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The Amazon rainforest, covering much of northwestern Brazil and extending into Colombia, Peru, and other South American countries, is the world's largest tropical rainforest, famed for its biodiversity. It's crisscrossed by thousands of rivers, including the powerful Amazon. River towns, with 19th-century architecture from rubber-boom days, include Brazil's Manaus and Belém and Peru's Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado.

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Famous Rainforests

There are rainforests in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The biggest rainforest is the Amazon rainforest. It's about the size of the contiguous United States, which doesn't include Alaska or Hawaii. More than half of it is in Brazil, but parts are in several other South American countries, including Ecuador and Bolivia. The next biggest rainforest is the Congo in Africa. Parts of the Congo can be found in several other countries too, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.

Most rainforests are found along or near the Equator, where it tends to be hot. But some rainforests grow in temperate regions where it's cooler. Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park on the Pacific northwest coast of North America is an example of a temperate rainforest. Like tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests get lots of, well, rain.

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in amazon rainforest in flooded area 360 Panorama | 360Cities

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360° panorama photo from by JAMES MARTINS PEREIRA. In rainforest, there are places where igapó which is the local name of the black river floodpl...

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25 Facts About the AMAZON RAINFOREST | 25 FACTS

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29 Most Fascinating Plants in the Amazon Rainforest

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29 Most Fascinating Plants in the Amazon Rainforest

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The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth. Home to more animal species than anywhere else, it's the plants that provide food and homes for forest life.

There are around 80,000 species of Amazon Rainforest plants, which grow as trees, shrubs, bushes and vines creating a wildlife-filled environment.

Here, we will mention 29 of the most interesting plants to find in Amazonia.

1. Brazil Nut Tree

One of the most iconic trees in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil nuts ( Bertholletia excelsa) grow to a fantastic height and have a unique shape. They have a straight trunk and bush-like crown of leaves and branches. These trees grow to 50 meters (160 ft) tall with a trunk 2 meters (6 ft) wide.

As one of the largest trees in Amazonia, the Brazil nuts are fantastic trees to encounter in the rainforest. Their nuts were first described by the explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt in the early 1800s on his voyage down the Amazon River. The fruit pods housing the nuts are extremely hard and can only be cracked by macaws and a type of large rodent called an agouti.

As a fantastic symbol for well managed tourism, the trees will only produce fruit if pollinated by euglossine bees and the bees require the scent of a delicate orchid to attract a mate. The Brazil nuts are therefore intricately linked to the health of surrounding rainforest.

2. Passion Flower

Passion flowers ( Passiflora spp.) are are one of the favorite flowers to encounter in the rainforest. Missionaries thought the flower resembled a crown of thorns worn by Jesus for his crucifixion leading to their name. Many different animals pollinate the colorful flowers, including bees, wasps, hummingbirds and even bats. However, many species of passion flower are specific to a certain pollinator.

Dotting the tropical forests of South America are many different colors and varieties of passion flowers. Some occur as woody vines and others are shrubs with colorful flowers from white through to bright red. The fruit of Passiflora edulis is the most familiar species and its fruits are used in juices and desserts. Other passion flower species have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

3. Orchids

One of the most diverse plant families, orchids have much-loved flowers you can find in the rainforest. Their delicate and often colorful flowers have a unique shape and there are many varieties to encounter. With their intricate relationship with pollinators, orchids fascinated Charles Darwin and he wrote about their pollination mechanisms in On the Origin of Species. He also wrote an entire book dedicated to orchid pollination called Fertilisation of Orchids (1862).

Many orchids are colorful and fragrant. In fact, when exploring the Amazon Rainforest and cloud forest, you can detect the fragrance of some species before you see the plant. Unknowingly familiar to many people, the most famous orchid is the vanilla orchid. This produces the popular vanilla flavoring and is the only orchid with a commercial use. Popular ornamental varieties include the slipper orchids with their slipper-like flowers and orchids in the genus Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium, which are found in many flower stores. The orchid Prosthechea fragrans is one of the fragrant species found in the Amazon Rainforest.

4. Monkey Brush

A favorite plant and flower to find in the Amazon Rainforest, the monkey brush ( Combretum rotundifolium) has a unique appearance. The flowers resemble small bright red and yellow brushes due to their long stamens.

The plant grows as a vine either on its own or as a parasite on other plants. It's when they bloom that they takes on a fantastic appearance due to impressive flowers. Their bright colors attracts hummingbirds, which drink the nectar and pollinate the plants. They are found throughout the Amazon Rainforest and can often be seen near waterways.

5. Lianas

Lianas are climbing woody vines and are a classification of how a plant grows, such as a tree, bush or shrub. There are many plant families that grow as lianas. Although the most diverse type of plant in a tropical rainforest, lianas are often overlooked. These woody vines are what hold up large trees in an expansive and complicated network. This is because tropical rainforests have shallow soil and vines provide the support system. This also means that when large trees fall, the network of vines bring down surrounding trees opening up the canopy for seedlings and the next generation of growth.

Lianas grow to around 200 meters (650 ft) with some growing much longer connecting many trees and plants. The vines start life on the forest floor like most of the rainforest plants and then grow towards sunlight using trees as support. Rainforest communities use a few species for drinking water whereas others are a source of poisons, such as the famous curare.

6. Strangler Fig

An iconic plant in the Amazon Rainforest, strangler figs ( Ficus spp.) have a fascinating and sinister life history. Their towering forms are often pointed out on rainforest walks. Although a giant tree, strangler fig adults start as small seeds deposited on a branch. From here, they grow towards the ground in a seemingly delicate and gentle manner around the tree. It's only when it reaches the forest floor that the strangler fig swells to engulf its host.

The strangler fig's roots take the nutrients that previously fed the host often killing the original tree, which leaves behind a case-like form. The lattice trunk provides homes for many rainforest animals and attracts more when the tree fruits to produce figs. They are also a fantastic sight for tourists to imagine this extraordinary life history, which can last for over 200 years.

7. Huimba

Huimba ( Ceiba samauma) are among the tallest trees in the Amazon Rainforest and grow over 50 meters (160 ft) tall. They are a canopy species and hold a special place among many tribal groups. Fearful of canopy species, tribes like the Tacama (a Bolivian tribe) believe that the trees are home to evil spirits. They believe that passing the trees or cutting them down may cause disease. With the link between deforestation and novel diseases, there is a kernel of truth to the mythology.

8. Heliconia

Seen in garden centres worldwide, Heliconias ( Heliconia spp.) are native to tropical forests of Central and South America. They have become naturalized in a number of other countries and are a favorite ornamental plant.

Heliconias grow to around 4.5 meters (15 ft) and are a colorful and distinct plant. It's the modified leaves called bracts that give the plants their shape and color. Within these protective bracts are the actual flowers. The nectar can be reached by birds with the right shaped beak, such as different hummingbirds.

9. Ironwood

True to their name, ironwoods include many species of hardwood tree. In the Amazon Rainforest it refers to trees in the genus Dipteryx. Growing to 50 meters (164 feet) with a lifespan of over 700 years, these are a high value tree threatened by deforestation. They provide home to many rainforest animals including the famous macaw parrots. The trees are also a favorite nesting site of harpy eagles, which are one of the world's most powerful birds of prey.

10. Bromeliads

Living as epiphytes, you can spot the different bromeliads in the Amazon Rainforest perched high on the branches of rainforest trees. Here, their thick leaves collect water and provide home for insects and tadpoles. As well as providing a home, the bromeliads are a source of water for many rainforest animals. There are over 1,000 species of bromeliad and the entire family of Bromeliaceae are native to the Americas with only one species native to Africa. The most famous bromeliad is the pineapple.

11. Tangarana Tree

A tree familiar to a few Amazon Rainforest visitors, the tangarana tree ( Triplaris americana) has many different names. This is probably linked to its defense. They look very similar to other rainforest trees at first glance. However, on closer inspection, you will see small holes at various places along the branches. If disturbed, ants swarm the tree for protection. The protectors are a species of fire ant ( Pseudomyrmex triplarinus) that have a potent sting. These live in a mutualistic relationship with the trees, which provide a home for the ants. Scale insects live inside the tree and feed the ants a sugary fluid creating a partnership of three different species. The trees grow to around 30 meters (98 ft) tall.

12. Water Lettuce

The water lettuce ( Pistia stratiotes) can be seen on many slow-moving tributaries of the Amazon River. They are floating plants and their roots hang in the water below. The water lettuce is a favorite food of river turtles and Amazon River manatees. They can reproduce rapidly. When there are not enough animals living in the river, the water lettuce covers large areas blocking sunlight and reducing water oxygen, which causes ecological damage. Many of these plants can be seen in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in northern Peru. Manatees are being reintroduced to the waterways, which will bring back balance to the forest.

13. Lupuna

Another canopy species, the lupunas ( Ceiba pentandra) are known as kapok trees after the fibre from their seeds, which is used to fill mattresses, pillows, and sleeping bags. This is one of the most common large trees to encounter in the Amazon and is known for its smooth trunk.

Kapoks are common along forest edges and rivers. They drop their leaves in the dry season exposing their white flowers to bats, which along with several other animals pollinate the flowers that open just before dark. They grow to around 50 meters (160 ft) tall.

The rainforests of South America are strangely similar to the rainforests of western Africa. The link is associated with the breakup of the Gondwana continent about 130 million years ago, however, dispersal of seeds may have played a significant role. This species of kapok is also widely distributed in tropical Africa possibly linked to the exceptionally strong winds between Brazil and west Africa. The winds could have carried kapok entangled seeds. The fruits or seeds may have also crossed between continents due to the rivers expelling seeds to the ocean.

14. Piripiri

The piripiri plant ( Cyperus articulatus) is a tropical reed that grows across the tropical region worldwide and is known by many different names. You can find the plant in or near waterways and lakes in the Amazon Rainforest. The plant has many traditional and medicinal uses. Many cultures use the plant to treat a wide range of conditions. This is one of the plants you will be shown if you choose a tour with a medicinal garden or would like a jungle survival course. The plant is also used in handicrafts and as a flavoring.

15. Cumaceba

The cumaceba tree ( Swartzia polyphylla) is used to make arrowheads by some Amazon communities. The trees grow to around 15 meters (49 ft) tall and live throughout the Amazon Rainforest. Some remain in the understory while others grow into the canopy. The bark is also used in traditional medicine.

16. Cassia grandis

A fascinating plant found in tropical forests from Central America to South America, the trees of Cassia grandis grow to over 30 meters (98 ft) tall. The tree is in the Fabaceae pea family of plants and it blooms with beautiful clusters of light pink flowers. However, it's not the tree or flowers that are the most fascinating feature of the plant. What really makes the tree stand out are its fruits.

The bean-like fruiting pods of Cassia grandis are 50 cm (20 in) long, which are sometimes used to make a sweet syrup. The fascinating thing about them is what Daniel Janzen noted about the plants when trying to identify the animals that disperse the 2 cm (0.8 in) long seeds: There are none.

Most fruits evolve with specific animals to distribute their seeds and are suited to a particular type of dispersal agent. The animal that used to eat the fruit of Cassia grandis is now extinct and the fruit is known as an anachronism. A possible animal that once ate these fruits and distributed the seeds is a giant ground sloth, which went extinct over 10,000 years ago.

17. Devil's Gardens

A fascinating area to find in the Amazon Rainforest, Devil's gardens seem strange when you first find them. You will emerge from highly diverse forest to areas home to only one species of tree called Duroia hirsuta.

The trees have a mutualistic relationship with a type of lemon ant, which live within the trees. They help defend the trees and also weed the area of other plant species by biting the stems and spraying the competing plants with formic acid.

The trees also release chemicals from their roots that help limit growth of other species, which creates these fascinating areas of rainforest. These puzzled people who found them leading to their mysterious name.

About the Author: Ash Card is a frequent visitor to the Amazon and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical destinations. Ash has interests including tropical destinations, rainforests and wildlife. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the Amazon. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found salsa-ing the night away or posing near waterfalls.

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The 29 Most Fascinating Plants in the Amazon Rainforest - TourTheTropics.com

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It's the plants that provide homes for the incredible diversity of Amazon animals. Here, we show 29 of the most fascinating Amazon Rainforest plants.

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The Amazon Rainforest boggles the mind with its sheer immensity and extraordinary biodiversity. The estimated land area of 2.1 million square miles covers around 40% of South America and part of 9 countries, including Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Approximately 30% of the world's known species can be found within this enormous and dense region, with new ones being constantly discovered. Unfortunately, deforestation and other habitat destruction have also led to mass extinctions and threaten the existence of many more unique and important species. The current model shows that the Amazon Rainforest is home to 427 mammal species, 1,300 bird species, 378 species of reptiles, and more than 400 species of amphibians. The following is a list of some of the most iconic and curious creatures one can find in the Amazon.

Jaguar

The jaguar's preternatural beauty and affiliated terror cause admirers and prey to freeze in their tracks. The stand-out spots are similar to the leopards of Africa and Asia, but a small dot in the center is the key point of differentiation. The jaguar ( Panthera onca) is the biggest cat in the Americas and the third biggest in the world (behind lions and tigers). These magnificent carnivores are solitary but effective night hunters, both on land and water. They have even been known to attack caimans. Jaguars are classified as "Near Threatened" (NT) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Since the 1880s, they have lost nearly half of their territory, now mostly relying on the Amazon Basin and some parts of Central America. They also face threats from poachers and retaliatory killings by cattle ranchers.

Sloth

Sloth in the Amazon jungle.

These loveable slow-pokes also mostly keep to the rainforest canopy. They tend to sleep between 15 to 20 hours a day, and when it is time to feed, they cover a whopping 40 yards, collecting leaves, twigs, and buds along the way. Despite their morose movements, sloths always seem to have a smile on their face. They even enjoy a leisurely swim from time to time - putting those long, tree-hanging arms to secondary use. There are two different types of sloths, two-toed and three-toed, and six species (all of which are found within the tropical rain forests of Central and South America). Of these, the pygmy three-toed sloth ( Bradypus pygmaeus), is listed as "Critically Endangered" (CR), and the maned sloth ( Bradypus torquatus) is classified as "Vulnerable" (VU).

Amazon River Dolphin

The Amazon River Dolphin ( Inia geoffrensis)is also known as the Pink River Dolphin for its pretty hue. This freshwater mammal is found throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. These cute and curious creatures can grow up to 9.2 feet and weigh upwards of 352 pounds. Their populations are generally abundant; however, in some areas, these dolphins are listed as vulnerable due to fragmentation of their habitat/population by dams and threats related to the contamination of the waterways (particularly mercury pollution from gold mining in Bolivia).

Macaw

Macaws in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.

These brightly-colored birds belong to the parrot family. Their plumage is well-matched to their habitat of green trees, tasty fruits, and pretty flowers. Macaws ( Psittacidae) are omnivorous, using their beaks to crack nuts and seeds and their tongues, which are specially designed with an interior bone, to tap into nutritious fruits. They also use their gripping toes to catch insects and snails. These birds are intelligent and highly vocal. They typically congregate in flocks of 10 to 30, calling out loudly to communicate. Famously, some species are known to mimic human speech. There are 17 documented species of macaws. The red-fronted and blue-fronted species are seriously at-risk, while the glaucous and Spix's macaw species are possibly already extinct in the wild. Pressures on the macaw relate to habitat destruction and their popularity as pets, which causes them to be captured and traded illegally.

Poison Dart Frog

Blue poison-dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus).

The poison dart frog ( Dendrobatidae)is another particularly colorful creature on this list. The intricate patterns on their bodies further enhance their beauty. These overt displays are an evolutionary tactic to warn off potential predators (a phenomenon called aposematic coloration). As the name would suggest, poison dart frogs are toxic and, in some cases, extremely so. The hunters of the indigenous Emberá people of Colombia capitalized on this fact by applying the poison to the tip of their blowgun darts. Interestingly, poison dart frogs raised in captivity never develop their poison, which suggests that it is something they have to produce, possibly through the assimilation of certain plant chemicals, which are carried by the ants, termites, and beetles that make up part of their carnivorous diet.

Red Howler Monkey

You can hear this guy's ominous call from a mile away - 3 miles away, actually. Those brave enough to seek the source of the demonic wail will spot the large canopy-dwellers by their dark red fur and swollen throats (owing to an enlarged hyoid bone at the base of the tongue). The males are larger and have darker beards. Red howlers ( Alouatta seniculus) assume the role of rainforest rooster, waking up the jungle bright and early. They do this again before going to bed, in both cases, as a signal to males in other groups to define their distinct territories. Though they sound frightening, red howlers predominantly subsist on flowers, leaves, and fruit. The population is declining, but the IUCN Red List still classifies red howlers as "Least Concern" (LC).

Black Caiman

The Black caiman ( Melanosuchus niger)is the largest animal in the Amazon Basin. It is also the largest species of alligator, typically ranging from 9 to 14 feet, but able to grow as long as 20 feet and weighing anywhere from 209 to 660+ pounds. Aside from its impressive size, the Black caiman also differs from the American alligator because of its dark-colored, armored skin (hence the name). This adaptive trait improves the nocturnal hunter's camouflage and may also help absorb heat during the day. If left to their own devices, these alligators can live upwards of 80 years. However, in the past century, this species was reduced by about 99%, mostly due to heavy hunting to produce black leather. Currently, the IUCN Red List classifies the Black caiman as "Least Concern" (LN).

Green Anaconda

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus).

Overall, this member of the boa family is the largest snake in the world. It can reach lengths of 20 - 30 feet (i.e., as long as a school bus), with a diameter of 12-inches, and weigh upwards of 550 pounds. The reticulated python can grow slightly longer, but the green anaconda ( Eunectes murinus)is still nearly twice as heavy. They reach these astounding girths through a diet of wild pigs, deer, birds, capybaras, even caimans, and, believe it or not, jaguars. These non-venomous snakes constrict and asphyxiate their prey before swallowing it whole. After a big meal, anacondas can go months without food. Because of their size, anacondas are slow-moving on land but surprisingly mobile in the water. They mainly live in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, though exact population data and status of the species are unknown.

Giant Monkey Frog

The giant monkey frog ( Phyllomedusa bicolor), also known as the bicolored tree frog, derives its name from its iconic, bright green backside and cream-colored belly and its unusual ability to swing between trees. These amphibians spend most of their time in trees and take advantage of their large bodies to bridge the gaps while moving around. Acaté is yet another name given to this frog by the Matsés tribes of the Amazon Rainforest (between Peru and Brazil). The Matsés shamans use the frog's secretions in hunting rituals and as a way to transmit knowledge through the mind-altering medium. The frogs use this waxy coating to protect themselves from the sun. This natural opioid has also been adopted as a painkiller, as it is 40 times stronger than traditional morphine.

Harpy Eagle

The Harpy eagle ( Harpia harpyja)is one of the largest eagles in the world and easily the largest and most dominant raptor in the Amazon rainforest. This carnivorous predator has a wingspan of 69 to 88 inches, the largest talons of any living eagles, the ability to lift prey equal to their body weight (9 to 20 pounds), and can reach a top speed of 50 miles per hour. It uses these tools to hunt a wide array of animals, including sloths, monkeys, porcupines, squirrels, anteaters, iguanas, snakes, and other birds (and their eggs), such as the macaw, and many more. Harpy eagles have a vast territory, spanning from Mexico down to Argentina, but their numbers are on the decline, and they are listed as "Near Threatened" (NT).

Green Basilisk Lizard

The Green Basilisk lizard ( Basiliscus plumifrons)is also known as the "Jesus Lizard" for its remarkable ability to run across water's surface. They do this by sprinting on two legs, at a rate of about 5-feet per second, which they can do for a distance of about 15-feet, before sinking onto all fours and swimming from there (or reaching the shore). This phenomenon is aided by their adaptive anatomy, which features flaps between the toes, which create an air pocket and a larger surface area. Their long tail acts as a counter-balance while in the bipedal state. This nifty maneuver is done in response to predatory threats. Therefore, as one might expect, they are never far from water but, otherwise, keep to the trees until the occasion calls for it.

The Amazon Rainforest naturally creates adoration and yet, requires great attention and care. It is gigantic but dwindling; bafflingly biodiverse, but an untold number of species are regularly going extinct. Let us appreciate these magnificent animals while they are here and do what we can to preserve them.

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What Animals Live In The Amazon Rainforest?

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The Amazon Rainforest boggles the mind with its sheer immensity and extraordinary biodiversity. The estimated land area of 2.1 million square miles covers around 40% of South America and part of 9 countries, including Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname.

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Unsustainable industrial and agricultural development, however, has severely degraded the health of the world's rainforests. Citizens, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are working together to protect these invaluable but fragile ecosystems.
Rainforest Structure
In the Amazon rainforest, the towering trees of the emergent layer include the Brazil nut tree ( Bertholletia excelsa) and the kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra). The Brazil nut tree, a vulnerable species, can live up to 1,000 years in undisturbed rainforest habitats. Unlike many rainforest species, both the Brazil nut tree and the kapok tree are deciduous-they shed their leaves during the dry season.

Animals often maneuver through the emergent layer's unstable topmost branches by flying or gliding. Animals that can't fly or glide are usually quite small-they need to be light enough to be supported by a tree's slender uppermost layers.

The animals living in the emergent layer of the Amazon rainforest include birds, bats, gliders, and butterflies. Large raptors, such as white-tailed hawks ( Geranoaetus albicaudatus) and harpy eagles ( Harpia harpyja), are its top predators.

In rainforests on the island of New Guinea, pygmy gliders populate the emergent layer. Pygmy gliders ( Acrobates pygmaeus) are small rodents that get their name from the way flaps of skin between their legs allow them to glide from branch to branch.

Bats are the most diverse mammal species in most tropical rainforests, and they regularly fly throughout the emergent, canopy, and understory layers. For instance, one of the world's largest species of bat, the Madagascan flying fox ( Pteropus rufus)-found on the African island of Madagascar-is an important pollinator that mainly feeds on juice from fruit, but will chew flowers for their nectar.
Canopy Layer
Beneath the emergent layer is the canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly six meters (20 feet) thick. The canopy's dense network of leaves and branches forms a roof over the two remaining layers.

The canopy blocks winds, rainfall, and sunlight, creating a humid, still, and dark environment below. Trees have adapted to this damp environment by producing glossy leaves with pointed tips that repel water.

With so much food available, more animals live in the canopy than any other layer in the rainforest. The dense vegetation dulls sound, so many-but not all-canopy dwellers are notable for their shrill or frequent vocalizing. In the Amazon rainforest, canopy fruit is snatched up in the large beaks of screeching scarlet macaws ( Ara macao) and keel-billed toucans ( Ramphastos sulfuratus), and picked by barking spider monkeys and howler monkeys. The silent two-toed sloth chews on the leaves, shoots, and fruit in the canopy.

Thousands and thousands of insect species can also be found in the canopy, from bees to beetles, borers to butterflies. Many of these insects are the principal diet of the canopy's reptiles, including the "flying" draco lizards of Southeast Asia.
Understory Layer
Located several meters below the canopy, the understory is an even darker, stiller, and more humid environment. Plants here, such as palms and philodendrons, are much shorter and have larger leaves than plants that dominate the canopy. Understory plants' large leaves catch the minimal sunlight reaching beyond the dense canopy.

Understory plants often produce flowers that are large and easy to see, such as Heliconia, native to the Americas and the South Pacific. Others have a strong smell, such as orchids. These features attract pollinators even in the understory's low-light conditions.

Animals call the understory home for a variety of reasons. Many take advantage of the dimly lit environment for camouflage. The spots on a jaguar ( Panthera onca), which are found in the rainforests of Central and South America, may be mistaken for leaves or flecks of sunlight, for instance. The green mamba, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, blends in with foliage as it slithers up branches in the Congo rainforest. Many bats, birds, and insects prefer the open airspace the understory offers. Amphibians, such as dazzlingly colored tree frogs, thrive in the humidity because it keeps their skin moist.

Central Africa's tropical rainforest canopies and understories are home to some of the most endangered and familiar rainforest animals-such as forest elephants, pythons, antelopes, and gorillas. Gorillas, a critically endangered genus of primate, are crucial for seed dispersal. Gorillas are herbivores that move throughout the dark, dense rainforest as well as more sun-dappled swamps and jungles. Their droppings disperse seeds in these sunny areas where new trees and shrubs can take root. In this way, gorillas are keystone species in many African rainforest ecosystems.
Forest Floor Layer
The forest floor is the darkest of all rainforest layers, making it extremely difficult for plants to grow. Leaves that fall to the forest floor decay quickly.

Decomposers, such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi, thrive on the forest floor. Organic matter falls from trees and plants, and these organisms break down the decaying material into nutrients. The shallow roots of rainforest trees absorb these nutrients, and dozens of predators consume the decomposers!

Animals such as wild pigs ( Sus scrofa), armadillos, and anteaters forage in the decomposing brush for these tasty insects, roots and tubers of the South American rainforest. Even larger predators, including leopards ( Panthera pardus), skulk in the darkness to surprise their prey. Smaller rodents, such as rats and lowland pacas (a type of striped rodent indigenous to Central and South America), hide from predators beneath the shallow roots of trees that dominate the canopy and emergent layer.

Rivers that run through some tropical rainforests create unusual freshwater habitats on the forest floor. The Amazon River, for instance, is home to the boto ( Inia geoffrensis), or pink river dolphin, one of the few freshwater dolphin species in the world. The Amazon is also home to black caimans ( Melanosuchus niger), large reptiles related to alligators, while the Congo River is home to the caimans' crocodilian cousin, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus).

Types of Rainforests
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests are mainly located between the latitudes of 23.5°N (the Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5°S (the Tropic of Capricorn)-the tropics. Tropical rainforests are found in Central and South America, western and central Africa, western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea, and Australia.

Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests' diverse flora and fauna. Roughly half of the world's species can be found here, with an estimated 40 to 100 or more different species of trees present in each hectare.

Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems in the world. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest. It is home to around 40,000 plant species, nearly 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427 species of mammals, and 2.5 million different insects. Red-bellied piranhas ( Pygocentrus nattereri) and pink river dolphins swim its waters. Jewel-toned parrots squawk and fly through its trees. Poison dart frogs warn off predators with their bright colors. Capuchin and spider monkeys swing and scamper through the branches of the rainforest's estimated 400 billion trees. Millions of mushrooms and other fungi decompose dead and dying plant material, recycling nutrients to the soil and organisms in the understory. The Amazon rainforest is truly an ecological kaleidoscope, full of colorful sights and sounds.
Temperate Rainforests
Temperate rainforests are located in the mid-latitudes, where temperatures are much more mild than the tropics. Temperate rainforests are found mostly in coastal, mountainous areas. These geographic conditions help create areas of high rainfall. Temperate rainforests can be found on the coasts of the Pacific Northwest in North America, Chile, the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, New Zealand, and southern Australia.

As their name implies, temperate rainforests are much cooler than their tropical cousins, averaging between 10° and 21°C (50° and 70°F). They are also much less sunny and rainy, receiving anywhere between 150-500 centimeters (60-200 inches) of rain per year. Rainfall in these forests is produced by warm, moist air coming in from the coast and being trapped by nearby mountains.

This productivity allows many plant species to grow for incredibly long periods of time. Temperate rainforest trees such as the coast redwood in the U.S. state of California and the alerce in Chile are among the oldest and largest tree species in the world.

The animals of the temperate rainforest are mostly made up of large mammals and small birds, insects, and reptiles. These species vary widely between rainforests in different world regions. Bobcats ( Lynx rufus), mountain lions ( Puma concolor), and black bears ( Ursus americanus) are major predators in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. In Australia, ground dwellers such as wallabies, bandicoots, and potoroos (small marsupials that are among Australia's most endangered animals) feast on the foods provided by the forest floor. Chile's rainforests are home to a number of unique birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker and the Juan Fernández firecrown, a hummingbird species that has a crown of color-changing feathers.

People and the Rainforest

Rainforests have been home to thriving, complex communities for thousands of years. For instance, unique rainforest ecosystems have influenced the diet of cultures from Africa to the Pacific Northwest.

The Mbuti, a community indigenous to the Ituri rainforest in Central Africa, have traditionally been hunter-gatherers. Their diet consists of plants and animals from every layer of the rainforest.

From the forest floor, the Mbuti hunt fish and crabs from the Ituri River (a tributary of the Congo), as well as gather berries from low-lying shrubs. The giant forest hog, a species of wild boar, is also frequently targeted by Mbuti hunters, although this species is hunted for sale more often than food. From the understory, the Mbuti may gather honey from bee hives, or hunt monkeys. From the canopy and emergent layers, Mbuti hunters may set nets or traps for birds.

Although they are a historically nomadic society, agriculture has become a way of life for many Mbuti communities today as they trade and barter with neighboring agricultural groups such as the Bantu for crops such as manioc, nuts, rice, and plantains.

The temperate rainforest of the northwest coast of North America is the home of the Tlingit. The Tlingit enjoy a diverse diet, relying on both marine and freshwater species, as well as game from inland forests.

Due to bountiful Pacific inlets, rivers, and streams, the traditional Tlingit diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic life: crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, seals, and fish such as herring, halibut, and, crucially, salmon. Kelps and other seaweeds can be harvested and eaten in soups or dried. One familiar Tlingit saying is "When the tide is out, our table is set."

In more inland areas, historic Tlingit hunters may have targeted deer, elk, rabbit, and mountain goats. Plants gathered or harvested include berries, nuts, and wild celery.

The Yanomami are a people and culture native to the northern Amazon rainforest, spanning the border between Venezuela and Brazil. Like the Chimbu, the Yanomami practice both hunting and shifting-cultivation agriculture.

Game hunted by the Yanomami include deer, tapirs (an animal similar to a pig), monkeys, birds, and armadillos. The Yanomami have hunting dogs to help them search the understory and forest floor for game.
Benefits of Rainforests Ecological Well-Being
Rainforests are critically important to the well-being of our planet. Tropical rainforests encompass approximately 1.2 billion hectares (3 billion acres) of vegetation and are sometimes described as the Earth's thermostat.

Rainforests also help maintain the world's water cycle. More than 50% of precipitation striking a rainforest is returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration, helping regulate healthy rainfall around the planet. Rainforests also store a considerable percentage of the world's freshwater, with the Amazon Basin alone storing one-fifth.
Human Well-Being
Rainforests provide us with many products that we use every day. Tropical woods such as teak, balsa, rosewood, and mahogany are used in flooring, doors, windows, boatbuilding, and cabinetry. Fibers such as raffia, bamboo, kapok, and rattan are used to make furniture, baskets, insulation, and cord. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and ginger are just a few spices of the rainforest. The ecosystem supports fruits including bananas, papayas, mangos, cocoa and coffee beans.

Rainforests also provide us with many medicinal products. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 70% of plants useful in the treatment of cancer are found only in rainforests. Rainforest plants are also used in the creation of muscle relaxants, steroids, and insecticides. They are used to treat asthma, arthritis, malaria, heart disease, and pneumonia. The importance of rainforest species in public health is even more incredible considering that less than one percent of rainforest species have been analyzed for their medicinal value.

Even rainforest fungi can contribute to humanity's well-being. A mushroom discovered in the tropical rainforest of Ecuador, for example, is capable of consuming polyurethane-a hard, durable type of plastic used in everything from garden hoses to carpets to shoes. The fungi can even consume the plastic in an oxygen-free environment, leading many environmentalists and businesses to invest in research to investigate if the fungi can help reduce waste in urban landfills.

Threats to Rainforests

Rainforests are disappearing at an alarmingly fast pace, largely due to human development over the past few centuries. Once covering 14% of land on Earth, rainforests now make up only 6%. Since 1947, the total area of tropical rainforests has probably been reduced by more than half, to about 6.2 to 7.8 million square kilometers (3 million square miles).

Such rapid habitat loss is due to the fact that 40 hectares (100 acres) of rainforest are cleared every minute for agricultural and industrial development. In the Pacific Northwest's rainforests, logging companies cut down trees for timber while paper industries use the wood for pulp. In the Amazon rainforest, large-scale agricultural industries, such as cattle ranching, clear huge tracts of forests for arable land. In the Congo rainforest, roads and other infrastructure development have reduced habitat and cut off migration corridors for many rainforest species. Throughout both the Amazon and Congo, mining and logging operations clear-cut to build roads and dig mines. Some rainforests are threatened by massive hydroelectric power projects, where dams flood acres of land. Development is encroaching on rainforest habitats from all sides.

Rainforest Conservation

Many individuals, communities, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are taking innovative approaches to protect threatened rainforest habitats.

Intergovernmental groups address rainforest conservation at a global scale. The United Nations' REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) Program, for example, offers financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions created by deforestation to 58 member countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo used REDD funds to create an online National Forest Monitoring System that tracks and maps data on logging concessions, deforestation in protected areas, and national forestry sector measures. REDD funds were also used to investigate best practices in solving land disputes in Cambodia, which lacks proper forest zoning and boundary enforcement.

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A rainforest is an area of tall trees and a high amount of rainfall.

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Join Gisele Bundchen when she meets with one of Brazil’s top climate scientists to discuss the complexity of the Amazon rainforest and its connection to Earth’s atmosphere.

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WWF's work

Today, we stand on the brink of losing the Amazon as we know it. And if we lose the Amazon, we lose our fight against climate change.

We're working hard to protect this precious place, as well as the wildlife that lives there. We're also working to support the rights of the indigenous and traditional people that call the Amazon home. This is not just about saving a forest, it's about our one shared home and the future survival of all of us.

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The vast and vibrant Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world and plays a critical role in our fight against climate change.

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Ready for an amazing outdoor adventure with Nat Geo Kids? Then check out our awesome Amazon facts as we head into the depths of the Amazon rainforest!
Amazon facts

1. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest. Covering over 5.5 million square kilometres, it's so big that the UK and Ireland would fit into it 17 times!

2. The Amazon is found in South America, spanning across Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

3. Running through the north of the rainforest is the Amazon River - a network of many hundreds of waterways that stretches 6,840km. Although there is some debate, most scientists agree that the Amazon is the world's second longest river after the River Nile.

4. In 2007, a man named Martin Strel swam the entire length of the Amazon river! To complete his splashing jungle journey, Martin powered through the water for up to ten hours a day for 66 days!

5. Around 400-500 indigenous Amerindian tribes call the Amazon rainforest home. It's believed that about fifty of these tribes have never had contact with the outside world!

6. The Amazon has an incredibly rich ecosystem - there are around 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 430 mammals and a whopping 2.5 million different insects. Wow!

7. The Amazon is home to a whole host of fascinating - and deadly! - creatures, including electric eels, flesh eating piranhas, poison dart frogs, and some seriously venomous snakes.

8. One fascinating fish found in the Amazon is the Pirarucu (also known as the arapaima or paiche). A menacing meat-eater, the pirarucu guzzles up other fish and can grow to nearly 3m long! And what makes it super deadly? It has teeth on the roof of its mouth and on its tongue!

9. This area of immense natural beauty plays an important role in limiting climate change. This is because the rich vegetation takes carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) out of the air and releases oxygen. You can learn more about this in our feature on the lifecycle of plants!

10. Due to the thickness of the canopy (the top branches and leaves of the trees), the Amazon floor is in permanent darkness. In fact, it's so thick that when it rains, it takes around ten minutes for the water to reach the ground!

If you liked this article, check out these awesome facts about the River Nile in Egypt! Plus, learn all about the water cycle and discover how habitat destruction is threatening Earth's rainforests.

Photos: Getty Images UK

What do you make of our Amazon facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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10 amazing Amazon facts! | National Geographic Kids

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Check out our 10 top Amazon facts here at Nat Geo Kids! Learn all about the rainforest, the Amazon river, the creatures that live there and more...

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360° panoramic photography by Ayslaner Gallo. Visit us to see more amazing panoramas from Brazil and thousands of other places in the world.

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Drones try to help in the fight against deforestation

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Drones try to help in the fight against deforestation

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The sheer size and diversity of species in the Amazon will insure that the WWF will continue to keep it as one of our top priorities for years to come.

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Why the Rainforest Is Important to All of Us