1. Biodiversity

2. was found to contain more species of fish
In 1990, one river in Brazil
was found to contain more species of fish
than all the rivers in the United States.
Brazil is slightly smaller than the US.

3. a term used to indicate the number and diversity of species on Earth
Biodiversity
a term used to indicate the number and diversity of species on Earth
approximately 1.4 million known species (plants, animals, microorganisms, fungi)
scientific estimates of actual number of species between million

4. Species
group of very similar organisms able to reproduce and make more of their own kind
has a role to play in its ecosystem
depend upon other species for survival
species = biotic factors

5. Number of Known Existing Species
other animals
insects
plants
fungi
protists
monera

6. Number of Known Existing Species
281,000
751,000
275,300
69,000
30,800
4,800

7. How significant are rainforests in the role of biodiversity?

8. Tropical rainforests are home to
70% of the world’s plants
30% of all bird species
90% of all invertebrates
up to 200 tree species per hectare
plants that provide 25% of all modern drugs

9. Which of the following items came from the rainforest?
tea

10. Why should you be concerned about plants in the tropical rainforests?
Why is there more biodiversity in the rainforest than any other biome in the world?
Why should you be concerned about plants in the tropical rainforests?

11. The following items are derived from rainforest plants.
curare - muscle relaxant for surgery
vincristine - treats Hodgkin’s Disease, leukemia, other cancers
quabain - heart medication
quinine - malaria, pneumonia drug
emitine - bronchitis
disogenin - arthritis, asthma medication
cuculmeca - used to treat anemia

12. the end

13. Bibliography
Arms, Karen. (1996). Environmental Science. Holt, Rinehart, Winston: Austin, Texas.
Deforestation. (June 15,2100). Canadian International Development Agency. Quebec, Canada.. [available]
World Rainforest Movement, Rainforest Destruction: Causes, Effects and False Solutions. (1990) .