Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Introduction to Tropical
Forest Biomes
In the region directly north and south of the Equator called the Tropics lies the
most unique and diverse lands. These lands are home to hundreds of thousands, or
perhaps millions of species, and regulate the Earth's air, water, weather, and
energy cycles. These lands and their flora and fauna are essential to life today. On
these lands are the Tropical Forests of the world.
Tropical Forest Biomes hold the richest biodiversity of all other terrestrial
biomes. Two world biomes are included in the Tropical Forest designation, the
Tropical Broadleaf Evergreen Forest, also called the Tropical Rainforest or the
Equatorial Rainforest Biome, and the Tropical Seasonal Forest also known as
the Tropical Deciduous Forest or the Tropical Monsoonal Forest Biome. Both bio-
mes are located between the Tropic of Cancer at 23
N latitude and the Tropical of
Capricorn at 23
S latitude. The zone between these two latitudes is called ''the
Tropics.'' ''The Equatorial Zone'' is within the Tropics, along both sides of the
Equator. Tropical rainforests occur mostly within the Equatorial Zone. Tropical
Seasonal Forests are located north and south of the equatorial zone. High tempera-
tures, caused by intensive solar radiation and high rainfall amounts are universal
in the tropics. The Tropical Rainforest experiences these throughout the year,
while the Tropical Seasonal Forest experiences seasonal shifts in temperature, and
drastic seasonal shifts in rainfall. The plants, animals, and other organisms that
inhabit these biomes have evolved unique and varied adaptations to thrive in these
environments.
1
