What comes into your mind when you hear the word "rain forest?" I've asked several people and some asked me in return, "is it the mineral water we're drinking?" That sounds funny… but that's how they reacted. Grolier defines rain forest as "a dense evergreen forest occupying a tropical region with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches."

The tropical rain forests have a constantly warm and rainy climate. It's annual rainfall averages from 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters. They are actually the cool rain forests in the middle of the latitudes. They also have heavy rainfall, however, their climate is much lower than that of the tropics.

Locations

If we try to review our Geography back in High School, can we still recall where most of the rain forests are located? The largest areas of rain forest are in the lowlands of equatorial Africa and Amazon River Valley of South America. There are other tropical rain forests in Central America, in Southeast Asia, in Northeastern Australia, and on the islands of Indonesia. Most of the tropical islands of the world have rain forests on their rainy, windward sides. Cool rain forests are found along the northwestern coast of North America, in southeastern Australia, in New Zealand, and in southern Chile. Small areas of cool rain forest cover some mountain slopes in regions with a wet climate.

What are Tropical Rain Forests?

Trees in tropical rain forests are green all year. Many kinds of trees grow there. The wood of some trees is too heavy to float in waters. The wood of others, like the balsa, whose wood is used in model airplanes is very light. The trees grow close together and reach the height of 30 meters (about 100 feet) or more in their competition for sunlight. The different species are widely scattered. There are no forests of only one kind of tree, such as the pine forests of the middle latitudes.

Moreover, the true rain forest the green foliage of the branches and treetops spreads out like a huge umbrella to shade the forest floor. Long vines called lianas hang from the tree branches and trunks. Molds, bacteria, and insects attack fallen trees and leaves, causing them to decay rapidly in the hot, damp climate. Because the climate is hot and wet all year, the forest does not change much in appearance from one season to the next.

Along the borders of the rain forest and in places where people have cleared the forest, more light reaches the ground, and there is a dense undergrowth of shrubs, ferns, and grasses. This tangle of vegetation is what we call jungle.

Animal life in the tropical rain forest is as varied as the plant life. Monkeys and many species of birds and insects live in the treetops. Their food comes mainly from the fruits and seeds of the forest. In the forest of Africa and Asia there are large apes. Reptiles, birds and such animals as the anteater and the jaguar eat other animals or insects. Only in the grasslands bordering the forest are there many large grazing animals.

What lies ahead?

For centuries white people knew little about tropical rain forests. They considered the forests barriers to civilization. It was only recently when they begun to learn about the tropical diseases and learn how to live in a hot climate and use the forests. They have also learned much from the native people. Both the tropical and the cool rain forests have valuable timber trees. Some fertile lands could be made to grow more food and fiber crops, although trees are still the best crop for tropical soils. There are probably minerals still undiscovered in these forest lands. With modern machinery and scientific methods, people will make better use of the resources of the rain forests in the future (H. J. Critchfield, WWU, 1984).

"Let us bear in mind that whatever destroys our environment, destroys us as well."

Hazel Glenda C. Guerrero is the Community Development Editor of VOICE, Notre Dame of Dadiangas College Official Organ in 1993-1995, a Project Officer and Environmental Management Researcher in Department of Agriculture, South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City, (SOCSARGEN) Project Management Unit, Area Development Project, General Santos City. Presently, she is the School Director and Chief Operations Officer of AMA Computer College - General Santos City. You can reach her via e-mail at:Hazelleglen@mailcity.com

Dr. Vitaliana Cabatingan Guerrero is Doctor of Philosophy, Major in Educational Management, Professor in Mindanao State University and a consultant who also contributed to this article.

"Cool rain forests, like those found in the tropics, have dense growths of trees covered with mosses, ferns and vines. On the other hand, some of the trees lose their leaves during winter season. Fallen trees decay slowly. Many lie for several years, cluttering the dark forest floor. Animal life in the cool rain forests varies greatly. The rain forest on the western coast of North America has deer, elk and deers. In southwestern New Zealand there were no mammals until people from Europe brought them in."

"According to Critchfield, both the tropical and the cool rain forests have a sparse population. Many groups of people in the tropical rain forests live by hunting and fishing. They also gather fruits and nuts in the forest. Their tools are simple, and they use such weapons as bows and arrows or blowguns. They need few clothes in the hot climate. Usually the forest hunters live in small villages. They move frequently to new areas in search of food. Their houses are of wood with roofs of grass or leaves. Some tribes of Indians in Brazil have large houses in which several families live. The Pygmies of the Ituri rain forest in Africa live in small shelters and move to new encampments from time to time."