A rain forest is a wooded area characterized by lush vegetation and high temperatures. Rain forests deforestation is increasing more with every year, although there are many conservation groups that are steadily saving the rain forest acre by acre. .
Some characteristics of the rainforest are: temperatures are usually hot and steamy, the average yearly temperature is 77*F. Rain forests are not usually found near areas where the temperature drops below 32*F, because the plants and animals are not adapted to frost. The rainfall can average a minimum of 6 ft., or a maximum of 30 ft. per year. Rain forests usually never have any dry seasons, if they are short and not predictable. The soil in the rain forest is poor in nutrients that can benefit its plants. When the plants die they free nutrients back into the soil, but they are rapidly absorbed again by other plants.
The structure of a rain forest is made up of four layers, also known as strata, the under story, midstory, canopy, emergent trees. The under story is made up of palms, herbaceous plants, and tree seedlings. The under story plants have built-up atypical traits to handle low levels. The midstory consist of woody plants, such as large shrubs and mid sized trees. The canopy consist of tree tops that's outward appearance is an endless layer captures the mass of rain and sunlight striking the forest. The highest part of the stratum, or emergent trees, rise above the canopy and may reach a height of 115-230 feet or more and the diameter of the trunk can get over 6.6 feet.
The rain forest contains more plant and animal varieties than any other environment in the world. The plants come in many diverse breeds. Some of which are(trees) kapok, palms, and banana. The, rafflesia or corpse lily, weights up to 15 pounds and the petal gets up to 1 yard in width, it is most frequently known for it's foul smell. The ratten palm, vine, can get 10 inches in diameter and are commonly found connecting trees.
