The Tropical Zone

The tropical zone extends from the equator to 23.5 degrees in latitude, north and south. Temperatures are typically hot in this zone. The three biomes found in this region include rain forests, savannahs and deserts.

Tropical rain forests have high rainfall and high temperatures throughout the year. Although rain forests are lush, the soil is nutrient-poor because frequent rains wash away the topsoil. More plant and animal species are found here than in any other biome.

A tropical savannah is a hot grassland that has a wet and dry season. A savannah covers a large region across central Africa. Tropical deserts are hot and dry. Many desert animals and plants have adapted to live in this extreme environment. The soil is nutrient-poor in both of these biomes.