The Wonderful World of the RainforestHow important is the rainforest to humans?

The Rainforest By Natasha Cheeks

Overview What is a rainforest? The different rainforest and where they

are located The importance of the rainforest Why do we need to save the rainforest? Conclusion

What is a rainforest? A forest with heavy annual rain Earth’s oldest living ecosystems Covers only 6% of the Earth’s surface contains more than ½ of the world’s plant

and animal species Has four layers

Emergent layer Canopy layer Understory layer Forest floor

The Earth’s Rainforest

http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/where.html

Central America Located in the middle of North America and

South America at the peninsula Used to be entirely covered by rainforest Famous for its large number of tropical birds

including parrots Animals

Poison arrow frogs Toucans Hummingbirds Monarch butterfly Piranha

The Amazon Located in South America The largest rainforest on Earth Has the 2nd longest river 1/5 of plants and bird species 1/10 of mammal species Animals

Jaguar Tapir Many types of monkeys

Central Africa 2nd largest rainforest Contains areas of

High cloud forest Mangrove swamps Flooded forest

Madagascar is to the south east Animals

African Grey Parrot Chimpanzee Gorilla Scaly-tailed squirrels

Southern Asia Has many locations

Stretches from India and Burma in the west to Malaysia and the islands of Java and Borneo in the east

Is hot and humid year round Animals include:

Komodo dragon Bengal Tiger King Cobra Dawn Bat Jambu Fruit Dove

Australasia Rainforest Located in Australia, New Zealand, and New

Guinea Undergrowth is dense and lush Lies in the path of wet winds coming in from

the Pacific Ocean Animals include

Brown tree snakes Carpet python Komodo dragon Kakapo

Importance of the Rainforest Our source of many items that we use in

our homes Eat several foods from the rainforest Many medicines come from rainforest Many different beautiful plants and

animals The Earth’s living lung

Breathes in carbon dioxide and breathes out oxygen

Why Should We Save the Rainforest?

The National Wildlife Federation in 1993 listed ten reasons why we should save the rainforests:People have no right to destroy the rainforests for their own purposes.Destroying the forests may change the world's weather patterns.The loss of the forests are causing serious problems such as soil erosion and water pollution.Wood products in which the rest of the world depends may soon become scarce and more expensive.Many migrating birds common in North America depend on the rainforest habitats. The loss of the rainforest may affect these species.Cultures of the forests are losing their native lands. They have a right to live where and how they want.There are many plants that could help scientists develop new crops, medicines, and other products. We don't want to lose our knowledge of the rainforest plants, animals and other information.Rainforests are exotic and unique where strange plants and animals live which inspires many people. We can't lose this inspiration.The forests contain more than 50% of all plant and animals species in the world. Destroying the forests will destroy these species forever.So little has been researched in the forests that could provide people with many beneficial products, even a possible cure for cancer. We can't destroy what nature has given to us.

http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/projects/fourth/rainforests/environment.html

Conclusion The rainforest is the Earth’s largest

ecosystem Has four main location Is a home to many different plants and

animals Has four layers Has five different areas on the Earth Is very important to us as a human being Why would you save the rainforest?