Geographical Characteristics of the Congo Rainforest
Flora
The Congo Basin represents 70% of the African continents plant cover and makes up a large portion of Africa's biodiversity with over 1,000 tree species and 10,000 animal species. It is characterized by dense rainforest. Broad-leaved trees, such as the African Oak. Red Cedar and Mahogany form a dense top canopy, over 40 meters above the ground. Trees of different sizes (but smaller) form small canopies below the top canopy.
Trees compete for the light which means tall growth is vital. (Only 1-2% of sunlight reaches the forest floor.)
Lianus and Ficus which are strangler ferns, for example are climbers which send shoots through trees to get more sunlight.
Few plants survive on the forest floor, it is usually filled with composting leaves, moss and small ferns.
The plants depend on nutrients from composted leaves, and rotting trees which also provide shelter and breeding sites for animals.
11,000 plants in the Congo have been identified and 1,100 are found nowhere else in the world. 69 of these species are endangered tree species.
Many of the plants that thrive in the rainforest are used for medicinal purposes.
PLANT FACT: International Cancer Institutes have found 1,400 tropical forest plants with potential to fight cancer.
Trees compete for the light which means tall growth is vital. (Only 1-2% of sunlight reaches the forest floor.)
Lianus and Ficus which are strangler ferns, for example are climbers which send shoots through trees to get more sunlight.
Few plants survive on the forest floor, it is usually filled with composting leaves, moss and small ferns.
The plants depend on nutrients from composted leaves, and rotting trees which also provide shelter and breeding sites for animals.
11,000 plants in the Congo have been identified and 1,100 are found nowhere else in the world. 69 of these species are endangered tree species.
Many of the plants that thrive in the rainforest are used for medicinal purposes.
PLANT FACT: International Cancer Institutes have found 1,400 tropical forest plants with potential to fight cancer.
Some plants are........
From looking at these plants, you can see that lot's of the forests flora is very vibrant, exquisite and delicate in colour and shape.
Fauna
Many animals inhabit the Congo Rainforest, such as the Giant Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) an endangered species. Some other rainforest inhabitants are chimpanzees, elephants, pygmy hippopotami, antelopes, wild boars, buffaloes and white rhinos. There are also many species of fish, birds and reptiles.
Rainforests have an abundance of plants and animals for the following reasons......
- The canopy offers sources of food, shelter and hiding for the animals. For example, there are plants in the canopy called bromeliads that store water in their leaves. Frogs and other animals use these pockets of water for laying their eggs.
- The climate: Because there is lots of light and rain there is lots of vegetation, and the animals are able to eat the vegetation; eat the berries, nuts and use the flower. The sunlight is converted to energy by plants through the steps or process of photosynthesis. The energy supports an abundance of plants and animal species.
ANIMAL FACT: Insects can be a source of disease in these areas for example the tsetse fly, can cause severe sleeping sickness in human beings and mosquitoes infect humans with malaria and yellow fever.
Rainforests have an abundance of plants and animals for the following reasons......
- The canopy offers sources of food, shelter and hiding for the animals. For example, there are plants in the canopy called bromeliads that store water in their leaves. Frogs and other animals use these pockets of water for laying their eggs.
- The climate: Because there is lots of light and rain there is lots of vegetation, and the animals are able to eat the vegetation; eat the berries, nuts and use the flower. The sunlight is converted to energy by plants through the steps or process of photosynthesis. The energy supports an abundance of plants and animal species.
ANIMAL FACT: Insects can be a source of disease in these areas for example the tsetse fly, can cause severe sleeping sickness in human beings and mosquitoes infect humans with malaria and yellow fever.