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Rainforest Biome
Why are rainforests
important?
Rainforests actually create the rain that gives them their name.
As water evaporates from the forest back into the atmosphere,
it forms clouds above the rainforest. The clouds release the water
back as rain, which evaporates into the atmosphere, and so on
in a cycle. Rainforests
affect the rain and weather patterns in other parts of the world.
Removal of the forests can change the rainfall patterns elsewhere.
Rainforests are important for many reasons. Very importantly, the plants clean the air. By absorbing carbon dioxide they help slow down the greenhouse effect. Rainforest trees store carbon dioxide in their roots, stems, branches, and leaves. Destroying the rainforests causes carbon dioxide to be released, which makes the greenhouse effect worse.
There are many plants in the rainforests that have not yet been discovered, and there is some proof that there may be rainforest plants that could help cure many serious diseases. Many rainforest plants are already used in medicine.
Rainforests occupy
about 7 percent of the world's surface, yet are home to about
half of all plant and animal species on earth. They have been
home to some cultures for many thousands of years. They are unique
and beautiful places.
Deforestation
Rainforests are disappearing
rapidly. This is called deforestation. Almost half of all
tropical deforestation has happened in South America.
The main reasons
for destruction of rainforests are:
Farming: farmers in rainforest countries are often poor
and can't afford to buy land so traditionally they clear some
rainforest and plant crops. The soil is not rich, so they can't
keep farming the same spot. They move on and clear another space.
The rainforest disappears bit by bit.
Ranching: ranchers clear large areas of rainforest in order
to graze cattle. It doesn't cost them much to get the land, and
they continue to clear more and more rainforest and raise and
sell more cattle.
Logging: Rainforest timber is used for building, furniture, pulping for paper products. Rainforest that was chopped down can grow back over a long time, but will never have the same variety of plants and animals they once did. Many will be extinct.
The loss of the rainforests affect other parts of the earth. Scientists believe that destroying rainforests helps make the earth's temperatures warmer. Without rainforests, we will have less rain, which will affect the trees and plants that help to keep the air clean. The earth could become increasingly dry. Warmer temperatures may cause the ice caps to melt, which will make the seas higher, flooding low-lying areas.
There
are many species of animals and plants found only in specific
rainforests that will become extinct if the rainforests are completely
destroyed. For example, the endangered orangutans are found only in the
rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo.
It is estimated that about 35 species of tropical rainforest animals or plants become extinct every day.
While large animals need many hectares in which to live, there are many small creatures who occupy a small enough area to be totally wiped out by one day's bulldozing.
What can you do about it? See what other kids are doing!
Next: tropical rainforest
If you use any part of this,
acknowledge it in your bibliography like this:
Rainforest Biome
(2002). [Online],
Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
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