Final answer:
Tropical rainforests are located within 10 degrees of the equator and are exceptionally biodiverse, with stable climates that promote year-round plant growth. They receive nearly half the world's rainfall despite only covering six percent of the Earth's surface and are under threat from deforestation. These forests are essential ecological assets, often described as nature's pharmacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tropical rainforests are typically located within 10 degrees of the equator, extending toward the poles along the east side of continents. These dense and biodiverse ecosystems are critical to the health of our planet. In Africa, for example, a vast expanse of rainforest is centered on the Congo River Basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering approximately 386,000 square miles and receiving between sixty-three and seventy-eight inches of rain annually. In fact, tropical rainforests only make up about six percent of the Earth's surface but receive nearly half of the world's rainfall, highlights the immense role these biomes play in the Earth's hydrological processes.
The temperature and sunlight in tropical rainforests are stable, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 34°C (68°F to 93°F) and about 11-12 hours of sunlight per day year-round. This consistent climate fosters perpetual plant growth, in contrast to other biomes where growth is seasonal. Moreover, tropical rainforests are renowned for their unmatched biodiversity, hosting up to 50 percent of the Earth's species, and are often referred to as nature's pharmacy due to their potential in providing new medical drugs derived from their flora and fauna.
Despite their ecological importance, tropical rainforests face threats from logging and deforestation for agriculture. In the new and old tropics alike, varying rates of forest loss represent significant environmental challenges that may disrupt these sensitive ecosystems and their services to humanity.