Tropical Rainforest

The tropical rainforest is generally considered the richest, most diverse ecosystem on Earth. Its diversity means it is endlessly fascinating for biologists and naturalists. And there are probably more questions about the rainforest than any other natural history subject. Hopefully some of the more obvious ones are answered here. One of the most common questions is

What is tropical rain forest?

Tropical rainforest is found around the equatorial bulge of the planet. About half of it occurs in South and Central America.
There is also tropical rainforest in New Guinea.
A small amount also occurs in north-east Australia.

When people are planning to explore the tropical forests of the world, they usually want to know about the weather and climate.
What are the seasons in the tropical forest?
How do you cope with the hot and sticky climate?
When exploring this habitat, most visitors are confined to the darker floor of the forest. If a large opening does appear in the canopy, there is an explosion of plant growth. Once a seedling starts growing, it may develop into a huge tree. And all around and on top of the canopy of these rain forest trees grows a huge range of other plants. These epiphytes and vines are one of the defining characteristics of tropical rain forest.
How plants can perform their photosynthesis in the relative low light?
How tall can a rainforest tree grow?
How do climbing plants grow in the rainforest?

People often expect the jungle to be full of big, bright flowers. They are usually more subtle than that. But there is a huge variation within flower colours, size and arrangement.

Why are there not more obvious flowers in the rainforest?
What are the different parts of rain forest flowers?

Once they are pollinated, flowers produce seeds, usually within fruits, which then have to be taken way from the parent plant.
How are rainforest seeds dispersed?

Generally, animals are difficult to spot in the rainforest. In documentaries, we spend months filming wildlife that will all get squished into a few minutes of footage.

Many creatures are virtually invisible, such as the cryptic stick insects.
But if you practise some patience and luck, smaller creatures can be spotted regularly, such as frogs. The amphibians, which many of us take for granted, are amazing creatures. What is the life cycle of a frog?
Why do frogs call?
How does frog sex occur?

Birds can also be difficult to spot in the rainforest.

What are birds of paradise?

And with all the worry about rainforest destruction and climate change, people often ask: What about global warming and the rainforest?

What is the best field guide to the tropical rainforest of Australia?