Rainforests: An Overview

Introduction to Rainforests

• Rainforests are the oldest living ecosystems on Earth, dating back over 70 million years.
• They thrive on every continent except Antarctica.

Types of Rainforests

1. Temperate Rainforests

• Found in mid-latitudes, typically near cooler, coastal, mountainous regions.

2. Tropical Rainforests

• Located in warmer climates, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Characteristics of Rainforests

• Rainforests are the wettest forests on Earth, receiving up to 33 feet of rain annually.
• They cover about 6% of the Earth's surface area but house over half of the world's plant and animal species.

Biodiversity and Its Importance

• Rainforest biodiversity benefits extend beyond its boundaries.
• Plants from rainforests provide food and ingredients for everyday products and medicines.
• Approximately 70% of plants used in cancer treatments are found exclusively in rainforests.

Climate Regulation

• Rainforests help stabilize the planet's climate by:
  • Absorbing sunlight and radiation.
  • Absorbing carbon dioxide and converting it to oxygen (around 40% of the planet's breathable air).

Threats to Rainforests

• Rainforests are disappearing due to:
  • Economic inequalities.
  • Human development.
  • Demand for natural resources.
• At the current deforestation rate, rainforests may completely vanish within the next century.

Conservation Efforts

• Potential solutions to slow deforestation include:
  • Educational campaigns.
  • Sustainable logging practices.
  • Cooperation with local communities.
• These efforts aim to preserve rainforests for future generations.