The importance of rainforests

They are very important as the plants of the rainforest generate much of the Earth’s oxygen. Rainforests contain about half of the existing plant and animal species in the world. They contain a third of the world’s bird species and 90% of its invertebrates. Most rainforest have over 60 million years of plant and animal species evolution that has brought about a huge variety of complex ecosystems and biodiversity.

Rainforests are often called the lungs of the planet for their role in absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and increasing local humidity.

By absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing the oxygen that human depend on for survival. The absorption of this CO2 also helps to stabilize the Earth's climate. When rainforests are chopped down and burned, the carbon stored in their wood and leaves is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Rainforests also stabilize climate, house incredible amounts of plants and wildlife, and produce nourishing rainfall all around the planet. The forests simply store water and release it in the environment when the temperatures are high by drawing water from beneath the earth surface and transpiring it into the atmosphere to form clouds. The clouds then return to the ground as precipitation thereby cooling and stabilizing the environmental temperatures.

Rainforests also help to maintain the world's water cycle by adding water to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration which creates clouds. Water generated in rainforests travel around the world; the moisture generated in the forests of Africa ends up falling as rain in the Americas.

An estimated 80% of the world’s diet originated from rainforest plants. Many food sources are still being discovered in rainforests.

Many indigenous people have been living in harmony with the rainforest for thousands of years, depending on it for their food, shelter and medicines. Actually, hundreds of rainforest plants are used in modern medicines. It is estimated that 25% of all our medicines come from plants growing in the rainforest.

Rainforests are also preventers of the soil erosion, siltation and flooding. The tree roots bind the soil together while the canopy of the forests protects the soil from the direct impact of heavy rains.

In conclusion, rainforests can:
*Help stabilize the world’s climate;
*Provide a home to many plants and animals;
*Maintain the water cycle
*Protect against flood, drought, and erosion;
*Are a source for medicines and foods;
*Support tribal people
The importance of rainforests