Equatorial forests are those that occur in the region of the equator, marked by high temperatures, high amount of rain and broadleaf vegetation, with large, broad and green leaves during all year.
The largest equatorial forest in the world is the Amazon rainforest, which is also classified as a tropical forest. The next is the Congo rainforest in Africa.
Features
Learn about the main characteristics of equatorial forests:
Location
The equatorial forest occurs in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa.
Climate conditions
O equatorial climate it is predominant and characterized by large amounts of rain, high temperature and high humidity. Rains occur throughout the year and there is no period of dry weather.
Ground
The soil of the equatorial forest is considered impoverished, serving as a decomposition deposit for leaves (litter), small invertebrates and fungi, which maintain its productivity.
Vegetation
Equatorial forests are known for their dense vegetation and imposing trees that can reach up to 60 meters in height, with wide, full crowns.
The vegetation is divided into strata, the first layer is the canopy, a structure also present in the tropical forest, situated up to 50 meters above the ground and the largest, leafiest trees, exceed their limits, receiving light directly.
This dense upper stratum prevents light from reaching the ground, modifying the living conditions in the lower strata.
The arboreal stratum comprises the smaller trees and in the understory there are shrubs, vines and lianas. There is also the herbaceous layer composed of small herbs and fallen trunks.
It is worth mentioning the enormous diversity of plant species found in the equatorial forest.
Fauna
The fauna of the equatorial forest is rich in species of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. Depending on your location, the following animals are found: toucans, jaguars, capybaras, gorillas, leopards and chimpanzees.
Examples
Amazon rainforest
The biggest forest on the planet is the Amazon rainforest, which covers the states of Amazonas, Acre, Amapá, Rondônia, Pará and Roraima, and in smaller proportions the countries Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
It is a region rich in biodiversity, to give you an idea, there are more than 40 thousand species of plants. However, deforestation threatens many living beings that inhabit the Amazon rainforest.
Congo forest
The second largest equatorial forest in the world is the Congo forest, located in Central Africa and covers seven countries: Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
It is home to more than 10,000 plant species, including large trees such as palm trees, red cedar, mahogany and oak. Among the animals stand out elephants, lions, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, gorillas and chimpanzees.
Tropical forest
THE tropical forest, also called tropical rainforest or humid forest, is characterized by richness of species, warm climate and high precipitation and humidity.
They are regions located between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, found in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
