The evergreen forests are essential in not only promoting greenery on the

planet, but they are also useful in the continual survival of animals and plants in
the forest ecosystem. The trees are evergreen as there is no period of drought.
They are mostly tall and hardwood.
The temperature of the earth is changing day by day. Have you ever wondered
how we are surviving on Earth? The answer to this question is the presence of
tropical rainforest on our planet which covers less than 2% of the surface of the
Earth but plays a huge role in maintaining the ecological balance and the
environment of the whole planet. These forests are the source of oxygen, plants
and other species, minerals, etc. Without these equatorial forests survival on the
Earth would not be possible.
Tropical Rainforest
The tropical rainforest biome is the area that covers only around 6% of the area
of the Earth but it covers around 50% of the species and has tall trees, has a
dense canopy and receives maximum rainfall. These forests are also known as,
 Equatorial Rainforests
 Equatorial Evergreen Forests
 Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
 Lowland Equatorial Evergreen Rainforest
In India, tropical rainforests are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the
Western Ghats, which fringe the Arabian Sea, the coastline of peninsular India,
and the greater Assam region in the north-east.
Features
 The biotic and abiotic factors depend on each other. A minor change in
one area will affect the other.
 These areas have huge biodiversity.
 The temperature is almost the same the whole year and never comes
below 20°C and exceeds 35°C rarely.
 There are no seasons and a hot or humid atmosphere is found here.
  Rainfall occurs a lot here thus the soil is not so fertile here because most
of the nutrients are washed away due to rainfall.
 The forests have a dense canopy here and sunlight does not reach the
ground.
 They have different layers such as the ground level, the shrubs, the under
and main canopy, and the emergents.
Geographical Location
These forests are found on the eastern and western slopes of the Western Ghats.
These forests are found in between the tropics i.e. Tropic of Cancer and Tropic
of Capricorn. These are mainly found in South America, Western or Central
Africa, India and Southeast Asia, and some other areas. The extent of their
distribution can be seen on the map.
The states where these forests are predominantly identified are Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura,
Meghalaya, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Tropical Rainforest Plants
The "Selvas" is the densest forest area found in the Amazon forests which has a
very dense canopy. Evergreen trees can be found here such as mahogany,
ebony, dyewoods, Kapok, rubber, etc. Other Plants in the rainforest such as
orchids, ferns, bamboo, banana, cassava, avocado, etc. are also found in these
areas. Besides these, Mangrove trees are found in the coastal areas.
Adaptations of Roots
 Shallow Roots : The rainforest soil does not have many nutrients like the
soil in other parts of the world. In tropical regions, most nutrients are in
the ground near the surface, so many plants here have very shallow roots,
like the liana pictured to the right. Many trees root themselves deep into
the soil to stay tall and strong regardless of where they grow. These trees
are essential to the rainforest because they allow plants and trees that do
not root deeply to remain sheltered, stabilized, and secured.
  Above-Ground Roots : Due to the lack of nutrients deep in the ground,
some trees, like the mangrove, will develop differently. The mangrove
roots increase much faster than the rest of the tree. However, instead of
reaching deep into the soil, many of the roots will be above ground.
These kinds of roots are called props or stilt roots. It must increase since
it does not receive stabilization from burrowing deep into the soil. The
mangrove root can develop as soon as 28 inches in a month.
 Roots Winding Around Other Trees : Although their color and texture
are much like trees, Lianas are vines. They only survive because they
wind themselves around neighboring trees to reach sunlight, which allows
them to get the needed sunlight and gives these trees support due to their
shallow roots. Strong wind or heavy rainfall could uproot it without the
support of a more solid structure. These plants can grow as tall as 3,000
feet.
Adaptations of Trees in Rainforests
Because the rainforest has a unique atmosphere, the trees develop differently
than those that live in more temperate climates.
 Thin, Tall, Smooth Trees : Where moisture is thick, and temperatures
are high, trees do not need this hard covering; tropical trees have much
thinner, smoother bark. Since these trees do not expend their energy
developing branches to soak up sunlight and moisture, they grow very tall
with little to no branches lower down on the trees.
 Waxy, Spout-Like Leaves : Their leaves are also shaped differently
since fungi and bacteria grow very well in these warm, humid
environments. The leaves are very waxy, growing so that water falls off
them, much like a spout or drip tip, which prevents the growth of fungi or
other bacteria on the tree to protect themselves.
  Tropical Rainforest Animals : Various animal species are found here
such as rhinoceros, tapir, gorilla, jaguar, African grey parrot, keel-billed
toucan, spider monkey, sloth, hornbill, eagle, flying fox, etc.
Animal Adaptations
 A Beak That Cools : Animals have also adapted to the rainforest. One
very notable change was within the toucan. They have enormous beaks,
which serve as a way to cool down.
 Unique Eating Systems : Many animals developed unique ways to eat
and consume the assortment of food in the rainforest. For example, many
birds in the rainforest, like parrots, have solid and large beaks that can
crush the extra-thick shells of nuts.
 Alarm Systems : Poisonous animals like the poison arrow frog are
brightly colored, alerting other animals to stay away. If eaten, their skin is
poisonous, and the animal who consumes them will die.
 Good Swimmers and Tree Dwellers : The Jaguar is a big predatory cat
that tends to stalk prey from trees. It is an excellent tree climber and
surprisingly a good swimmer, making it one of the few cats that enjoy the
water, although it spends most of its time in trees, hunting for prey or
lazing around.
 Good Climbers : Another animal often found in the trees is the spider
monkey. Its tail is more like a hand than any other monkey, allowing
them to hold onto branches while it picks fruit. Their arms are also quite
long, enabling them to swing from limb to limb, covering as far as forty
feet with one arm swing.
 Camouflage : Stick insects are unique tropical bugs that predators
overlook because they resemble a stick. Chameleons are also excellent
hiders since they can change color to match their surroundings.
Threats to Rainforests in India
In India, temperate rainforests are primarily located in the Himalayan region.
These forests are characterized by high rainfall and are predominantly
evergreen, hosting a wide variety of flora and fauna. Species such as the
Himalayan oak, rhododendron, and various orchids are common, supporting
diverse wildlife including several endangered species.
The expansion of agricultural lands, unsustainable logging practices, and
infrastructure development have historically threatened these temperate zones.
The pressure of increasing human population in these regions leads to the
clearing of forests for agriculture, settlements, and gathering of wood for fuel
and construction, contributing to significant habitat loss.
Conservation Efforts
Efforts to conserve and restore temperate rainforests in India involve various
stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental organizations,
and local communities. Projects focus on promoting sustainable forestry
practices, reforestation, and the protection of existing forest areas through the
establishment of protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
The conservation of temperate rainforests in India is crucial not only for
maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance but also for the well-being of
human populations that depend on these forests for their livelihoods. By
strengthening forest governance, enhancing public awareness, and fostering
international cooperation, India can ensure the preservation of these valuable
ecosystems for future generations.
Protecting these forests is not just an environmental necessity but also a crucial
step towards sustainable development in the face of global climate challenges.
Five Basic Steps to Saving Rainforests
"TREES" is a concept originally devised for an elementary school audience but
serves well as set of principles for saving rainforests and, on a broader scale,
ecosystems around the world.
 Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can
help save rainforests.
 Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests
have been cut down.
 Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment.
 Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife.
 Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the
environment.