Today tropical rainforests are disappearing. Deforestation of tropical rain forests has an impact through species extinction, the loss of animals and plants. However, this destruction can be slowed, stopped, and in some cases even reversed.
This website will talk about human action, impact and simple ways that you can help the rain forests.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Rain forests are the richest places on earth. They cover six per cent of the earth and are home to more than half the world’s animals and plants. A rain forest is a tropical forest that grows in the hot tropical regions of the world where there is always heavy rain. They take up large areas of Central and South America, West Africa and Asia and
The layers of the plants in a tropical forest.smaller areas in Australia and in Papua New Guinea. There are four layers in a rain forest the emergent layer, the canopy layer, the understory and the forest floor. Lots of animals in the rain forests spend their life on top of the trees, where fruit, flower, nuts and leaves grow. They are able to move through the canopy to search for food.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Our rain forests are in trouble. They are disappearing at the rate of more than 50 acres per minute. They are an endangered habitat. An endangered habitat is a habitat that is in danger of extinction. If the world’s tropical rain forests are to be saved from total distraction, many people believe that action must be taken now.
Humans destroy the rain forests
Housing and farming
The world’s population is increasing. People need somewhere to live and work, and they need food to eat. Big areas of rain forests have been cut down or burned to provide area for housing and farming.
Selling wood
The more people there are in the world, the more trees we need to build furniture, window-frames and doors made from tropical hardwood. Tropical rain forests lie mostly in poorer countries of the world and these countries can make a lot of money by selling wood to the world’s richer countries.
Waste and Fertilizers
The dumping of trash and human waste into rivers from cities has resulted in serious pollution in many tropical countries. In some areas, rivers are no longer safe for human use, while plant and animal life suffers.
Fertilizers and pesticides used in farming areas nearby to forests can put in danger the rainforest wildlife.
Oilfields and Mines
Rain forest areas have been cut down to clear space for oilfields and mines.
Roads
Enormous roads have been built through the forests to allow an ease access to far-away areas. Generally these roads are paid by governments and development agencies, but some are also paid by private development interests.
Animals
Animals lose their homes when trees are cut down. These animals are given no warning to move when the forest is destroyed. The cutting down of trees is not the only reason for species extinction. Many animals are traded illegally wanted for their fur, as pets, or for scientific research.
Impact
Deforestation
The effect of the deforestation changes ways of life of many indigenous people, animals and plants.
Indigenous people lose their homes and need to move and find other areas to live. The destruction of the forests has made it more difficult for them to survive by hunting and farming.
We might be causing extinction for animals and plants we do not know exist. About 35 plants species becomes extinct every day in the world's tropical rain forests. Many large mammals such as leopards and apes need miles and miles of territory to roam and have a hard time surviving in the smaller habitats they are forced into by human.
The construction of roads allows settlers, miners, loggers, scientists and even tourists to have access to areas which were once remote. Large areas of rainforest are destroyed in order to remove only a few logs. The heavy machinery used to penetrate the forests and build roads causes extensive damage.
Pollution
Forests around the world are increasingly affected by air and water pollution, produced from factories and others. Water pollution has killed fish populations in the rain forest rivers. Many indigenous people, who have depended on these fish for centuries, have become sick from the poisoned fish.
Besides the pollution caused by oil spills, toxic by-products, and mining accidents, rainforests are seriously affected by air pollution. Air pollution has been causing damage on plants, animals and people’s health.
Ecosystem and Climate change
The destruction of tropical rainforests has two severe consequences: the loss of this enormous biodiversity and the effect on our local and global climate.
Hunting and poaching cause damage to the rain forest ecosystem by removing important species from the environment. The loss of a certain species can mean extinction for many others.
Different perspectives
Hunter-gatherers
The people who live in the forest had learned from their ancestors how to survive there. They are very knowledgeable about its ways. Some of these people do not cultivate the land at all. They are hunter-gatherers, relying on their ability to kill animals with bows and arrows or blowpipes, and their knowledge of where to find roots and seeds. Hunter-gatherer people are so dependent on the forest that they have had to learn how to make sure they do not over-harvest or destroy it.
Governments
Governments in some tropical countries see the rain forests as one of their only natural resources. Money from rain forest’s products is a way for them to improve living conditions in their countries quickly. “Governments and international aid agencies for a time believed that by encouraging colonization and trans-migration schemes into rain forest areas, they could alleviate some of the poverty felt by the people of the financially poorer countries. It has since become increasingly obvious that such schemes have failed, hurting the indigenous people and the environment.”
Logging companies
Logging companies see the rainforest as resource to be mined. They take away and they not replace. They cut down big and large trees that have taken a long time to grow. According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “commercial logging companies cut down mature trees that have been selected for their timber. The timber trade defends itself by saying that this method of 'selective' logging ensures that the forest re-grows naturally and in time, is once again ready for their 'safe' logging practices.”
Scientists
Scientists believe that there are many plants and animals that are to be discovered in the rainforest. In some projects, scientists are working with tribes to learn about rain forest plants that are used for them to treat diseases. Rain forest plants have already given evidence of their ability of treating all sorts of diseases.
DRUGS DERIVED FROM RAINFOREST PLANTS
Drug
Origin
Use
Quinine
cinchona tree (S. America)
treat malaria
Neostigmine
Calabar bean (Africa)
used to treat glaucoma and provides a blueprint for synthetic insecticides
Novacaine, cocaine
coca plant (South America)
local anesthetic; cocaine served as a blue print for less toxic, less addictive anesthetics
Turbocuarine
curare liana (America)
Originally used by natives to poison arrow tips. Muscle relaxant for surgery; to treat muscle disorders like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Cannot be synthesized in the lab.
vincristine, vinblastine
rosy periwinkle (Madagascar)
pediatric leukemia, Hogkin's disease
Cortisone
wild yams (Central America)
active ingredient in birth control pills
Source: http://rainforests.mongabay.com/10drugs.htm
My reflection
In my opinion is humans must share the earth with all plants and animals, if not it will result in the continued extinction of many species. It would be a sad world without the beauty of animals and plants. I think it is important for kids to learn about rainforests, its importance and what we are doing to it, so we can make a difference.
How can we help?
The loss of the world’s rain forest is a serious problem, but the situation is not hopeless. Each of us can help by:
1. Care and learn about simple things that will help you avoid being part of the problem.
· Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to save resources.
· Teach people to respect nature and the environment. Go on hikes, or camping. Help plant a tree or build a birdhouse. Recycle everything you can: newspapers, cans, glass bottles and jars, aluminum foil, motor oil, scrap metal, etc.
· Use cold water in the washer whenever possible.
· Store food in re-usable containers, instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
· Take unwanted, re-usable items to a charitable organization or thrift shop.
· Don't leave water running unnecessarily.
· Turn your heat down, and wear a sweater.
· Use the stairs instead of the elevator on trips of less than three floors.
· Avoid buying food or household products in plastic or styrofoam containers whenever possible.
· Buy paper products instead of plastic if you must buy "disposables."
· Buy locally-grown food and locally-made products when possible.
· Look for items that benefit the rainforests. Some companies sell products such as ice cream, candy, cereal, etc, that uses ingredients found only in the rainforests. Sometimes the companies donate some of the profits from these products to the rainforests conservations programs.
· Don't buy products made from endangered animals.
· Recycle office and computer paper, cardboard, etc.
· Use scrap paper for informal notes to yourself and others.
· Start a compost pile.
· Put up birdfeeders, birdhouses, and birdbaths.
· Pull weeds instead of using herbicides.
· Use only organic fertilizers.
· Learn about conservation issues in your community or state... write your legislators and let them know where you stand on the issues.
2. Protecting
· Join a conservation organization.
· Volunteer to help protect the rainforests.
· Participate in raising money to support the rainforests.
Bibliography
1. Entwistle-Rowland, Theodore, Our world jungles and rainforests, 1987, ISBN:0-85078-8749, 574.52642ROW
2. Goodman, Billy, The rainforest, 1991, ISBN:0-316-32019-6, 574.52642.GOO
3. Batista, Lynne, Hardie, Discover rainforests, 1992, ISBN:1-56173-426-8, 577.34BAP
4. Wood, Jenny. Jungles.1991. ISBN:0-590-74257-4.577.34WOO
5. Knapp, Brian. Caring for rainforests .1991. ISBN:0-7500-0861 . 574.5264KNA
6. www.gowilder.org.uk/geog/E%20Jones
7. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/1007.htm
8. http://www.savetherainforest.org/savetherainforest_006.htm
Humans destroy the rain forests
Housing and farming
The world’s population is increasing. People need somewhere to live and work, and they need food to eat. Big areas of rain forests have been cut down or burned to provide area for housing and farming.
Selling wood
The more people there are in the world, the more trees we need to build furniture, window-frames and doors made from tropical hardwood. Tropical rain forests lie mostly in poorer countries of the world and these countries can make a lot of money by selling wood to the world’s richer countries.
Waste and Fertilizers
The dumping of trash and human waste into rivers from cities has resulted in serious pollution in many tropical countries. In some areas, rivers are no longer safe for human use, while plant and animal life suffers.
Fertilizers and pesticides used in farming areas nearby to forests can put in danger the rainforest wildlife.
Oilfields and Mines
Rain forest areas have been cut down to clear space for oilfields and mines.
Roads
Enormous roads have been built through the forests to allow an ease access to far-away areas. Generally these roads are paid by governments and development agencies, but some are also paid by private development interests.
Animals
Animals lose their homes when trees are cut down. These animals are given no warning to move when the forest is destroyed. The cutting down of trees is not the only reason for species extinction. Many animals are traded illegally wanted for their fur, as pets, or for scientific research.
Impact
Deforestation
The effect of the deforestation changes ways of life of many indigenous people, animals and plants.
Indigenous people lose their homes and need to move and find other areas to live. The destruction of the forests has made it more difficult for them to survive by hunting and farming.
We might be causing extinction for animals and plants we do not know exist. About 35 plants species becomes extinct every day in the world's tropical rain forests. Many large mammals such as leopards and apes need miles and miles of territory to roam and have a hard time surviving in the smaller habitats they are forced into by human.
The construction of roads allows settlers, miners, loggers, scientists and even tourists to have access to areas which were once remote. Large areas of rainforest are destroyed in order to remove only a few logs. The heavy machinery used to penetrate the forests and build roads causes extensive damage.
Pollution
Forests around the world are increasingly affected by air and water pollution, produced from factories and others. Water pollution has killed fish populations in the rain forest rivers. Many indigenous people, who have depended on these fish for centuries, have become sick from the poisoned fish.
Besides the pollution caused by oil spills, toxic by-products, and mining accidents, rainforests are seriously affected by air pollution. Air pollution has been causing damage on plants, animals and people’s health.
Ecosystem and Climate change
The destruction of tropical rainforests has two severe consequences: the loss of this enormous biodiversity and the effect on our local and global climate.
Hunting and poaching cause damage to the rain forest ecosystem by removing important species from the environment. The loss of a certain species can mean extinction for many others.
Different perspectives
Hunter-gatherers
The people who live in the forest had learned from their ancestors how to survive there. They are very knowledgeable about its ways. Some of these people do not cultivate the land at all. They are hunter-gatherers, relying on their ability to kill animals with bows and arrows or blowpipes, and their knowledge of where to find roots and seeds. Hunter-gatherer people are so dependent on the forest that they have had to learn how to make sure they do not over-harvest or destroy it.
Governments
Governments in some tropical countries see the rain forests as one of their only natural resources. Money from rain forest’s products is a way for them to improve living conditions in their countries quickly. “Governments and international aid agencies for a time believed that by encouraging colonization and trans-migration schemes into rain forest areas, they could alleviate some of the poverty felt by the people of the financially poorer countries. It has since become increasingly obvious that such schemes have failed, hurting the indigenous people and the environment.”
Logging companies
Logging companies see the rainforest as resource to be mined. They take away and they not replace. They cut down big and large trees that have taken a long time to grow. According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “commercial logging companies cut down mature trees that have been selected for their timber. The timber trade defends itself by saying that this method of 'selective' logging ensures that the forest re-grows naturally and in time, is once again ready for their 'safe' logging practices.”
Scientists
Scientists believe that there are many plants and animals that are to be discovered in the rainforest. In some projects, scientists are working with tribes to learn about rain forest plants that are used for them to treat diseases. Rain forest plants have already given evidence of their ability of treating all sorts of diseases.
DRUGS DERIVED FROM RAINFOREST PLANTS
Drug
Origin
Use
Quinine
cinchona tree (S. America)
treat malaria
Neostigmine
Calabar bean (Africa)
used to treat glaucoma and provides a blueprint for synthetic insecticides
Novacaine, cocaine
coca plant (South America)
local anesthetic; cocaine served as a blue print for less toxic, less addictive anesthetics
Turbocuarine
curare liana (America)
Originally used by natives to poison arrow tips. Muscle relaxant for surgery; to treat muscle disorders like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Cannot be synthesized in the lab.
vincristine, vinblastine
rosy periwinkle (Madagascar)
pediatric leukemia, Hogkin's disease
Cortisone
wild yams (Central America)
active ingredient in birth control pills
Source: http://rainforests.mongabay.com/10drugs.htm
My reflection
In my opinion is humans must share the earth with all plants and animals, if not it will result in the continued extinction of many species. It would be a sad world without the beauty of animals and plants. I think it is important for kids to learn about rainforests, its importance and what we are doing to it, so we can make a difference.
How can we help?
The loss of the world’s rain forest is a serious problem, but the situation is not hopeless. Each of us can help by:
1. Care and learn about simple things that will help you avoid being part of the problem.
· Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to save resources.
· Teach people to respect nature and the environment. Go on hikes, or camping. Help plant a tree or build a birdhouse. Recycle everything you can: newspapers, cans, glass bottles and jars, aluminum foil, motor oil, scrap metal, etc.
· Use cold water in the washer whenever possible.
· Store food in re-usable containers, instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
· Take unwanted, re-usable items to a charitable organization or thrift shop.
· Don't leave water running unnecessarily.
· Turn your heat down, and wear a sweater.
· Use the stairs instead of the elevator on trips of less than three floors.
· Avoid buying food or household products in plastic or styrofoam containers whenever possible.
· Buy paper products instead of plastic if you must buy "disposables."
· Buy locally-grown food and locally-made products when possible.
· Look for items that benefit the rainforests. Some companies sell products such as ice cream, candy, cereal, etc, that uses ingredients found only in the rainforests. Sometimes the companies donate some of the profits from these products to the rainforests conservations programs.
· Don't buy products made from endangered animals.
· Recycle office and computer paper, cardboard, etc.
· Use scrap paper for informal notes to yourself and others.
· Start a compost pile.
· Put up birdfeeders, birdhouses, and birdbaths.
· Pull weeds instead of using herbicides.
· Use only organic fertilizers.
· Learn about conservation issues in your community or state... write your legislators and let them know where you stand on the issues.
2. Protecting
· Join a conservation organization.
· Volunteer to help protect the rainforests.
· Participate in raising money to support the rainforests.
Bibliography
1. Entwistle-Rowland, Theodore, Our world jungles and rainforests, 1987, ISBN:0-85078-8749, 574.52642ROW
2. Goodman, Billy, The rainforest, 1991, ISBN:0-316-32019-6, 574.52642.GOO
3. Batista, Lynne, Hardie, Discover rainforests, 1992, ISBN:1-56173-426-8, 577.34BAP
4. Wood, Jenny. Jungles.1991. ISBN:0-590-74257-4.577.34WOO
5. Knapp, Brian. Caring for rainforests .1991. ISBN:0-7500-0861 . 574.5264KNA
6. www.gowilder.org.uk/geog/E%20Jones
7. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/1007.htm
8. http://www.savetherainforest.org/savetherainforest_006.htm
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