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| {{otheruses}} | |||
| ] in ], ].]] | |||
| ] near Cairns, in ], ].]] | |||
| '''Rainforests''' are ]s characterized by high ]fall, with definitions setting minimum normal annual rainfall between 1750–2000 mm (68-78 inches). | |||
| From 40 to 75% of all ] on ] are ] to the rainforests.<ref name=Variables>{{cite web | url = http://www.rainforests.net/variables.htm | title = Rainforests.net - Variables and Math | accessdate= 2009-01-04}}</ref> It has been estimated{{Who|date=December 2008}} that many millions of species of plants, insects, and ]s are still undiscovered. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth", and the "world's largest ]", because of the large number of natural ]s discovered there.<ref></ref> Rainforests also supply 28% of the worlds ],<ref></ref> processing it through ] from ]. | |||
| The ] in a rainforest is restricted in many areas by the lack of ] at ground level. This makes it possible to walk through the forest. If the ] ] is destroyed or thinned, the ground beneath is soon colonized by a dense, tangled growth of ]s, ]s, and small ]s called a ]. There are two types of rainforest, ] and ]. | |||
| ==Tropical rainforests== | |||
| ] | |||
| ]s are rainforests in the ], found near the ] (between the ] and ]) and present in ] (] to ], ], ], and northeastern ]), ] from ] to the ] (]), ] (e.g. the ]), ] (e.g. ], southern ]-]-]-]), and on many of the ] (such as ]). Tropical rainforests have been called the "Earth's ]s," although it is now known that rainforests contribute little net ] additions to the ] through ].<ref>Broeker, Wallace S. (2006). "Breathing easy: Et tu, O<sub>2</sub>." Columbia University http://www.columbia.edu/cu/21stC/issue-2.1/broecker.htm.</ref><ref>Moran, E.F., "Deforestation and Land Use in the Brazilian Amazon," Human Ecology, Vol 21, No. 1, 1993"</ref>{{-}} | |||
| ==Temperate rainforests== | |||
| ] | |||
| ]s are rainforests in ] regions. They can be found in ] (in the ], the ], and in the ] of the ] east of ]), in ] (parts of the ] such as the coastal areas of ], and ], southern ], parts of the western ] along the ] coast, as well as in the North West of ] and coastal areas of the eastern ], including ] and coastal ]), and in ] (in ], ], much of ] and ], and on ] and the adjacent ] coast), and also ] and ]. | |||
| {{-}} | |||
| ==Rainforest layers== | |||
| The rainforest is divided into four different parts each with different plants and animals, adapted for life in that particular area: | |||
| *The ''''emergent layer'''' contains a small number of very large ]s which grow above the general ], reaching heights of 45-55 m, although on occasion a few species will grow to 70-80 m tall.<ref>{{cite book |last= Bourgeron |first= Patrick S.|editor= Frank B. Golley |title=Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystems. Structure and Function |origyear= 1983 |edition= 14A|series= Ecosystems of the World |publisher= Elsevier Scientific |isbn= 0444419861 |pages= 29–47 |chapter= Spatial Aspects of Vegetation Structure}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nativetreesociety.org/worldtrees/sea_ei/malaysia/sabah2005.htm | title = Sabah | publisher = ] | accessdate= 2007-11-14}}</ref> They need to be able to withstand the hot temperatures and strong winds. ]s, ], ]s, and certain ]s inhabit this layer.]]] | |||
| *The ''''']''''' contains the majority of the largest trees, typically 30-45 m tall. The densest areas of ] 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, suggesting that perhaps half of all life on Earth could be found there. 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, ] ] 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." 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 ]s. Exploration of the canopy is still in its infancy, but other methods include the use of ] and ]s 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.<ref></ref> | |||
| *The ''''']''''' lies between the canopy and the forest floor. The understory (or understorey) is home to a number of ]s, ]s, and ]s, as well as ]s such as ]s, ], and ]s. The leaves are much larger at this level. Insect life is also abundant. Many seedlings that will grow to the canopy level are present in the understory. Only about 5 percent of the sunlight shining on the rainforest reaches the understory. This layer can also be called a ''shrub layer'', although the shrub layer may also be considered a separate layer. | |||
| *The '''''forest floor layer''''' receives only 2 percent of sunlight. Only plants ] to low light can grow in this region. Away from ]banks, ]s, and clearings where dense undergrowth is found, the forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation because of the low sunlight penetration. It also contains ]ing plant and animal matter, which disappears quickly due to the warm, humid conditions promoting rapid decay. Many forms of ] grow here which help decay the animal and plant waste. It takes up to 20 minutes for rain to actually touch the ground from the trees. | |||
| ], ]]] | |||
| ==Flora and fauna== | |||
| ], ].]] | |||
| More than half of the world's species of plants and animals are found in the rainforest.<ref></ref> Rainforests support a very broad array of ] including ]s, ]s, ]s, and ]s. Mammals may include ]s, ]s, and other families. Reptiles include ]s, ]s, ]s, and other families while birds include such families as ] and ]. Dozens of families of invertebrates are found in rainforests. ] are also very common in rainforest areas as they can feed on the decomposing remains of plant and animal life. As a result of all the decomposing matter on the forest floor, rainforests develop high levels of organic matter in the soil, making it very nutritious for plant and animal life. This ] is a major factor in allowing rainforests to be highly active ]s, with rainforests home to about 80% of the Earth's species.<ref>, Reuters</ref> This amounts to over 20 million species of plants and animals.<ref></ref> These species are rapidly disappearing due to ], habitat loss, and biochemical releases into the atmosphere.<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Soils== | |||
| {{Expand|section|date=December 2008}} | |||
| Despite the growth of ] in a tropical rainforest, ] is often quite poor. Rapid ]l decay prevents the accumulation of ]. The concentration of ] and ] ]s by the ] process gives the ]s a bright red color and sometimes produces ] ]s such as ]. Most trees have roots near the surface as there are not many nutrients below the ground; most of the trees minerals come from the top layer of decomposing leaves (mainly) and animals. On younger substrates, especially of ] origin, tropical soils may be quite fertile. If the trees are cleared, the rain can get at the exposed soil, washing it away. Eventually streams will form, then rivers. Flooding becomes imminent. | |||
| ==Effect on global climate== | |||
| A natural rainforest emits and absorbs vast quantities of ]. 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>http://www.grida.no/CLIMATE/IPCC_TAR/wg1/pdf/TAR-03.PDF</ref> though they may have other climatic effects (on ] formation, for example, by recycling ]). No rainforest today can be considered to be undisturbed.<ref name = Lewis>Lewis, S.L. , Phillips, O.L., Baker, T.R., Lloyd, J. et al 2004 “Concerted changes in tropical forest structure and dynamics: evidence from 50 South American long-term plots” Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 359</ref> Human induced deforestation plays a significant role in causing rainforests to release carbon dioxide,<ref name = Malhi> Malhi, Y and Grace, J. 2000 " Tropical forests and atmospheric carbon dioxide”, Tree 15</ref> as do natural processes such as ] that result in tree death.<ref></ref> Some climate models run with interactive vegetation and predict a large loss of Amazonian rainforest around 2050 due to drought, leading to forest dieback and the subsequent feedback of releasing more carbon dioxide.<ref>http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/hadleycentre/pubs/HCTN/HCTN_42.pdf{{Dead link|date=January 2009}}</ref> | |||
| ==Human uses== | |||
| ] rain forest in ]]] | |||
| {{main|Tropical rainforest#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 ]s in regions that were formerly primary forest.<ref>Myers, N. (1985). ''The primary source''. W. W. Norton and Co., New York, pp. 189-193.</ref> Also, plant derived medicines are commonly used for fever, fungal infections, burns, gastrointestinal problems, pain, respiratory problems, and wound treatment.<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Native peoples== | |||
| {{Expand|section|date=December 2008}} | |||
| On January 18, 2007, ] reported that it had confirmed the presence of 67 different ] in Brazil, up from 40 in 2005. With this addition, ] has now overtaken the island of ] as the country having the largest number of uncontacted tribes.<ref></ref> The province of Irian Jaya or ] in the island of New Guinea is home to an estimated 44 uncontacted tribal groups.<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Deforestation== | |||
| {{main|Deforestation}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] and ]s have been subjected to heavy ] and agricultural clearance throughout the 20th century and the area covered by rainforests around the world is shrinking.<ref>, The Independent</ref> Biologists have estimated that large numbers of species are being driven to ] (possibly more than 50,000 a year; at that rate, says ] of ], a quarter or more of all species on Earth could be exterminated within 50 years)<ref>, New York Times</ref> due to the removal of habitat with destruction of the rainforests. | |||
| Another factor causing the loss of rainforest is expanding urban areas. ] Rainforest growing along ]al areas of eastern ] is now rare due to ] to accommodate the demand for ] lifestyles.<ref></ref> | |||
| The forests are being destroyed at a rapid pace.<ref>, The Independent</ref><ref>, FOXNews.com, September 29, 2008</ref><ref></ref> Almost 90% of ]'s rainforest has been destroyed.<ref></ref> Since the arrival of humans 2000 years ago, ] has lost two thirds of its original rainforest.<ref>http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12617173.000-science-satellite-monitors-madagascars-shrinkingrainforest-.html Science: Satellite monitors Madagascar's shrinking rainforest, 19 May 1990, New Scientist</ref> At present rates, tropical rainforests in ] would be logged out in 10 years and ] in 13 to 16 years.<ref>, Asia News, 24 March, 2008</ref> | |||
| Several countries,<ref>, USATODAY.com, January 24, 2008</ref> notably ], have declared their deforestation a national emergency.<ref></ref> Amazon deforestation jumped by 69% in 2008 compared to 2007's twelve | |||
| months, according to official government data.<ref>, msnbc.com, August 30, 2008</ref> Deforestation could wipe out or severely damage nearly 60% of the ] by 2030, says a new report from ].<ref>, guardian.co.uk, December 6, 2007</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{Portal|Ecology|Earth flag PD.jpg}} | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ===Further reading=== | |||
| * 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 | |||
| * Butler, R. A. (2005) ''A Place Out of Time: Tropical Rainforests and the Perils They Face''. Published online: | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Commons|Rainforest}} | |||
| {{Wiktionary}} | |||
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Revision as of 15:44, 23 January 2009
The rainfoest is goin to die