Tropical evergreen forests are dense forests found in regions that receive more than 200 cm of rainfall annually with high temperatures throughout the year. These forests are located near the equator in places like the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, Western Ghats in India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Trees in these forests do not shed their leaves all at once, so the forest always appears green.
Tropical evergreen forests require more than 200 cm of annual rainfall to thrive.
Trees in these forests do not shed their leaves all at once, keeping the forest green year-round.
The forests have a multilayered canopy structure — emergents, canopy, understorey, and ground layer.
In India, they are found in the Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and northeastern states.
Ebony, mahogany, and rosewood are the most commercially important trees of these forests.
The Amazon Basin in South America is the world's largest tropical evergreen forest.
These forests are among Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems and are called biodiversity hotspots.
High temperature (above 22°C) and year-round humidity are essential conditions for these forests.
Tropical evergreen forests thrive where annual rainfall exceeds 200 cm and temperatures remain high (above 22°C) throughout the year with no distinct dry season. High humidity and abundant sunlight drive rapid plant growth. These conditions are found near the equator between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. In India, the Western Ghats, northeastern states, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands receive such heavy rainfall and host these forests.
Globally, tropical evergreen forests are found in three major regions: the Amazon Basin in South America (the world's largest), the Congo Basin in Central Africa, and the Southeast Asian and South Asian region. In India, they occur in: (1) Western Ghats — especially in Kerala, Karnataka, and parts of Tamil Nadu; (2) Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal; (3) parts of Assam and other northeastern states. These Indian forests form part of one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
Tropical evergreen forests have a multilayered or multi-storeyed canopy. The tallest trees (emergents) may reach 45–60 metres, forming the top layer. Below them are smaller trees, then shrubs, and finally the ground layer. Because the canopy is so dense, very little sunlight reaches the forest floor. Trees do not shed their leaves simultaneously — different trees shed and regrow leaves at different times — so the forest always stays green. The forest floor is covered with decomposing leaves and has rich, moist soil.
Tropical evergreen forests are the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. They house thousands of species of plants, animals, insects, and birds. Important tree species found in Indian tropical evergreen forests include: Ebony (Diospyros), Mahogany (Swietenia), Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia), Iron Wood, and various species of palms and ferns. These trees have hard, durable timber with high commercial value. The forests also support rare animals like the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, hornbills, and Andaman sea eagles.
Tropical evergreen forests provide valuable timber (ebony, mahogany, rosewood) used in furniture and musical instruments. They are a source of medicinal plants, rubber, and fruits. However, these forests face serious threats from logging, agricultural expansion, and climate change. Deforestation disrupts the water cycle and contributes to global warming. In India, these forests are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and several are designated as biosphere reserves, such as the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
A tropical evergreen forest is a dense forest found in regions with annual rainfall above 200 cm and high temperatures throughout the year. Trees do not shed their leaves all at once, so the forest remains green all year.
In India, tropical evergreen forests are found in the Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the northeastern states like Assam.
Ebony, mahogany, and rosewood are three important trees found in tropical evergreen forests in India.
Tropical evergreen forests are always green because different trees shed and regrow their leaves at different times throughout the year, so there is never a period when all trees are leafless simultaneously.
Tropical evergreen forests have a multilayered canopy structure consisting of tall emergent trees at the top, a main canopy layer, an understorey of smaller trees and shrubs, and a ground layer of herbs and decomposing matter.
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