Some lowland rainforests contain swamp forests. Life is so abundant in lowland rainforests that a single acre may hold as many as 15,000 separate plant and animal species. Trees in lowland rainforests can grow to heights of 150 ft or more which are often supported by enormous buttress roots. Montane forests are given the name 'cloud' forest because they are constantly shrouded in mist. Rainfall increases and temperature decreases at these higher elevations.
Trees become shorter and grow crooked rather than upright, and their leaves are smaller.
Tropical species give way to those found more commonly in temperature forests such as oak, beech and conifer trees. Mangrove Rainforest Mangrove forests are found at the edge of the sea where regular flooding occurs. These roots, known as stilt or prop roots, trap debris which provide the trees with nutrients but are also important for stabilizing the shoreline. Mangrove forests range in stature from shrubs a few feet high to trees which can reach heights of 80 ft. Mangroves are home to many bird species and mollusks.