The rainforests are home to half of the Earth's plant and animal species. ... Tropical rainforests help maintain global rain and weather patterns . Much of the water that evaporates from the trees returns in the form of rainfall. Removal of the forest can change the natural rainfall patterns.
What is special about tropical rainforest?
The tropical rainforest biome has four main characteristics: very high annual rainfall, high average temperatures, nutrient-poor soil, and high levels of biodiversity (species richness) . Rainfall: The word “rainforest” implies that these are the some of the world's wettest ecosystems.
What are the benefits of tropical rainforest?
- 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; and.
- are an interesting place to visit.
Why is the tropical rainforest the best?
Rainforests are essential to life on Earth. Not only do they provide air, water, medicine, food, and shelter to a multitude of living beings, they are also one of our best natural defenses against climate change because of their capacity to absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
What are the enemies of the rainforest?
The Amazon rain forest is facing dangers from climate change and droughts, which are leading to frequent wildfires in the ecosystem. Fires are normally rare in the rain forest, due to thick tree cover that keeps the ground cool and wet.
How are humans destroying rainforests?
Let's look at the causes. The ever-growing human consumption and population is the biggest cause of forest destruction due to the vast amounts of resources, products, services we take from it. ... Direct human causes of deforestation include logging, agriculture, cattle ranching, mining, oil extraction and dam-building .
What are 3 interesting facts about the tropical rainforest?
- There are several different types of rainforests. ...
- Rainforests cover less than 3 percent of the planet. ...
- The world's largest rainforest is the Amazon rainforest. ...
- Rainforests house more species of plants and animals than any other terrestrial ecosystem. ...
- Much of the life in the rainforest is found in the trees.
What are three characteristics of tropical rainforest?
- Very wet with over 2,000 mm of rainfall per year.
- Very warm with an average daily temperature of 28°C. The temperature never drops below 20°C and rarely exceeds 35°C.
- The atmosphere is hot and humid .
- The climate is consistent all year round. There are no seasons.
Why are rainforests in danger?
Rainforests are also threatened by climate change , which is contributing to droughts in parts of the Amazon and Southeast Asia. Drought causes die-offs of trees and dries out leaf litter, increasing the risk of forest fires, which are often set by land developers, ranchers, plantation owners, speculators, and loggers.
How does the rainforest help humans?
As well as the vivid beauty that comes with great diversity in plants and animals, rainforests also play a practical role in keeping our planet healthy. By absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing the oxygen that we depend on for our survival. The absorption of this CO2 also helps to stabilize the Earth's climate.
What would happen if there were no rainforests?
Animals, plants and humans would all face dire consequences if the Amazon rainforest vanished, experts say. ... The Amazon absorbs 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide a year (or 5% of annual emissions), which makes it a vital part of preventing climate change.
What is the largest rainforest in the world?
The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest. It's home to more than 30 million people and one in ten known species on Earth. See some of this region's splendor in our new video.
What are toucans eaten by?
Life is not all fruit and play for toucans. Predators to watch out for include forest eagles, hawks, and owls ; boas, jaguars, and margays often invade toucan nests.
What is the top predator in the world?
- Nile crocodile.
- Polar bear.
- Reticulated python.
- Snow leopard.
- South polar skua.
- Tasmanian devil.
- Tiger.
- Wolf.
Does anything eat a Jaguar?
Jaguars are at the apex of their ecosystem, meaning they have very few predators. The primary predators of jaguars are humans , who hunt them through illegal poaching activities. Humans often kill jaguars for their paws, teeth, and pelts. Lions eat Jaguars too.
What is the most endangered species in the rainforest?
- Jaguar. Amazonian jaguar is one of the endangered species of Amazon Rainforest Wildlife. ...
- Golden lion tamarin. ...
- The South American Tapir. ...
- Giant Otters. ...
- The Uakari Monkey. ...
- White-Cheeked Spider Monkey. ...
- Hyacinth Macaw. ...
- Lazy Bear.
