They say that there are even some undiscovered species hiding in there, maybe one could help us cure cancer. According to Treehugger, “The Amazon Rainforest, one of the largest and most diverse ecosystem on the planet, has been a virtual treasure-trove for ambitious biologists aiming to uncover new species,” (Stephen Messenger, Amazon Rainforest teeming with Life). The Amazon consists of different layers because of the amount of sunlight and water each plant needs. Large trees create a layer of leaves blocking most of the sunlight from filtering in. There is a variety of underbrush and plants that require water but not a lot of sun.
Tropical forests refer to a very wet place which experiences heavy rainfall either throughout the year or seasonally. These forests are usually located near the equator where there is an abundance of sunlight and warmth. The temperatures here are usually uniformly high registering between 20 to 35°C. As a result of the high rainfall and sunlight, tropical forests are evergreen all year round (WWF, 2016). Besides beautifying the area its located in with greenery, tropical forests have many other key roles in this globe.
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It covers 1.4 billion acres. Majority of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil, but it is also in the surrounding countries. Within the Amazon rainforest, 10% of the world’s known species live and 20% of the world’s bird species. There are around 2.5 million different insects and over 40,000 different species.
The rainforest helps maintain and regulate the continuous recycling of water that filter to the rivers, and lakes without this it would be more droughts, it supports air quality and helps trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce H2O. It also provides wood, fiber and fuel and it is also important to indigenous communities supplying fresh water, wild foods,wild fisheries and wood for fire and building. People who live near the rainforest also hold a somewhat cultrue or spiritual bond giving them a sense of
Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, and how it affects its species The Amazon rainforest houses at least 146 000 of the world’s known species. Flora and fauna included, this accounts for a staggering tenth of all forms of life currently existing on planet earth. It represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests, and spans across 5.5 million square kilometres of the South American continent. The rainforest is also the biggest natural “lung” of the earth, and is responsible for at least 20% of the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen all across the globe. The same percentage of the world’s freshwater reserves can be found in the Amazon River basin alone.
65% of this deforestation has been because of cattle ranching. Nearly 40 million acres of rainforest are cut down per minute, this is showing to us that deforestation is taking away lots of animals and insects habitats and homes which is devastating. FUN FACTS - The Amazon rainforest is home to 10% of the known species in the world. - There are over 40,000 different plant species and approximately 2.5 million insect species in the Amazon rainforest. - There are approximately 3000 fruits that grow in the rainforest that are edible.
Amidst the world’s most biologically varied ecosystems, the tropical rainforests in Borneo are home to many animal and plant species, including gibbons, Orang-utans, sun bears, and more. The rainforests are also home to many endangered animals. The forests in Borneo are greatly endangered, which can have many negative effects on animals and humans alike. One reason
Rainforest Rainforest contains approximately two-third of the world’s plant and animal species. It has one of the world’s most spectacular ecosystem. The name ‘rain’ forest, indicates that it receives high rain fall throughout the year. Not limited to that, the trees also release water to the atmosphere by transpiration, forming dense clouds that surround the forest. Hence, even on non-raining days, the forest remains warm and humid.
A rainforest is called so because of the high amount of rainfall it receives during a year. As per the climate of the rainforest it is very hot and humid for which the formation of the rain through evaporation takes place intensely causing rainfall frequently. In it, the growth of the vegetation is densely populated with a number of tall trees and plants. Rainforest covers only six percent of the earth surface, but is found to contain more than half of the world’s plants and animal species. As it is extremely hot and humid, animals and plants got to adopt to such kind of climate.
Tropical forests are considered the richest forest on earth because of high number of biological communities that home of a large number of biodiversity (Baraloto et al, 2003). These forests provide ecosystem services such as species conservation, soil erosion prevention and habitat preservation of plants and animals (Armenteras et al 2009). Over-exploitation of these forest has resulted the rapid loss of forests cover which recognized as one of the environmental and economic problems around world (Mani and Parthasarathy 2006). Tropical forests are declining at alarming rates globally, reducing annually by 1-4% of their current area (Laurance 1999). The relative increased of anthropogenic pressures had led to agricultural expansion and over grazing of livestock (Anitha et al 2010).