Exploring the Rainforest

Rainforests contain the planet's most complex ecosystem, and rainforests have a richer animal and plant life than any other type of forest. Unlike other areas in which living organisms face conflicts in the face of a hostile climate, in the rainforest organisms struggle for survival primarily against each other. Each being--whether plant, animal, insect, or microbe--has been able to develop its niche. and because there are so many species, numerous examples of specialized niches can be found. Rainforests occur in regions without major seasonal variation (although rainfall does vary during the year) and where more than 70 in. (1,800 mm) of rain fall annually. When seen from the air, the canopy appears uneven because there are trees of varied species and stages of development.

This canopy is in Costa Rica.