Summary Of Biome: Tropical Rainforest

Biome: Tropical Rainforest The tropical rainforest is one of the biomes that are present throughout the earth. The tropical rainforest ecosystem covers approximately 7% of the earth’s surface. Most of the earth’s rainforest are located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This about a 3,000 mile band around the center of the earth. Due to the location the temperature in the rainforest stays fairly steady, ranging from about 68℉ to 93 ℉, however, the humidity is also consistent ranging from 77-88% and producing 50 - 260 inches of rain a year. An interesting fact is that the tropical rain forest are thought to produce approximately 40% of the earth’s oxygen, despite only covering approximately 7% of the earth’s surface.

The trees in the emergent layer are the tallest, some of these reaching 100-240 feet. The trunks tend to be very smooth and branches do not occur until high up. The branches do not start closer the the ground because there is little sunlight for them to grow. The upper canopy trees grow from 60-130 feet. This level houses most of the animals in the rainforest. Because it is so dense and full of food, the animals very rarely have to come out of the canopy to survive. The leaves on these trees have “drip spouts”, which allows the water to run off the leaves and prevents mold and mildew from forming. The understory reaches about 60 feet high and includes the trunks from the upper canopy, shrubs, plants and small trees. This area is very dense and prevents air flow, which causes the humidity to be high and the areas are in the shade. The forest floor is almost completely shaded except for rare areas where a tree has fallen. The leaves and things that fall from the trees are quickly decomposed and reabsorbed, however the topsoil in these areas is of very poor

Phuket, Thailand is the largest island in Thailand, and is approximately 500 miles from Bangkok. Phuket features and tropical monsoon climate due to how close it is to the equator. Phuket’s temperature is on average 83℉, with the coldest temperature being 81℉. Phuket’s weather is typically divide into two different seasons, dry and rainy. The seasons are determined by the tropical monsoons, these are characterised by high winds, that blow from north east producing the monsoons. The other half of the year the winds blow from the south east, which produces the dry season. The dry season typically runs from December to March, however, the tourist traffic is highest during this time and the climate is slightly