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The landscape

Tropical rain forests are the wealthiest ecosystems in the world. Millions of species of plants and animals have been described, but every year scientists discover great numbers of new species. These forests can only grow in places where it is continuously warm and humid. The temperature must remain between 22 and 30°C both day and night all year round and the humidity must also be constantly high. This is the case only in areas on and around the equator. At Burgers' Zoo these situations are imitated very well. Thus in a year at least 2200 mm of rain falls (at night) and hot air blowers take care of steady heating as much as possible. The soil in a tropical rain forest is very nutrient-deficient. In the Bush the soil consists of primarily sand to which only very few nutrients are added. However, every year, in the winter, quite a bit of pruning and clipping takes place. Over 25,000 kg of plant material is removed and spread across the soil. This is quickly broken down by the zoobenthos, as well as by fungi and bacteria. Like that the needed nutrients are released for the roots of the plants. In addition the excrements of the animals take care of the additional fertilisation. Plants also need carbon dioxide as a building material. This is created by the rotting and breakdown of plants, as well as by the one and a half million visitors, who are breathing out. And like this another 25,000 kg of forest can grow again.

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