace.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Feng |first1=Yu |last2=Zeng |first2=Zhenzhong |last3=Searchinger |first3=Timothy D. |last4=Ziegler |first4=Alan D. |last5=Wu |first5=Jie |last6=Wang |first6=Dashan |last7=He |first7=Xinyue |last8=Elsen |first8=Paul R. |last9=Ciais |first9=Philippe |last10=Xu |first10=Rongrong |last11=Guo |first11=Zhilin |date=2022-02-28 |title=Doubling of annual forest carbon loss over the tropics during the early twenty-first century |journal=Nature Sustainability |volume=5 |issue=5 |language=en |pages=444–451 |doi=10.1038/s41893-022-00854-3 |s2cid=247160560 |issn=2398-9629|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022NatSu...5..444F |hdl=2346/92751 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,430401,00.html Brazil: Amazon Forest Destruction Rate Has Tripled], [[Fox News Channel|FoxNews.com]], September 29, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0602-png.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608214139/http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0602-png.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-06-08 |title=Papua New Guinea's rainforests disappearing faster than thought |publisher=News.mongabay.com |access-date=2012-08-26 }}</ref> Almost 90% of [[West Africa]]'s rainforest has been destroyed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csupomona.edu/~admckettrick/projects/ag101_project/html/size.html |title=Rainforests & Agriculture |publisher=Csupomona.edu |access-date=2012-08-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930064512/http://www.csupomona.edu/~admckettrick/projects/ag101_project/html/size.html |archive-date=2012-09-30 }}</ref> Since the arrival of humans, [[Madagascar]] has lost two thirds of its original rainforest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12617173.000-science-satellite-monitors-madagascars-shrinkingrainforest-.html |title=Science: Satellite monitors Madagascar's shrinking rainforest, 19 May 1990, New Scientist |publisher=Newscientist.com |date=1990-05-19 |access-date=2012-08-26}}</ref> At present rates, tropical rainforests in [[Indonesia]] would be logged out in 10 years and [[Papua New Guinea]] in 13 to 16 years.<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=5728 China is black hole of Asia's deforestation], AsiaNews.it, 24 March 2008</ref> According to [[Rettet den Regenwald|Rainforest Rescue]], an important reason for the increasing [[deforestation]] rate, especially in Indonesia, is the expansion of [[oil palm]] plantations to meet growing demand for cheap vegetable fats and [[biofuel]]s. In Indonesia, [[palm oil]] is already cultivated on nine million hectares and, together with [[Malaysia]], the island nation produces about 85 percent of the world's palm oil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil|title=Palm oil – deforestation for everyday products - Rainforest Rescue|website=www.rainforest-rescue.org}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=November 2012}} |
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Several countries,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/environment/2008-01-24-brazil-amazon_N.htm Amazon deforestation rises sharply in 2007], [[Usatoday.com]], January 24, 2008</ref> notably [[Brazil]], have declared their deforestation a national emergency.<ref>{{cite news | first=John | last=Vidal | title=Rainforest loss shocks Brazil | newspaper=[[guardian.co.uk]] | date=20 May 2005 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/may/20/brazil.environment | access-date=7 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Amazon deforestation jumped by 69% in 2008 compared to 2007's twelve |
Several countries,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/environment/2008-01-24-brazil-amazon_N.htm Amazon deforestation rises sharply in 2007], [[Usatoday.com]], January 24, 2008</ref> notably [[Brazil]], have declared their deforestation a national emergency.<ref>{{cite news | first=John | last=Vidal | title=Rainforest loss shocks Brazil | newspaper=[[guardian.co.uk]] | date=20 May 2005 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/may/20/brazil.environment | access-date=7 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Amazon deforestation jumped by 69% in 2008 compared to 2007's twelve |
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* [[Intact forest landscape]] |
* [[Intact forest landscape]] |
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* [[Jungle]] |
* [[Jungle]] |
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* [[Rainforest Foundation Fund]] |
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* [[Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary]] |
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* [[Stratification (vegetation)]] |
* [[Stratification (vegetation)]] |
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* [[Tapiche Ohara's Reserve]] |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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[[File:Revelstoke from Mount Revelstoke.jpg|thumb|View of the temperate rain forest in [[Mount Revelstoke National Park]], British Columbia, [[Canada]]]] |
[[File:Revelstoke from Mount Revelstoke.jpg|thumb|View of the temperate rain forest in [[Mount Revelstoke National Park]], British Columbia, [[Canada]]]] |
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* Butler, R. A. (2005) ''A Place Out of Time: Tropical Rainforests and the Perils They Face''. Published online: [http://rainforests.mongabay.com Rainforests.mongabay.com] |
* Butler, R. A. (2005) ''A Place Out of Time: Tropical Rainforests and the Perils They Face''. Published online: [http://rainforests.mongabay.com Rainforests.mongabay.com] |
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* Richards, P. W. (1996). ''The tropical rain forest''. 2nd ed. [[Cambridge University Press]] {{ISBN|0-521-42194-2}} |
* Richards, P. W. (1996). ''The tropical rain forest''. 2nd ed. [[Cambridge University Press]] {{ISBN|0-521-42194-2}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons |
{{Commons}} |
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{{Wiktionary}} |
{{Wiktionary}} |
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* [http://kids.mongabay.com/ Tropical rainforest for children] |
* [http://kids.mongabay.com/ Tropical rainforest for children] |
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* [http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/what.html What is a rainforest] |
* [http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/what.html What is a rainforest] |
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* [http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-profile |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100115134618/http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-profile National Geographic: Rain forest] |
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* [http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm Tropical rainforests] |
* [http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm Tropical rainforests] |
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Revision as of 20:14, 14 April 2024
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 be generally 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.[1] 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.[2]
Rainforests as well as endemic rainforest species are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation, the resulting habitat loss and pollution of the atmosphere.[3]
Definition
Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, high humidity, the presence of moisture-dependent vegetation, a moist layer of leaf litter, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. The largest areas of rainforest are tropical or temperate rainforests, but other vegetation associations including subtropical rainforest, littoral rainforest, cloud forest, vine thicket and even dry rainforest have been described.[4][5][6][7][8]
Tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforests are characterized by a warm and wet climate with no substantial dry season: typically found within 10 degrees north and south of the equator. Mean monthly temperatures exceed 18 °C (64 °F) during all months of the year.[9] Average annual rainfall is no less than 168 cm (66 in) and can exceed 1,000 cm (390 in) although it typically lies between 175 cm (69 in) and 200 cm (79 in).[10]
Many of the world's tropical forests are associated with the location of the monsoon trough, also known as the intertropical convergence zone.[11] The broader category of tropical moist forests are located in the equatorial zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Tropical rainforests exist in Southeast Asia (from Myanmar (Burma)) to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka; also in Sub-Saharan Africa from the Cameroon to the Congo (Congo Rainforest), South America (e.g. the Amazon rainforest), Central America (e.g. Bosawás, the southern Yucatán Peninsula-El Peten-Belize-Calakmul), Australia, and on Pacific Islands (such as Hawaiʻi). Tropical forests have been called the "Earth's lungs", although it is now known that rainforests contribute little net oxygen addition to the atmosphere through photosynthesis.[12][13]
Temperate rainforest
Tropical forests cover a large part of the globe, but temperate rainforests only occur in a few regions around the world.[14][15] Temperate rainforests are rainforests in temperate regions. They occur in North America (in the Pacific Northwest in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California), in Europe (parts of the British Isles such as the coastal areas of Ireland and Scotland, southern Norway, parts of the western Balkans along the Adriatic coast, as well as in Galicia and coastal areas of the eastern Black Sea, including Georgia and coastal Turkey), in East Asia (in southern China, Highlands of Taiwan, much of Japan and Korea, and on Sakhalin Island and the adjacent Russian Far East coast), in South America (southern Chile) and also in Australia and New Zealand.[16]
Dry rainforest
Dry rainforests have a more open canopy layer than other rainforests,[17] and are found in areas of lower rainfall (630–1,100 mm (25–43 in)). They generally have two layers of trees.[18]
Layers
A tropical rainforest typically has a number of layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area. Examples include the emergent, canopy, understory and forest floor layers.[19][20]
Emergent layer
The emergent layer contains a small number of very large trees called emergents, which grow above the general canopy, reaching heights of 45–55 m, although on occasion a few species will grow to 70–80 m tall.[21][22] They need to be able to withstand the hot temperatures and strong winds that occur above the canopy in some areas. Eagles, butterflies, bats and certain monkeys inhabit this layer.
Canopy layer
The canopy layer contains the majority of the largest trees, typically 30 metres (98 ft) to 45 metres (148 ft) tall. The densest areas of biodiversity are found in the forest canopy, a more or less continuous cover of foliage formed by adjacent treetops. The canopy, by some estimates, is home to 50 percent of all plant species. Epiphytic plants attach to trunks and branches, and obtain water and minerals from rain and debris that collects on the supporting plants. The fauna is similar to that found in the emergent layer but more diverse. A quarter of all insect species are believed to exist in the rainforest canopy. Scientists have long suspected the richness of the canopy as a habitat, but have only recently developed practical methods of exploring it. As long ago as 1917, naturalist William Beebe declared that "another continent of life remains to be discovered, not upon the Earth, but one to two hundred feet above it, extending over thousands of square miles." A true exploration of this habitat only began in the 1980s, when scientists developed methods to reach the canopy, such as firing ropes into the trees using crossbows. Exploration of the canopy is still in its infancy, but other methods include the use of balloons and airships to float above the highest branches and the building of cranes and walkways planted on the forest floor. The science of accessing tropical forest canopy using airships or similar aerial platforms is called dendronautics.[23]
Understory layer
The understory or understorey layer lies between the canopy and the forest floor. It is home to a number of birds, snakes and lizards, as well as predators such as jaguars, boa constrictors and leopards. The leaves are much larger at this level and insect life is abundant. Many seedlings that will grow to the canopy level are present in the understory. Only about 5% of the sunlight shining on the rainforest canopy reaches the understory. This layer can be called a shrub layer, although the shrub layer may also be considered a separate layer.
Forest floor
The forest floor, the bottom-most layer, receives only 2% of the sunlight. Only plants adapted to low light can grow in this region. Away from riverbanks, swamps and clearings, where dense undergrowth is found, the forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation because of the low sunlight penetration. It also contains decaying plant and animal matter, which disappears quickly, because the warm, humid conditions promote rapid decay. Many forms of fungi growing here help decay the animal and plant waste.
Flora and fauna
More than half of the world's species of plants and animals are found in rainforests.[24] Rainforests support a very broad array of fauna, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates. Mammals may include primates, felids and other families. Reptiles include snakes, turtles, chameleons and other families; while birds include such families as vangidae and Cuculidae. Dozens of families of invertebrates are found in rainforests. Fungi are also very common in rainforest areas as they can feed on the decomposing remains of plants and animals.
The great diversity in rainforest species is in large part the result of diverse and numerous physical refuges,[25] i.e. places in which plants are inaccessible to many herbivores, or in which animals can hide from predators. Having numerous refuges available also results in much higher total biomass than would otherwise be possible.[26][27]
-
Orangutans in Tanjung Puting, Indonesia
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Yellow anacondas reside in the Amazon basin
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A Macaw in the Amazon rainforest
Some species of fauna show a trend towards declining populations in rainforests, for example, reptiles that feed on amphibians and reptiles. This trend requires close monitoring.[28] The seasonality of rainforests affects the reproductive patterns of amphibians, and this in turn can directly affect the species of reptiles that feed on these groups,[29] particularly species with specialized feeding, since these are less likely to use alternative resources.[30]
Soils
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2020) |
Despite the growth of vegetation in a tropical rainforest, soil quality is often quite poor. Rapid bacterial decay prevents the accumulation of humus. The concentration of iron and aluminium oxides by the laterization process gives the oxisols a bright red colour and sometimes produces mineral deposits such as bauxite. Most trees have roots near the surface because there are insufficient nutrients below the surface; most of the trees' minerals come from the top layer of decomposing leaves and animals. On younger substrates, especially of volcanic origin, tropical soils may be quite fertile. If rainforest trees are cleared, rain can accumulate on the exposed soil surfaces, creating run-off, and beginning a process of soil erosion. Eventually, streams and rivers form and flooding becomes possible. There are several reasons for the poor soil quality. First is that the soil is highly acidic. The roots of plants rely on an acidity difference between the roots and the soil in order to absorb nutrients. When the soil is acidic, there is little difference, and therefore little absorption of nutrients from the soil. Second, the type of clay particles present in tropical rainforest soil has a poor ability to trap nutrients and stop them from washing away. Even if humans artificially add nutrients to the soil, the nutrients mostly wash away and are not absorbed by the plants. Finally, these soils are poor due to the high volume of rain in tropical rainforests washes nutrients out of the soil more quickly than in other climates.[31]
Effect on global climate
A natural rainforest emits and absorbs vast quantities of carbon dioxide. On a global scale, long-term fluxes are approximately in balance, so that an undisturbed rainforest would have a small net impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels,[32] though they may have other climatic effects (on cloud formation, for example, by recycling water vapour). No rainforest today can be considered to be undisturbed.[33] Human-induced deforestation plays a significant role in causing rainforests to release carbon dioxide,[34][35][36] as do other factors, whether human-induced or natural, which result in tree death, such as burning and drought.[37] Some climate models operating with interactive vegetation predict a large loss of Amazonian rainforest around 2050 due to drought, forest dieback and the subsequent release of more carbon dioxide.[38]
Human uses
Tropical rainforests provide timber as well as animal products such as meat and hides. Rainforests also have value as tourism destinations and for the ecosystem services provided. Many foods originally came from tropical forests, and are still mostly grown on plantations in regions that were formerly primary forest.[39] Also, plant-derived medicines are commonly used for fever, fungal infections, burns, gastrointestinal problems, pain, respiratory problems, and wound treatment.[40] At the same time, rainforests are usually not used sustainably by non-native peoples but are being exploited or removed for agricultural purposes.
Native people
On January 18, 2007, FUNAI reported also that it had confirmed the presence of 67 different uncontacted tribes in Brazil, up from 40 in 2005. With this addition, Brazil has now overtaken the island of New Guinea as the country having the largest number of uncontacted tribes.[41] The province of Irian Jaya or West Papua in the island of New Guinea is home to an estimated 44 uncontacted tribal groups.[42] The tribes are in danger because of the deforestation, especially in Brazil.
Central African rainforest is home of the Mbuti pygmies, one of the hunter-gatherer peoples living in equatorial rainforests characterised by their short height (below one and a half metres, or 59 inches, on average). They were the subject of a study by Colin Turnbull, The Forest People, in 1962.[43] Pygmies who live in Southeast Asia are, amongst others, referred to as "Negrito". There are many tribes in the rainforests of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Sarawak is part of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. Some of the other tribes in Sarawak are: the Kayan, Kenyah, Kejaman, Kelabit, Punan Bah, Tanjong, Sekapan, and the Lahanan. Collectively, they are referred to as Dayaks or Orangulu which means "people of the interior".[44]
About half of Sarawak's 1.5 million people are Dayaks. Most Dayaks, it is believed by anthropologists, came originally from the South-East Asian mainland. Their mythologies support this.
Deforestation
Tropical and temperate rainforests have been subjected to heavy legal and illegal logging for their valuable hardwoods and agricultural clearance (slash-and-burn, clearcutting) throughout the 20th century and the area covered by rainforests around the world is shrinking.[45] Biologists have estimated that large numbers of species are being driven to extinction (possibly more than 50,000 a year; at that rate, says E. O. Wilson of Harvard University, a quarter or more of all species on Earth could be exterminated within 50 years)[46] due to the removal of habitat with destruction of the rainforests.
Another factor causing the loss of rainforest is expanding urban areas. Littoral rainforest growing along coastal areas of eastern Australia is now rare due to ribbon development to accommodate the demand for seachange lifestyles.[47]
Forests are being destroyed at a rapid pace.[48][49][50] Almost 90% of West Africa's rainforest has been destroyed.[51] Since the arrival of humans, Madagascar has lost two thirds of its original rainforest.[52] At present rates, tropical rainforests in Indonesia would be logged out in 10 years and Papua New Guinea in 13 to 16 years.[53] According to Rainforest Rescue, an important reason for the increasing deforestation rate, especially in Indonesia, is the expansion of oil palm plantations to meet growing demand for cheap vegetable fats and biofuels. In Indonesia, palm oil is already cultivated on nine million hectares and, together with Malaysia, the island nation produces about 85 percent of the world's palm oil.[54][unreliable source?]
Several countries,[55] notably Brazil, have declared their deforestation a national emergency.[56] Amazon deforestation jumped by 69% in 2008 compared to 2007's twelve months, according to official government data.[57]
However, a January 30, 2009 New York Times article stated, "By one estimate, for every acre of rainforest cut down each year, more than 50 acres of new forest are growing in the tropics." The new forest includes secondary forest on former farmland and so-called degraded forest.[58]
See also
References
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Further reading
- Butler, R. A. (2005) A Place Out of Time: Tropical Rainforests and the Perils They Face. Published online: Rainforests.mongabay.com
- Richards, P. W. (1996). The tropical rain forest. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press ISBN 0-521-42194-2
- Whitmore, T. C. (1998) An introduction to tropical rain forests. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-850147-1
External links
- Animals in a rainforest
- Rainforest Action Network
- EIA forest reports: Investigations into illegal logging.
- EIA in the USA Reports and info.
- The Coalition for Rainforest Nations
- United Nations Forum on Forests
- Dave Kimble's Rainforest Photo Catalog (Wet Tropics, Australia)
- Rainforest Plants
- Tropical rainforest for children
- What is a rainforest
- National Geographic: Rain forest
- Tropical rainforests