Tropical rainforest
A forest ecosystem in the tropics with warm temperatures, abundant year-round rainfall, dense vegetation, and exceptionally high biodiversity.
Tropical climate: A climate regime found between the tropics, generally marked by warm temperatures throughout the year. Consistent warmth and seasonal rainfall patterns shape rainforest growth.
Water cycle: The continuous movement of water among the atmosphere, land, oceans, and living organisms. Rainfall, soil water, and plant transpiration link rainforest life to the atmosphere.
Carbon sequestration: The capture and storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in plants, soils, or other reservoirs. Rainforest biomass stores substantial carbon, while clearing can release it.
Biodiversity loss: A decline in the variety of life at genetic, species, or ecosystem levels. Habitat destruction and fragmentation drive losses among rainforest species.
Canopy: The upper layer of foliage formed by the crowns of trees in a forest. Its dense foliage captures light and creates habitat above the forest floor.
Nutrient cycling: The movement and reuse of chemical elements through organisms and the physical environment. Nutrients are often stored in living biomass and recycled quickly after decay.
Deforestation: The permanent removal of forest cover, commonly to convert land to another use. It is the principal process that converts intact rainforest into farms, pasture, or other land.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Roads and cleared land expose rainforest fragments to edge effects and isolation.
Forest floor: The ground-level layer of a forest, including soil, leaf litter, and low-growing organisms. Rapid decomposition and limited light distinguish this layer from the canopy.
Decomposition: The breakdown of dead organic matter into simpler substances by organisms and physical processes. Warm, moist conditions accelerate the return of nutrients from litter to plants.