The temperature of a tropical zone is represented above 18ºC, which means that a tropical forest needs this degree of temperature to exist.
The main characteristics of tropical forests are: the presence of tall trees, the hot climate and the high rainfall. The average temperature reaches 20 ºC and it rains about 1,200 millimeters per year.
Despite supporting a huge variety of plants, the soils of tropical forests are poor. Its productivity is guaranteed by the great availability of water and high temperature. In addition, the necessary nutrients are found mostly in the biomass of the live trees themselves than in the soil.
