Tropical rain forest in Fiji

Tropical rain forest in Fiji Physical Environment: Rainfall exceeding 230 cm per year, temperature hot year-round, averaging 25°C–29°C, soils often shallow and nutrient-poor.  Location: Equatorial, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Tropical forests cover much of northern South America, Central America, western and central Africa, Southeast Asia, and various islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  Plant Life: The numbers of plant species found in tropical forests can be staggering, often reaching as many as 100 tree species per square kilometre. Leaves often narrow to “drip-tips” at the apex so that rainwater drains quickly. Many trees have large buttresses that help support their shallow root systems. Little light penetrates the canopy, the uppermost layer of tree foliage, and the ground cover is often sparse. Epiphytes, plants that live perched on trees and are not rooted in the ground, are common. Bromeliads are common epiphytes in North and South American forests. Lianas, or climbing vines, are also common.  Effects of Humans: Humans are impacting tropical forests greatly by logging and by clearing the land for agriculture. Also, many South American tropical forests are cleared to create grasslands for cattle.  Animal Life: Animal life in the tropical rain forests is diverse: insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals are well represented. Large mammals, however, are not common. Because many of the plant species are widely scattered in tropical forests, it is risky for plants to rely on wind for pollination or to disperse their seed. This means that animals are important in pollinating flowers and dispersing fruits and seeds. Mimicry and bright protective coloration, warning of bad taste or the existence of toxins, are rampant.  Effects of Humans: Logging and agriculture have had a large impact on tropical deciduous forests. The litter layer of dead, decaying leaves is much thicker than in tropical rain forests and renders the soil more fertile.