A rainforest is simply a large geographical area that receives high rainfall and is filled with tall trees. In ecological terms, rainforests can be defined as, “multi-storeyed, closed, broad-leaved forest vegetation with a continuous tree canopy of variable height and with a characteristic diversity of species and life forms”.
Rainforests mainly of two types, the tropical and temperate, are considered to be the Earth’s oldest living ecosystem. They are home to a breath-taking variety of flora and fauna. You might be surprised to know that according to estimates, at least half of the Earth’s plant species, and about 40 to 70 per cent of all biotic species are indigenous to these rainforests! Experts strongly advocate the possibility of the presence of millions of unidentified insects, plants, and animal species still waiting to be discovered! No wonder then, that tropical rainforests are known as ‘Jewels of the Earth’!
The presence of over one-quarter of the world’s natural medicines, make rainforests the world’s ‘largest pharmacy’ too!
However, regions that experience dry seasons, like North-Eastern Australia, which receives an annual rainfall between 800 and 1,800mm, also have rainforests. 75 per cent of the total tree species of these ‘dry rainforests’ are deciduous.
Picture Credit : Google
