Rainforests
⭐ MasteredRainforests are warm, wet forests full of life. They are home to more than half of all land animals and plants.
The Amazon rainforest produces a big share of the world's oxygen.
All about Rainforests
Rainforests are warm, wet forests that receive a lot of rain throughout the year. They grow in tropical areas, such as the Amazon in South America, the Congo in Africa and parts of South-East Asia. Their tall trees form layers, from the forest floor to the canopy.
Rainforests are home to a huge share of the world's plant and animal species, including monkeys, jaguars, toucans and countless insects. Many species are still undiscovered by scientists.
They are home to more than half of all the plant and animal species on land, even though they cover only a small part of the Earth's surface.
Many plants that grow there are used to make medicines. Rainforests are being cut down quickly in some places, so protecting them helps many species survive.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows the layers of a rainforest from the forest floor up to the canopy. Watch how the shade gets darker near the ground and how the animals live at different heights.
Real-life uses of Rainforests
- Providing medicines, such as some drugs made from rainforest plants
- Storing carbon that would otherwise add to climate change
- Supporting local communities who rely on forest food and materials
Frequently asked questions about Rainforests
Where are the world's rainforests?
Mostly near the equator in South America, Central Africa, South-East Asia and parts of Australia.
Why are rainforests important?
They are home to a huge variety of life, help control the climate and produce a large part of the oxygen and rainfall we rely on.
What is the canopy?
The layer of leaves and branches formed by the tops of the tallest trees, where many animals spend most of their lives.