They are a product of planetary processes and are, in turn, contributors to the water and carbon cycles on which all life depends. You'll find an introduction to rain forests under GeoSystems , a guide to animal and plant life under EcoSystems , and games to play listed under Interact . In general, tropical rain forests occur where a mean monthly temperature of between 20 and 28 degrees C is combined with an annual rainfall of between 1.5 and 10 meters, evenly distributed throughout the year. Rainforest Education Dr. Steven Blythe, of Melbourne, Florida, is a family physician who has made many trips to the rainforest to provide medical help. For example, most trees flare at the base.
Vegetation is dense, tall and very green.
Many species exist in both rain forests, although the diversity is greater in the tropical rainforest. Both tropical and temperate rain forests are very lush and wet. Visit them by clicking the small icons at the top of each page.