jungles

A jungle is a dense, tangled area of vegetation in tropical forests. It is characterized by thick ground cover, vines, and shrubs that can obscure the forest floor and hinder movement. The term is not a formal biome category; it describes a landscape where light, moisture, and disturbance promote vigorous understory growth.

Jungles occur in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, especially where rainfall is high. They often form along river valleys, floodplains, or coastlines, and in areas with seasonal rains. The exact plant mix varies by region, but jungles commonly feature a dense understory of lianas, vines, and shrubs that tolerate low light.

Ecologically, jungles host high biodiversity. The dense structure supports many plant species and a variety of insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Forest layering—emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor—creates many niches. The abundance of vines and epiphytes adds complexity, while the proximity of vegetation promotes rapid ecological processes but limited visibility for observers.

Human activities such as logging, agriculture, and development threaten jungle ecosystems through deforestation and fragmentation. Conservation efforts aim to preserve habitats, protect biodiversity, and sustain ecosystem services such as flood control and climate regulation. Jungles also hold cultural significance for Indigenous communities and remain important for ecological research.

The word jungle derives from the Hindi and Urdu jangal, from Sanskrit jangala meaning wilderness or forest. In common usage it describes densely vegetated tropical areas and is sometimes used loosely for any thick, tangled vegetation.