Why do tropical rainforests form at the equator?

Why do tropical rainforests form at the equator?

Tropical rainforests are found near the equator due to the amount of rainfall and the amount of sunshine these areas receive. The high temperatures means that evaporation happens at a fast rate, resulting in frequent rainfall.

Is the tropical rainforest by the equator?

Description. There are two types of rainforests, tropical and temperate. Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator where it is warm. Temperate rainforests are found near the cooler coastal areas further north or south of the equator.

How does the tropical rainforest reflect the equatorial climate?

The equatorial latitude of tropical rainforests and tropical deciduous forests keeps day length and mean temperature fairly constant throughout the year. The sun rises daily to a near-vertical position at noon, ensuring a high level of incoming radiant energy at all seasons.

What is the weather like in the rainforest near the equator?

The equatorial latitude of tropical rainforests and tropical deciduous forests keeps day length and mean temperature fairly constant throughout the year. The climate is always hot and wet in most parts of the equatorial belt, but in regions to its north and south seasonal rainfall is experienced.

Why is rainfall high at the equator?

The air above the Equator is very hot and rises, creating an area of low pressure. The Equator experiences high amounts of rainfall due to this rising air resulting in a warm and wet equatorial climate (eg the Amazon and Congo tropical rainforests). This is because sinking air does not result in precipitation.

Why does air rise at the equator?

This pattern, called atmospheric circulation, is caused because the Sun heats the Earth more at the equator than at the poles. In the tropics, near the equator, warm air rises. When it gets about 10-15 km (6-9 miles) above the Earth surface it starts to flow away from the equator and towards the poles.

How are tropical rainforests formed?

Because of the hot and humid environment, the nutrients present in organic matter are cycled out of the soil and into growing vegetation extremely rapidly. Animals or bits of foliage that die and fall to the forest floor are quickly scavenged by other organisms to support the forest’s rapid growth.

What climate factors are involved in the forest formation?

Summary. The physical environment of forests is determined by edaphic (soil) factors and micro-climate (precipitation, light, temperature, and wind).

How is the weather in the tropical rainforest?

Tropical rainforests are lush and warm all year long! Temperatures don’t even change much between night and day. The average temperature in tropical rainforests ranges from 70 to 85°F (21 to 30°C). The environment is pretty wet in tropical rainforests, maintaining a high humidity of 77% to 88% year-round.

How does the equator affect rainfall?

Near the Earth’s equator, solar heating is intense year round. The Sun heats the ocean, evaporating tremendous amounts of water. As air rises, it cools, and water vapor condenses into rain. This daily cycle of heating, evaporation, and convection creates a persistent band of showers and storms around Earth’s middle.