Tropical forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. Covering just 2.5% of the planet, they are home to a staggering 50% of the world’s terrestrial plants and animals.
Compared to temperate forests, which may be dominated by half a dozen tree species, tropical rainforests can contain 480 tree species in a single hectare, attracting a greater diversity of wildlife. 1,300 species of butterfly have been documented in a single park in Peru, while the entire European continent is home to less than 400 species.