1. USES OF TROPICAL RAINFOREST 12 Feb 2014

2. Uses of Tropical Rainforest 1.Water Catchment 2.Green lungs of the earth 3.Source of timber 4.Medical application 5. Habitat for flora and fauna

3. 1. Water Catchment Area Rain falls in rainforest Seeps into ground, stored as groundwater Impurities are trapped by soil before flowing into reservoirs

4. 2. Green Lungs of the Earth Absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis More than 20% of the earth’s oxygen is estimated to be generated by the Amazon rainforest alone Acts as a natural air purifier Absorbs about 2.4 billion tonnes of CO2 in a year Dense vegetation of tropical rainforests keeps earth cool

5. 3. Source of Timber Refers to wood used to build things Provides wood for fuel Supplies about one-fifth of the world’s industrial timber

6. 4. Medicinal Properties Known as the ‘world’s largest pharmacy’ Nearly 2000 plant species have been identified to have medicinal properties Quinine extracted from the Cinchona Tree  Used to treat malaria Madagascar periwinkle plant  Used to treat childhood leukaemia Clavillia plant  Used to treat eczema and itchiness

7. 5. Habitat for flora (plants) and fauna (animals) Home to more than 2 million species Abundant and diverse in tropical rainforests as… 1) Sunlight converted in energy by plants and into food through photosynthesis  plants thrive  animals can consume them for survival  facilitates food chain 2) Continuous canopy  habitat to live and grow in