- Katie F.

Rain forests are forests that contain tall trees, are warm all year round and have a sufficient amount of rainfall. Most rain forests are located near the equator and they all stay green year round.

About half of the world's species of plants and animals live in tropical rain forests. Leaves that cover the tops of the trees are called the upper canopy. Canopies cover the bottom ground of the forest and intern the ground receives less than one percent of sunlight. At least 80 inches of rain fall each year in these mass forests. Every rain forest resembles all the others except that they have different groups of animals and plant species.

Since a rain forest stays green all year round, trees just lose leaves and grow new ones. Certain types of trees might lose all their leaves for a short amount of time during the year. Trees in these forests provide fruit, timber, and other useful products. Many important medicines come from the trees in rain forests.

Throughout the years not many people have lived in the rain forests. People cut down trees to clear land. After a few years the soil no longer brings good harvests. Then the cycle repeats itself and more land is cleared away.

With toady's population growth demands for natural resources and space are high. Lands are diminishing because of the need for farm land city space. If this continues hundreds of species will vanish forever.

SOURCE- The World Book Encyclopedia volume 19, World Book Inc., Chicago 1988.