Tropical Forests | Environment for UPSC 2025 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

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TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS 
 
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TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS 
 
Tropical rainforests are rainforests that occur in areas 
of tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry 
season – all months have an average precipitation of 
at least 60 mm – and may also be referred to 
as lowland equatorial evergreen rainforest.  
 
Also known as Tropical moist broadleaf forest,  Tropical 
wet forests, etc. 
 
True rainforests are typically found between 10 degrees 
north and south of the equator, they are a sub-set of 
the tropical forest biome that occurs roughly within 
the 28 degree latitudes (in the equatorial zone 
between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn) 
Page 3


TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS 
 
Tropical rainforests are rainforests that occur in areas 
of tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry 
season – all months have an average precipitation of 
at least 60 mm – and may also be referred to 
as lowland equatorial evergreen rainforest.  
 
Also known as Tropical moist broadleaf forest,  Tropical 
wet forests, etc. 
 
True rainforests are typically found between 10 degrees 
north and south of the equator, they are a sub-set of 
the tropical forest biome that occurs roughly within 
the 28 degree latitudes (in the equatorial zone 
between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn) 
Page 4


TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS 
 
Tropical rainforests are rainforests that occur in areas 
of tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry 
season – all months have an average precipitation of 
at least 60 mm – and may also be referred to 
as lowland equatorial evergreen rainforest.  
 
Also known as Tropical moist broadleaf forest,  Tropical 
wet forests, etc. 
 
True rainforests are typically found between 10 degrees 
north and south of the equator, they are a sub-set of 
the tropical forest biome that occurs roughly within 
the 28 degree latitudes (in the equatorial zone 
between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn) 
FEATURES 
Tropical rainforests can be characterized in two words: hot 
and wet.  
Mean monthly temperatures exceed 18 °C during all months 
of the year.
 
 Average annual rainfall is no less than 1,680 mm (66 in) and 
can exceed 10 m (390 in) although it typically lies between 
1,750 mm (69 in) and 3,000 mm (120 in).
 
This high level of precipitation often results in poor soils 
(SELVA soils) due to leaching of soluble nutrients in the 
ground. 
Tropical rainforests exhibit high levels of biodiversity. 
 Around 40% to 75% of all biotic species are indigenous to 
the rainforests. 
Trees are hardwood types and include Mahogany, Cinchona, 
Rosewood,  Ebony, Rubber, etc. 
 
Page 5


TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS 
 
Tropical rainforests are rainforests that occur in areas 
of tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry 
season – all months have an average precipitation of 
at least 60 mm – and may also be referred to 
as lowland equatorial evergreen rainforest.  
 
Also known as Tropical moist broadleaf forest,  Tropical 
wet forests, etc. 
 
True rainforests are typically found between 10 degrees 
north and south of the equator, they are a sub-set of 
the tropical forest biome that occurs roughly within 
the 28 degree latitudes (in the equatorial zone 
between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn) 
FEATURES 
Tropical rainforests can be characterized in two words: hot 
and wet.  
Mean monthly temperatures exceed 18 °C during all months 
of the year.
 
 Average annual rainfall is no less than 1,680 mm (66 in) and 
can exceed 10 m (390 in) although it typically lies between 
1,750 mm (69 in) and 3,000 mm (120 in).
 
This high level of precipitation often results in poor soils 
(SELVA soils) due to leaching of soluble nutrients in the 
ground. 
Tropical rainforests exhibit high levels of biodiversity. 
 Around 40% to 75% of all biotic species are indigenous to 
the rainforests. 
Trees are hardwood types and include Mahogany, Cinchona, 
Rosewood,  Ebony, Rubber, etc. 
 
STRATIFICATION IN TROPICAL 
FORESTS 
• Emergent trees  
• Canopy trees  
• Subcanopy trees 
• Shrubs and small trees  
• Ground plants