Tropical Rain Forests

Tropical rain forests grow in regions with plenty of moisture and heat. They are also referred as 'evergreen forests'.

Characteristics of Tropical Rain Forests

a) Temperature and humidity are high and has a very rich florestic and faunistic composition.

b) Canopy is very well developed and understory vegetation is fairly thick, short trees (upto 20 m), shrubs (upto 10 m) and herbs layer.

c) Annual rainfall is around 200 - 225 cm and evenly distributed throughout the year.

Flora

1) Crowns of large trees (canopy trees) are covered by epiphytes - non - parasitic plants. Epiphytic plants are autotrophic and have aerial roots which absorb water from torrential rains, which occur almost daily. Dominant epiphytes are orchids and ferns.

2) Besides, 'lianas' with roots in the ground and their leaves and flowers in the canopy of trees are found.

Fauna

i) The forest soil is rich in microorganisms and soil fauna.

ii) Termites are abundant. Birds like parakeets, toucans are seen. Monkeys, lemurs, sloths, ant-eaters, bats, leopards are common.

In India, rain forests are found in Kerala, Assam and Gandhamardian hills of Orissa, sub tropical rain forests in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, wet temperate forests of Kodiakanal and Udagamandalam in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Western Ghats

Western ghats have a very rich biodiversity and has been identified as 'hot spot of high level of diversity'. They comprise of a chain of hills 1600 km long running parallel to the west coast of the Indian peninsula. Elevation rises upto 2800 m.

Western ghats harbour 5500 species of flowering plants and 800 tree species. Forests form the natural climax vegetation. Distributions are governed by rainfall, slope factor, soil, grazing herbivores, etc.