Tropical rainforests are complex terrestrial biomes characterized by consistently high temperatures, significant annual rainfall, and high biodiversity. Found primarily near the equator, these ecosystems maintain a stable, warm climate that allows for immense species richness. Latin America contains the largest portion of the world’s remaining tropical forests, making the region a global reservoir for genetic diversity and a major regulator of global atmospheric systems. The plant life in this area is responsible for vast carbon storage and the regulation of regional weather patterns through evapotranspiration.
Brazil: The Amazon Basin
Brazil contains the largest expanse of the Amazon rainforest, holding approximately 60% of the entire biome. This massive geographical dominance makes the Brazilian Amazon the world’s single largest repository of biodiversity and a primary component of global ecological stability. The forest stores an estimated 70 billion metric tons of carbon, which is a significant factor in mitigating worldwide climate change.
The Amazon’s immense size also drives a regional hydrological cycle, with the forest generating about half of its own rainfall through evapotranspiration. This process, where water is released into the atmosphere by plants, creates “flying rivers” that influence precipitation across a vast area of South America. The basin’s expansive river system, which includes the Amazon River, further demonstrates the scale and interconnectedness of this ecosystem. Its integrity is important not just for Brazil, but for the ecological balance of the entire continent.
Costa Rica: Neotropical Diversity
In contrast to the sheer scale of the Amazon, Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests are defined by their extraordinary concentration of life within a small area. The country occupies only about 0.03% of the world’s landmass yet contains an estimated 5% to 6% of the planet’s total biodiversity. This high density is supported by diverse microclimates, ranging from low-lying wet forests to high-altitude cloud forests perpetually shrouded in mist.
Costa Rica is globally recognized for its approach to conservation. The government has implemented a system of Payments for Environmental Services (PES), which financially rewards landowners for protecting the forest on their property. This model has contributed to the protection of over 25% of the national territory in parks and reserves, fueling a successful ecotourism industry that provides economic incentives for preservation.
Ecuador: Andean-Amazonian Intersection
Ecuador’s rainforests are unique due to their location at the convergence of the Andes Mountains and the Amazon basin. This geographical meeting point creates a complex altitudinal gradient, resulting in distinct ecological zones known as the Yungas or transitional forests.
These diverse microclimates facilitate high species richness and high rates of endemism, where species are found nowhere else on Earth. The rapid change in altitude from the cold Andean peaks to the humid Amazonian lowlands results in a swift succession of forest types, from montane cloud forest to lowland tropical wet forest.
The Tropical Andes region, which includes a portion of Ecuador, is home to nearly 28% of the world’s bird species, showcasing the richness created by this vertical overlap. This geographical complexity provides a laboratory for evolutionary diversification within a relatively compact territory.