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Tropical or Temperate
Two main varieties of rainforests exist: tropical and temperate. Tropical rainforests are found next to the equator and account for around two thirds of the planet's rainforests. They are moist, warm and have more diverse animals than temperate rainforests. Temperate rainforests are much cooler and are normally found in coastal areas. The leaves are shaped like needles, whereas tropical rainforest leaves are wide.
Layers
Rainforests are split into four sections. At the base is the forest floor, which receives hardly any sunlight. Insects and fungi are well suited to life at this level. The understory is the area between the forest floor and around 10 meters high. Shrubs, moss, vines, algae and small trees are found in this hot and shaded layer. The canopy acts as a roof for a rainforest, only letting around two percent of sunlight in to the lower levels of the forest. It is basically a layer of branches and leaves at the peak of large trees that can be as tall as 45 meters. The final section is the emergent layer. This contains tree tops that protrude from the canopy, which can grow to around 50 meters in height. On average there are two trees in the emergent layer for every 10,000 square meters of rainforest.
Rainfall and Rivers
Tropical rainforest can receive up to 394 inches of rainfall per year but, at the very least, will see 35 inches. A temperate rainforest gets at least 49 inches and, at most, 197 inches of rain each year. Rainforests are littered with streams and rivers that act as drains for the excess rainfall.
Seasons
Both varieties of rainforests have only two seasons. Tropical rainforest have a wet and dry season, with temperatures remaining between 21 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius all year, day or night. Temperate rainforests see short summers that are dry; the winter is long and wet.