Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystems

One of the first misconceptions about rain forest ecosystems is that the foliage consists of only plants that are densely packed. Tropical rain forests are also filled with an abundance of tall trees. These trees work together to form a "tropical ceiling," also know as a canopy, that covers the smaller plants from the heat and brightness of the sun. In areas where this covering occurs, the plants do not grow to a very large size. Yet in areas where the sunshine is allowed to reach the plants, there are many different types of exotic plants that grow. The forests are filled with an abundance of organisms such as herbs, trees, shrubs and other foliage. These plants, along with other factors, such as dead and decaying animals, add organic matter and alter the soil in the forest. This process increases the rate at which water is retained and infiltrated.

The tropical rain forest ecosystems are enveloped in constant moisture. The moisture is received from the constant cloud cover that is present, the amount of rainfall and the transpiration that occurs. Transpiration is actually a term for the action of water loss through leaves from the plants and trees. The trees that cover the area, or canopy trees, actually give way to about 200 gallons of water each on an annual basis. If the rain forest is large, then they can actually contribute to rain clouds forming and also produce about 75% of their own rainfall.

Forest ecosystems are filled with organisms that are dependant upon each other, be they plant, animal or mineral. This biological interdependency happens in many ways. It could be plants relying on a species of insect for pollination and perhaps to disperse seeds. It could also be symbiotic relationships, which are the close relationships between different species, ecologically. It is exceedingly important that we realize just how important these types of relationships are to the existence of an ecosystem. Factors such as deforestation and the practice of land development have played a huge factor in harming such bio-networks. We need to work to make sure that processes, such as ecosystem management and sustainable forestry, are practiced in order to maintain this important part of our world.