Rainforests Environment Under Threat

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RainforestsEnvironment Under Threat
Location  Between the Tropics. Temperature  20C
to 25C, always warm and frost-free.
  Precipitation  2,000 to 10,000 mm of rain per
year.   The tropical rainforest is a hot, moist
biome where it rains all year long. Rainforests
cover 2 of the Earth's surface, or 6 of its
land mass. They house over half the plant and
animal species on Earth.
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Key features of the rainforest

• Dense canopies of vegetation form three different
  layers. The top layer or canopy contains giant
  trees that grow to 75 m (about 250 ft) or more.
  These prevent much of the sunlight from reaching
  the ground.
• The middle layer, or understory, is made up of
  vines, smaller trees, ferns, and palms. Because
  of the small amount of sunlight and rainfall
  these plants receive, they adapt easily to home
  environments as houseplants.
• The floor of the rainforest is covered with wet
  leaves and leaf litter. This material decomposes
  rapidly in the wet, warm conditions sending
  nutrients back into the soil.

Images of the rainforest
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Threats to the rainforest environment

• Logging tropical hardwoods are in great demand
  by richer countries.
• Cattle ranching a major problem in Brazil.
  Areas where logging has taken place are burned to
  clear the remaining vegetation.
• Mining some areas have rich mineral deposits.
• Oil and gas exploration and exploitation.
• New roads and towns.

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Forests and climate

• Forests help control the climate by
• Absorbing the greenhouse gas CO2 and release
  oxygen
• Releasing water into the atmosphere to create
  clouds that reflect sunlight back into space
• Regulating freshwater flow in forest areas
• Redistributing solar radiation from tropics to
  the temperate zone.

Without the forest we may have desert!
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Loss of habitat

• Destruction of the rainforests destroys the
  habitats of many species.
• We could lose many primates, and big cats as well
  as insects, reptiles and much more.
• Rainforests contain unique plants which may be
  useful as medicines.
• Biodiversity is important for the well-being of
  the planet.

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How can we help?

• We can help to prevent the destruction of
  rainforests by
• Not buying tropical hardwood products e.g.
  furniture made from teak and mahogany.
• Using only paper made from sustainable forests
• Using less oil
• Eating less hamburgers or red meat from tropical
  ranches
• Supporting sustainable development
• Not buying from companies that exploit and damage
  the rainforests.