Hobbies And Interests
Biodiversity
According to Rainforest Concern, tropical rainforests contain over 30 million species of plants and animals, equating to half the world's wildlife and at least two-thirds of its plant species. The diversity of habitats and food resources available in dense rainforests, along with the moist and sheltered conditions, promote the high levels of biodiversity.
Climate
Rainforests regulate global and regional climate systems by acting as heat and water pumps, according to the Rainforest Information Centre. They release heat into the atmosphere that returns to the ground as rain. Moreover, rainforests have a key role in moderating global concentrations of carbon dioxide, in addition to providing oxygen. The importance of this is that the rainforest can help to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming. More importantly, they form a carbon sink, which is lost when deforestation occurs, consequently exacerbating global warming. In addition, when areas of forest are cleared, the local climate will become drier which, over time, can lead to the development of deserts.
Food
Rainforests provide a wide variety of foods. Commonly used foods that originated in the rainforest include rice, coffee, cocoa, and many fruits, nuts and spices, as detailed by the Rainforest Information Centre.
Medicines
Rainforest plants have developed a range of chemicals used to defend themselves against the many insects in the forest. According to National Geographic, researchers have found many of these chemicals to be useful medicines. For instance, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 70 percent of the anti-cancer plants identified so far are rainforest plants.
Prevention of Flooding and Soil Erosion
The rainforests soak up moisture, releasing it slowly and therefore moderating the flow of rivers. In the event of flooding, the dense grouping of trees and their complex root networks helps to reduce the impact of soil erosion and loss of nutrients, as explained by the Rainforest Information Centre.
Provide a Home for Indigenous People
Many indigenous people have been living in harmony with the rainforest for thousands of years. Most of these communities are unique. Unfortunately, logging operations can destroy the natural home of these people and expose them to new diseases to which they will have no resistance, according to Rainforest Concern, thus threatening their survival.
Economic Importance
Although rainforests must be protected due to their high importance, they also have an economic value to local populations. Providing the rainforest is not overexploited, it can be an important source of various products, such as rubber, gums, resins, dyes, tannins and cane, according to the Rainforest Information Centre. Thus, the rainforest can provide an important source of income for local people.