RAINFORESTS

By Sadia Naqvi
What is meant by rainforest?
A rainforest can be described as a tall, dense jungle. The reason it is called a
“rain” forest because of the high amount of rainfall it gets per year. The
climate of a rainforest is very hot and humid so the animals and plants that
exist there have learnt to adapt to this climate. These incredible places cover
only 6% of the Earth’s surface but yet they contain more than half of the
world’s plant and animal species.
What is the importance of rainforest?
The importance of rainforest is that:
1. Adds oxygen to the air.
2. Keeps the Earth’s climate stable.
3. Gives habitat to animals and plants
4. Maintain the amount of water in air and soil.
5. Prevents soil erosion
6. Provides us with medicine
How many rainforests are there?
There are two types of rainforests.
1. Tropical Rainforest
2. Temperate Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest:
Tropical rainforests are located near the
equator, between the tropics of Cancer
and Capricorn. Tropical plants include flowering plants along with broadleaf
(deciduous) trees such as Brazil nut trees, mahogany trees, rubber trees , fig trees
and cacao trees.
These also include animals such as monkeys, jaguars sloths and tapirs, as well as a
variety 0f snakes, frogs, lizards, and other reptiles and amphibians. Many insects
thrive in the tropical rainforest biome because of the consistently warm
temperatures and high humidity.
Temperate Rainforest:
Temperate rainforests are found along some coasts
in temperate zones and are located to the north of
the Tropic of Cancer and to the south of the Tropic of
Capricorn. Temperate rainforest plants include ferns, moss and lichens. Tree species in the
temperate rainforest are mainly conifers ( evergreens with needle-like leaves ). Temperate
rainforest plant examples include Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas fir and western
red cedar. Other temperate rainforest plants include big leaf maple, red alder and black
cottonwood trees. It also include animals like black-tailed deer, elk black beers, grizzly
beers, cougars, wolves ands bobcats. Birds such as eagles, owls, woodpeckers and
crossbills characterize this ecosystem. A variety of insects, salamanders, frogs, snakes and
turtles live mainly on the forest floor of the temperate rainforest.
How can we save rainforests?
We can save rainforests by following these of the following tips:
1. Reuse and recycle wood and paper.
2. Join those organizations that help the rainforests, including the save the
rainforests foundation.
3. Laws can be strictly made such as not cutting the tree of rainforest.
4. Awareness campaigns can be opened for rainforests.
Link from where I took information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainforest