Rainforest

A rainforest is a forested biome with high annual rainfall due to the Intertropical convergence zone. Some cite a minimum normal annual rainfall of 2000 mm (about 100 inches or 200 centimetres), with normal rainfall at least 60 mm during each of the twelve months of the year. Others set the minimum annual rainfall barrier as low as 1700 mm (about 67 inches). The soil can be poor because high rainfall tends to leach out soluble nutrients. This type of biome is found in both temperate and tropical climates. As well as prodigious rainfall, many rainforests are characterised by a high number of resident species and tremendous biodiversity.

Rainforests

The largest tropical rainforests exist in the Amazon basin (the Amazon Rainforest), in the equatorial portions of Africa from Cameroon to the Democratic Republic of Congo; in much of southeastern Asia from Myanmar to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea; and also eastern Queensland, Australia.

Related Topics:
Amazon basin - Amazon Rainforest - Africa - Cameroon - Democratic Republic of Congo - Asia - Myanmar - Indonesia - Papua New Guinea - Queensland - Australia

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Temperate rainforests are found along the northernmost and southernmost shores of the Pacific Ocean from central Japan, Taiwan, southern Alaska south to northwest California, the Pacific-Northwest (Washington - Hoh Rain Forest), the west coast of Canada (Vancouver Island, British Columbia), southern Chile, New Zealand and Tasmania, Australia, and also in the northwestern British Isles, the former Yugoslavia, and the western Caucasus and northern Alborz mountains. Most temperate rainforests result from prevailing winds off the sea crossing mountains.

Related Topics:
Pacific Ocean - Japan - Taiwan - Alaska - California - Washington - Hoh Rain Forest - Vancouver Island - British Columbia - Chile - New Zealand - Tasmania - British Isles - Yugoslavia - Caucasus - Alborz - Mountain

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