RAIN FORESTS

What is a rain forest? What is a rain forest? A forest region located in the Tropical Zone with a heavy concentration of different species of broad leaf trees A forest region located in the Tropical Zone with a heavy concentration of different species of broad leaf trees Over half of the world's estimated 10 million species of plants, animals, and insects live in the tropical rainforests Over half of the world's estimated 10 million species of plants, animals, and insects live in the tropical rainforests

Rain Forest Locations

RESOURCES IN THE RAIN FOREST OXYGEN OXYGEN FOODS FOODS MEDICINE MEDICINE LUMBER LUMBER

“Lungs of Our Planet”  20 % of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rain Forest.  Rain forests continuously recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Foods and the rain forest At least 80% of the developed world's diet originated in the tropical rain forest. At least 80% of the developed world's diet originated in the tropical rain forest. At least 3000 fruits are found in the rain forests; of these, only 200 are now in use in the Western World. At least 3000 fruits are found in the rain forests; of these, only 200 are now in use in the Western World.

Foods

Medicine and the rain forest The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rain forest. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rain forest. 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. Less than 1% of the tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists. Less than 1% of the tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.

Medicinal Plants

REASONS FOR DEFORESTATION

Logging

Clearing land for agriculture

Cattle Ranching

Building Roads

POPULATION GROWTH IN BRAZIL MORE THAN ½ OF THE RAIN FOREST IS LOCATED IN BRAZIL. MORE THAN ½ OF THE RAIN FOREST IS LOCATED IN BRAZIL. ESTIMATED POPULATION IN BRAZIL WAS 173 MILLION IN 2000 BUT IS EXPECTED TO REACH 200 MILLION BY ESTIMATED POPULATION IN BRAZIL WAS 173 MILLION IN 2000 BUT IS EXPECTED TO REACH 200 MILLION BY SOME DEVELOPERS ARE BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO THE RAINFOREST TO ADD HOUSING FOR THE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE SOME DEVELOPERS ARE BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO THE RAINFOREST TO ADD HOUSING FOR THE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE

Rain forest from Space (1975)

Rain forest from Space (1992) Rain forest from Space (1992)

Rain Forest Destruction Global Rates of Destruction Global Rates of Destruction 149 acres (60 hectares) per minute 149 acres (60 hectares) per minute 214,000 acres (86,000 hectares) per day: an area larger than New York City 214,000 acres (86,000 hectares) per day: an area larger than New York City 78 million acres (31 million hectares) per year: an area larger than Poland 78 million acres (31 million hectares) per year: an area larger than Poland

The Disappearing Rain Forests Rain forests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6%. Rain forests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6%. Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rain forest deforestation. Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rain forest deforestation.

IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION GLOBAL WARMING DUE TO HIGHER CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE GLOBAL WARMING DUE TO HIGHER CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT MAY HOLD MEDICAL CURES ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT MAY HOLD MEDICAL CURES

DEBT-FOR-NATURE SWAP DEBT-REDUCING DEAL WHEREIN AN ORGANIZATION AGREES TO PAY OFF A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT DEBT IN RETURN FOR GOVERNMENT PROTECTION OF A CERTAIN PORTION OF RAIN FOREST. DEBT-REDUCING DEAL WHEREIN AN ORGANIZATION AGREES TO PAY OFF A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT DEBT IN RETURN FOR GOVERNMENT PROTECTION OF A CERTAIN PORTION OF RAIN FOREST.

Turn to page 120 in Desk Atlas Make a T Chart on your paper Make a T Chart on your paper Read the reasons given to you about not destroying the Amazon Rainforest. Summarize each point and list the types of people that would fall under this Point of View. (Geographers, Natives, etc.) Read the reasons given to you about needing to use the Amazon Rainforest. Summarize each point and list the types of people that would fall under this Point of View. (Government, Farmers, etc.) Using your own summaries, and the graphs shown, choose a side that you would support. Write a short summary of your point of view.

Point of View Reflection Pick one of the point of view: Pick one of the point of view: 1) Animal in the Rainforest 2) Scientist researching medicine for cancer 3) Brazilian official that needs to develop resources such as housing for increasing populations, timber for furniture, new foods, etc. 4) Local farmer/ rancher that lives that works to feed your family Use one of the following perspectives to describe how the development of the rain forest has had an impact in your life. Include Thesis Statement (Topic Sentence), Give at least 3 reasons from your point of view and a conclusion to convince the audience that you are correct.