The location of rainforests
Rainforests are found just north and south of the equator.
They are mostly found in a belt between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. The three continents that contain most of the rainforests are South America, Africa and Asia. Some examples of countries that contain rainforests are Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar and Australia. |
Abiotic (non-living) features |
Biotic (living) features |
Climate and Weather Tropical rainforests average >2000mm rainfall per year - because of an area of low pressure at the equator. This low pressure is directly overhead for 6 months a year which creates a distinct wet season. Temperatures > 27°C - The temperature is high and constant throughout the year. Soils They are infertile. Most nutrients are found at the surface in a layer called the humus because any plant material decays quickly in the hot conditions. The rainfall quickly dissolves and caries away nutrients - this is called leaching and it leaves behind an infertile soil called latosol |
Animals See animal section Plants See plant section |