Central and South American (the Amazon Rainforest, the Iwokrama Forest in Guyana, and the Costa Rican Rainforest)
Africa (Cameroon, Zaire, Congo, Rwanda)
Asia hectares of forest in the world, of which about 25 percent is tropical rainforest."
The rainforest is full of diversity when it comes to the plants and animals that inhabit it, many of them are found no where else on Earth. These species have extremely valuable medical propertiesÉ the only known cure for certain diseases come from species of the rainforest.
As an example of the rainforestÕs diversity, "a single hectare in Kenya's Kakamega Forest may host between 100 and 150 different tree species, compared to only about 10 different species in the trees and plants. The rainwater of the forest is recycled by evaporation. Clouds above the forest's canopy help reflect sunlight which keeps temperatures within the forest to remain more stable.
Although rainforests take vast amounts of time to regenerat e, young forests are more effective at removing car r being rainforest soil, crops do not grow well in it. When forests are cut down, the soil erodes quickly and soon only a dry desert remains.
Humans also inhabit the rainforests. Most of these people are indigenous, or Indian. It is estimated that there are over 1,000 or more indigenous groups around the world, but they are also becoming extinct. "In 1900, Brazil had one million Indians. Today, there are fewer than 200,000 in the Amazon." (Stevenson Press, 1996)
Rainforests are not all the same. Differences in temperature, rainfall, height above sea level and other factors produce different kinds of rainforest: which are within the tropics but further away from the Equator. In these forests, the trees are smaller, the canopy is less dense, and so more light reaches the forest floor. As a result, many species of plant are found in the undergrowth.
The cause of the destruction of the rainforest was put very simply by the Forest Alliance of British Columbia (1996): "The global population years, particularly in developing countries. World population is expected to reach ten billion by 2050." Because the number of people living on the planet increases every year, the number of forest products needed also increases, forcing temperate and tropical rainforests to be cut down.
Almost half of all tropical deforestation has occurred in South America, although many people have been misinformed and believe Brazil to be highest.
"The rainforests of the world are disappearing at a rat e of 80 acres per minute, day and nightÉ Émajor climatic and other environmental changes will occur if this continues." (Costa Rica Rainforests Outward Bound School, 1996) The destruction of the rainforests cause carbon dioxide to be released, which in turn allows the greenhouse effect to occur. The greenhouse e were three major causes of destruction to the rainforest: farming, ranching, and logging.
Farmers in rainforest countries are often poor and can't afford to buy land. Instead, these farmers clear rainforest land to grow their crops. Because tropical rainforest soil is so poor in nutrients, farmers cannot reuse the same land year after year. In following years, farmers just clear more land, destroying the forest piece by piece.
Ranching also causes destruction of the rainforests. Ranchers clear large areas of rainforest to become pastures for their cattle. This land does not cost them very much, so they can sell cattle at low prices. Because it is very profitable, ranchers continue to clear rainforest land so they can raise and sell more rainforests is logging. Trees from the rainforest are used for building houses, making furniture, and providing pulp for paper products, such as newspapers and magazines. Rainforest that was chopped down can grow back over time, but they will never have the same variety of plants and animals they once did.
The Amazon rainforest still remains as it was years ago, with less destruction occurring than in many other forests, because it is very large and remote. But the Amazon may not remain so p ceful for long. Transnational corporations are now targeting the Amazon and the other rainforests because of the latest problem of in rainforest destruction: Greed.
Corporations have convinced many rainforest countries that it would improve their economies by allowing the companies to use the land, and now these countries economies have become dependent on it.
Oil companies often attempt to trick and bribe the Indians into signing over to them the rights of the land. But the people have begun to fight back, for example: "Occidental PetroleumÕs use of coercion to get the native communities to sign away land rights violates Ecuadorian and international law p petroleum needs of the U.S. for thirteen days.
The rainforests are disappearing rapidly, and mainly for correctable problemsÉ that should have been corrected years ago.
"Tropical rainforests once covered more than 14 percent of the EarthÕs land areaÉ they now amount to less than 6 percent." (Tropical Rainforest Coalition, 1996)
Worldwide boycotts are the most effective ways of stopping rainforest destruction. Boycotting fast food restaurants that serve hamburgers that came from tropical rainforests can be harvested without causing damage to the great variety of plants and animals that live there. "The key is careful planning, sensitive harvesting, and appropriate silvicultural regimes to ensure healthy new forests are regenerated." (Forest Alliance of British Columbia, 1996)
One could help prevent destruction by not buying furniture products made from rosewoo to become more involved with protection of the rainforests, it is possible to adopt acres of rainforest land. "For only $45, you can "adopt" one acre of rainforest. Your contribution funds land acquisition, legal fees, and security costs to ensure that acre will be protected as part of a designated land preserve." (Tropical Rainforest Coalition, 1996) (See Appendix)
Ecotourism programs are available for those who adopt so that they may see their land and experience the true beauty of the forests.
Tourism itself aids in protecting the rainforest, for example: "According to Guatemala's Minister of Culture, ecotourist traffic has kept away poachers, illegal wood harvesters and burners, and drug-runners with secret air strips in the north jungle. (Rembert, 1996)
As mentioned earlier, boycotts can really hurt their actions if their customers show concern.
Although it appears as though everyone can help protect the forests, in order for their long-term existence, the local people who are used to burning and cultivating, logging, and hunting must learn the alternatives to the traditional, destructive occupations.
"Ecology is not about saving a tree here and a river there; rather, it is about the complex system that governs how things work together." (Hayes , 1996) "Both temperate and tropical rainforests are important, if we want to protect them, we must learn to use them with care. We must understand how forest ecosystems work, and how our everyday decisions effect their well-being." (Forest Alliance of Bri
750 species of trees
125 species of mammals
400 species of birds
100 species of reptiles
60 species of amphibians
150 species of butterflys
and over 50,000 different species of insects
INVESTIGATION QUESTIONS
1.In which countries would you find rainforests?
2.Why are rainforests important?
3.Can you name three different ways in which rainforests are being destroyed?
4.What can be done about this destruction?