2. Rainforests around the world

3. Rainforests layers Tallest trees of the rainforest, over 20 ft, with the most sunlight Primary layer, home to many animals (snakes, toucans, tree frogs) Little sunlight reaches here, home to animals and mostly insects Very dark with very little plant growth

4. Rainforest facts & statistics Brazil houses 30% of the remaining tropical rain forest on Earth Amazon is home to 30% of world’s total species of plants and animals More than 50,000 sq miles of rain forest were lost between 2000 & 2005 The rain forest is nearly self-watering Release about 200 gallons of water each year Creates thick cloud cover that keeps the rainforest humid and warm 70% of anti-cancer plans are found in the rainforest

5. Deforestation The process of clearing trees from the land Forests cover about 30% of the world’s land area Rainforests in danger of vanishing in 100 years Reasons why forests are cut down: Money/need to provide for families Agriculture – need more room for crops or livestock Logging operations – provides wood and paper products Illegal loggers build roads to access more remote forests Growing urban sprawl Also caused by wildfires and overgrazing, preventing the growth of young trees

6. Environmental impact Loss of habitat for millions of species 70% of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests Climate change occurs when forest soils dry out without protection from sun-blocking trees Leads to more extreme temperature swings Water cycle of returning water vapor into the atmosphere doesn’t occur Trees absorb the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming Fewer forests means larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere—means global warming is happening faster and it’s getting more serious

7. Slash & burn agriculture Involves cutting and burning forests to create fields for farming or cattle grazing