Tropical Rain Forest Biome

The tropical biome is an ecosystem unique to areascanopy. However, the ground is free of grasses and
around the earth's equator. Parts of South America,small plants because no sunlight is available. Decayed
South Africa and Southeast Asia are areas mostplant material and microorganisms thrive in the hot
commonly identified as tropical rainforest biomes.moist environment on the rainforest floor.
These unusual biomes are home to plants and animalsTropical rainforests see from 60 to 160 inches of
found nowhere else in the world. This is the fact thatrainfall a year, and it's fairly evenly distributed
makes them very unique. In fact, most plants andthroughout the year. Since there isn't a 'rainy season'
animals in rainforest biomes are unable to live outside aplants and animals in rainforests can depend on a
'captive' environment in other parts of the world. Forconstant source of moisture. Temperature ranges
example, most of our household plants come fromfrom 68˙F to 93˙F and humidity
tropical rainforest biomes, and would not survive onis a constant 77-88˙.
their own outside the captivity and almost constantThe value of rainforests to humankind is undeniable.
attention available in a house or building.Many plant species are used to produce medicines for
Rainforest biomes are protected by a 250 foothuman consumption. Forty per cent of Earth's oxygen
canopy of tree tops that allow very little sunlight tois produced by tropical rainforests. However, tropical
filter through. Vines typically grow up and around treerainforest biomes have been reduced to less than 6%
trunks under the canopy reaching for sunlight, andof earth's land surface.
smaller trees and plants, ferns and palms-that do notWe need to rethink our tacit agreement to the
require direct sunlight-grow on the ground under thedestruction of this vital resource.