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Norman Myers, in his book, The Primary Source, writes that "tropical rainforests are the Earth’s oldest continuous ecosystems.” Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting minimum normal annual rainfall between 1750 – 2000 mm (68-78 inches). Many of the world's rainforests are associated with the location of the monsoon through, also known as the intertropical convergence zone. The largest rainforests are found in the Amazon Basin of South America.

• provide a home to many plants and animals;
• help stabilize the world's climate;
• protect against flood, drought, and erosion;
• are a source for medicines and foods;
• support tribal people; and
• are an interesting place to visit
  

There are two types of rainforests, based on their location on the planet, tropical and temperate. Both are endangered ecosystems. Tropical rainforests have been called the "Earth's lungs," although it is now known that rainforests contribute little net oxygen additions to the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

A tropical rainforest is typically divided into four main layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area: the emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor layers.

The emergent layer contains a small number of very large trees called emergents, which grow above the general canopy, reaching heights of 45–55 m, although on occasion a few species will grow to 70–80 m tall. They need to be able to withstand the hot temperatures and strong winds in some areas. Eagles, butterflies, bats, and certain monkeys inhabit this layer.

The canopy layer contains the majority of the largest trees, typically 30–45 m tall. The densest areas of biodiversity are found in the forest canopy, a more or less continuous cover of foliage formed by adjacent treetops. The canopy, by some estimates, is home to 50 percent of all plant species, suggesting that perhaps half of all life on Earth could be found there. Epiphytic plants attach to trunks and branches, and obtain water and minerals from rain and debris that collects on the supporting plants. A quarter of all insect species are believed to exist in the rainforest canopy.

The forest floor, the bottom-most layer, receives only 2% of sunlight. Only plants adapted to low light can grow in this region. Away from riverbanks, swamps, and clearings where dense undergrowth is found, the forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation because of the low sunlight penetration. It also contains decaying plant and animal matter, which disappears quickly due to the warm, humid conditions promoting rapid decay. Many forms of fungi grow here which help decay the animal and plant waste.

Humans are the main cause of rainforest destruction or deforestation. Humans are cutting down rainforests for many reasons, including:

• wood for both timber and wood for making fires;
• agriculture for both small and large farms;
• land for poor farmers who don't have anywhere else to live;
• grazing land for cattle; and
• road construction
  

• Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can help save rainforests;
• Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down;
• Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment;
• Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife; and
• Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment.