What is the difference between forest and rainforest

The Amazon rainforest itself is home to around 40, plant species, nearly 1, bird species, 3, types of fish, species of mammals, and 2. A new plant or animal species is found in the rainforest approximately every two days. They also absorb lots of solar radiation, helping to stabilize temperatures around the world. August 20, September 3, Brette Warshaw Feb 27, Brette Warshaw Apr 17, I'm something of an expert when it comes to the forests in Costa Rica, so come with me to find out!

A rainforest is a tropical forest with an annual rainfall of inches of more with trees forming a canopy. There are numerous numbers of epiphytes a plant that grows on another plant but it is not a parasitic on the trees. In Costa Rica the rainforest is typically on the coast or in lower elevation and it is teaming with animals. A cloud forest is a type of rainforest but the altitude is usually much higher, somewhere in the range of 3, to 8, feet.

There is an overwhelming number of epiphytes among all the larger trees. If you look up it is hard to see the sky through the canopy of trees fighting for the light. It is almost always misty, thus the name cloud forest as it looks like you are in a cloud. One of the key differences between cloud forests and rainforests has to do with the elevation of the forest itself - that means how high it is above sea level.

Rainforests are located at lower elevations, and as a result, they tend to be much warmer, especially during the dry season. Cloud forests, on the other hand, are usually located at much higher elevations, and are much cooler.

This difference in temperature contributes to the mist and fog that is often visible in cloud forests, as the milder temperatures slow the evaporation process. However, despite being a little cooler than rainforests, cloud forests are very humid. Elevation isn't the only factor that separates cloud forests from rainforests. The lay of the land, also known as the topography, plays a crucial role in defining the microclimates of these beautiful forests.

Rainforests tend to cover large expanses of land with little change in elevation, providing consistent conditions in terms of temperature, humidity and precipitation. Cloud forests, on the other hand, often feature dramatic shifts between the highest peaks and the lowest valleys, contributing to the accumulation of rainwater and atmospheric moisture.

Another key difference between cloud forests and rainforests is the type of rivers that flow through them. Rainforests tend to have larger, slower rivers with heavy silt beds, while the rivers of cloud forests tend to be faster, shallower and clearer with rocky beds. The moisture that comes from the rivers, combined with the higher altitude, creates additional condensation that leads to the formation of the fog and mist that make cloud forests so beautiful.

When it comes to visiting these lush jungles, it doesn't really matter if you choose to spend time in a cloud forest or a rainforest - Costa Rica has plenty of both! Pura Vida Newsletter - Sign Up. Advertise with Us. Contact Us. About Us. Top Posts. Recent Posts. April 25, by Javi the Frog.

Let's start with the both definitions and a photo from each: Rainforest hike in Matapalo next to a Strangler Fig Tree. Monteverde Cloud Forest in the clouds. Guanacaste Escape Adventure Tour. See Itinerary. Looking over the canopy of Monteverde Cloudforest. Hiker sitting on rock in river at Corcovado National Park. Best Hotels in Costa Rica. Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort.

Check Price. Punta Islita, Autograph Collection. Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge. Paradise Hot Springs. Sunset over the rainforest at Corcovado National Park. Have Something to Say? Would you like to share anything?

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Beautiful places await you in Costa Rica. Pura Vida! Temperate rainforests are located to the north of the Tropic of Cancer and to the south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Both types of rainforests boast the presence of epiphytes — plants whose roots if present do not touch the ground. While they are not considered parasites, epiphytes frequently make their homes on other plants, such as trees. Both temperate and tropical rainforests have epiphytic plants.

Temperate rainforest epiphytes are mainly ferns, moss and lichen, while tropical rainforest epiphyte species include orchids and bromeliads. Epiphytes give rainforests their jungle-like appearance. When comparing and contrasting temperate and tropical rainforests, it is important to consider the amount of rain they receive. While temperate rainforest precipitation is approximately to inches of rain per year , tropical rainforest precipitation may be up to inches of rain per year.

The tropical rainforest climate is hotter than that of the temperate rainforest. Temperatures average between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity levels in the tropical rainforest biome range from 70 percent to 90 percent. This warm climate causes dead organic matter to decompose extremely fast, so the soil layer in the tropical rainforest is very thin and devoid of nutrients. The temperate rainforest climate experiences temperatures that rarely fall below freezing and that typically range no higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

The consistently cooler temperatures of the temperate rainforest slow down decomposition, creating a very large layer of nutrient-filled soil and dead organic matter. Countries that experience this temperate rainforest climate include parts of Canada and the United States, as well as Chile, New Zealand and Norway.