Rainforests are some of the most complex and biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, characterized by high annual rainfall, dense vegetation, and a closed, continuous upper canopy. While many people envision a single type of steamy, vine-draped jungle, the term “rainforest” actually encompasses a variety of distinct biomes categorized primarily by their latitude, altitude, and seasonal moisture patterns. Generally, these are divided into 2 broad categories: tropical rainforests, which thrive in the warm, humid belt near the equator, and temperate rainforests, which are found in cooler coastal regions at higher latitudes.

Tropical Rainforests

Tropical rainforests are the most famous of these biomes, located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. These “jewels of the Earth” maintain a consistently warm climate, with temperatures typically ranging between 68°F and 84°F year-round. Because they lack a traditional winter, the growing season is continuous, allowing for an explosion of life that accounts for over half of the world’s plant and animal species. The rainfall in these regions is staggering, often exceeding 78.74 inches annually, and is recycled through the forest via a process of rapid evaporation and transpiration. This stable environment supports iconic predators like the jaguar, a powerful feline that is an excellent swimmer and frequently hunts along riverbanks.

The Amazon, the Congo, & Southeast Asia

The “true” or equatorial evergreen rainforest is the most iconic subtype, found in the Amazon Basin, the Congo, and Southeast Asia. These forests experience almost no seasonal variation and receive heavy rain nearly every day. They are defined by a sophisticated vertical stratification, including the emergent layer of giant trees, a thick canopy that blocks most sunlight, an understory of shade-tolerant plants, and a dark, damp forest floor. This structure creates a multitude of niches for specialized wildlife, from arboreal primates to microscopic floor-dwelling fungi. Within this dense canopy, the siamang—the largest of the gibbons—uses its massive throat sac to resonate loud calls through the trees, while the great hornbill flies between fruiting trees, its massive beak specialized for consuming a variety of forest fruits.

Monsoon Forests

Further from the equator, tropical moist forests—often called monsoon forests—introduce a degree of seasonality. While they still receive high total rainfall, it is concentrated in a wet season followed by a distinct dry period. During these drier months, some tree species are deciduous, shedding their leaves to conserve water. This allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor compared to evergreen forests, often resulting in a thicker, more impenetrable understory commonly referred to as a “jungle.” These regions are home to the Asian elephant, which migrates based on water availability, and the Bengal tiger, which prowls the thicker understory that develops when sunlight reaches the forest floor during the leaf-shedding season.

Montane Rainforests

In mountainous regions of the tropics, we find montane rainforests, also known as cloud forests. Located at altitudes typically between 3,281 – 9,843 feet, these forests are cooler and frequently shrouded in mist or low-level clouds. This constant moisture allows for a proliferation of mosses, ferns, and epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads, which cover almost every available surface. The trees in cloud forests are generally shorter and more gnarled than their lowland counterparts due to the cooler temperatures and higher winds of the mountain slopes. This unique habitat is the specialized home of the mountain gorilla, a majestic primate that feeds on the abundant celery and bamboo found on the misty slopes. In the Andean cloud forests, the Andean cock-of-the-rock displays its brilliant orange plumage among the moss-covered branches to attract mates.

Tropical Dry Rainforests

Surprisingly, the category also includes tropical dry rainforests. These are found in regions with even more pronounced dry seasons that can last several months. While they still meet the rainfall criteria for a rainforest during the wet season, the vegetation has evolved extreme adaptations to survive drought. The canopy is lower and less dense than in evergreen forests, and many plants possess leathery leaves or thorns to deter herbivores and reduce moisture loss. These forests are among the most endangered, as they are often more easily cleared for agriculture than wetter types. The fauna here must be equally resilient; the Komodo dragon, for instance, thrives in the drier tropical forests of Indonesia, utilizing its keen sense of smell to track prey across the arid landscape. Similarly, the ring-tailed lemur in Madagascar’s dry forests has adapted to store fat in its tail and can derive moisture from the succulent plants common in this environment.

Mangrove Forests

At the intersection of land and sea, mangrove forests represent a specialized coastal rainforest. These trees have evolved the unique ability to thrive in brackish, salty water, and oxygen-poor soil. Their characteristic “stilt” or “prop” roots lift the main trunk above the tide and provide stability against shifting sands and crashing waves. Mangroves act as vital nurseries for marine life and serve as a natural barrier that protects inland areas from storm surges and erosion. Beneath the water’s surface, the tangled roots host the archerfish, which famously “shoots” down insects from overhanging branches with a precise jet of water, while mudskippers navigate the tidal mudflats using their pectoral fins like legs.

Flooded & Peat Swamp Forests

Flooded rainforests and peat swamp forests are specialized ecosystems where the soil is waterlogged for much of the year. In flooded forests (like the varzea and igapo of the Amazon), trees must survive being partially submerged for months during the rainy season. Peat swamp forests, meanwhile, occur when dead plant matter cannot fully decompose due to the waterlogged conditions, forming deep layers of acidic peat. These areas are massive carbon sinks but are incredibly fragile, and they host unique species adapted to the low-nutrient, acidic environment. In the Amazon’s flooded forests, the pink river dolphin navigates through submerged tree trunks to hunt fish, its flexible neck allowing it to maneuver in tight spaces. In the peat swamps of Southeast Asia, the orangutan finds refuge, swinging through the canopy to avoid the swampy floor, while the flat-headed cat—a rare feline—hunts for fish and crustaceans in the shallow, acidic waters.

Temperate Rainforests

In stark contrast to the tropical varieties, temperate rainforests are found in cooler climates, most notably along the Pacific Northwest of North America, parts of Chile, New Zealand, and Tasmania. These forests are defined by their proximity to oceans, where moist air is pushed up against coastal mountains, creating heavy rainfall or persistent fog. While they have lower species diversity than tropical forests, they boast the highest biomass per hectare on Earth, dominated by massive, long-lived conifers. Here, the American black bear is a common sight, foraging for berries and salmon. In the damp undergrowth, the Pacific banana slug, 1 of the largest land slugs in the world, slowly decomposes organic matter, playing a vital role in the forest’s nutrient cycle.

Giant Trees and Nutrient-Rich Soils

The temperate rainforest is characterized by giant trees such as Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and the iconic Redwoods. Unlike tropical forests, where decomposition is rapid and soil is nutrient-poor, the cooler temperatures of temperate rainforests slow the decay process. This results in a thick, nutrient-rich layer of organic matter on the forest floor. These forests are often filled with “nurse logs”—fallen trees that provide a moist, nutrient-dense platform for new seedlings to take root and grow. These massive trees provide habitat for the northern spotted owl, a nocturnal (active at night) predator that relies on old-growth forests for nesting. On the forest floor, among the “nurse logs,” the Olympic marmot can be found in higher elevations, while the spirit bear (a rare white variant of the black bear) roams the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, feeding on the seasonal influx of spawning salmon.

Tropical vs Temperate

The differences between these 2 primary types are profound. Tropical rainforests rely on a rapid “closed-loop” nutrient cycle where nutrients are stored in the living vegetation rather than the soil. Conversely, temperate rainforests store more nutrients in the soil and dead biomass. While tropical forests are the champions of biodiversity, temperate forests are the champions of longevity and size, with some trees living for over a thousand years and reaching heights that dwarf their tropical cousins. While tropical forests are the champions of biodiversity, hosting animals like the harpy eagle—the most powerful bird of prey in the world—temperate forests host the kea in New Zealand, the world’s only alpine parrot, showcasing how vastly different species have evolved to thrive in their respective rainy environments.

In Conclusion

Regardless of their type, all rainforests serve as critical “lungs” for the planet. They regulate global weather patterns and host species that provide the raw materials for modern medicine. However, species like the Sumatran rhino and the Javan tiger (now extinct) remind us of the fragility of these biomes. Understanding the nuances between equatorial, montane, and temperate rainforests is essential for creating effective conservation strategies that protect the unique life forms within each of these extraordinary environments.