Rainforest Flowers
It’s the flowering plants (Angiosperms) that dominate rainforest habitats. Evolving to attract pollinators to their nectaries, flower petals act as beacons and landing pads to accommodate flies, bees, birds, bats…
Rainforest Composition: Vines & Epiphytes
Climbing Plants As well as all the trees and flowering plants mentioned in the Tropical Biodiversity section, rainforest composition also includes abundant climbing plants like orchids, ferns and the dominant…
Rainforest Composition: Trees
Rainforest composition in the canopy is dominated by a few trees like mahogany, ebony, and teak. The canopy can be continuous over hundreds of kilometers and is occasionally penetrated by…
Why Are Rainforests So Diverse?
For years, scientists have wondered why rainforests are so diverse. Competition for resources should lead one species to dominate and exclude the others, but this doesn’t happen to the extent…
Tropical Biodiversity
Humboldt and Darwin While on a five year journey to South America in 1799, Alexander von Humboldt wrote of ‘an inexhaustible treasure trove’ of Nature. He co-authored a 3,700 page…
Rainforest History and Seasons
The lack of distinct seasons characterises the tropics. Unlike temperate forests, most rainforests have only a wet and dry season. Throughout these periods the conditions are still constantly hot and…
Climate of the Rainforest
Tropical rainforests are strongly influenced by climate and are situated in the world’s hot and moist zones. The tropical rainforests receive more of the sun’s energy than any other vegetation…
Where Are Rainforests
Rainforests are one of several different types of tropical forest. Around 65% of the moist forests are rainforests, which are composed of evergreen broadleaved trees. The rainforests are located at…