Rain forests help in maintaining the earths ecosystem
Rain forests help in maintaining the earths ecosystem
Rain forests provide habitat to a variety of animals and help in maintaining the earths ecosystem. Cutting them off could have serious repurcussions.
Discuss the statement.
Rain forests are the world’s oldest living ecosystems. They are tall and dense. They are characterised by hot and humid climate and excessive amount of rainfall throughout the year. An amazing fact about them is that though they cover only six percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they contain more than half of the world’s plant and animal species.
They are a habitat for nearly 30 million plant and animal species. They are the sources of various foods we eat and various medicines we need. They help to stabilise the world’s climate, protect against floods and draughts and also a great support for tribal people.
In spite of all these benefits of rain forests, every year a certain area is cut and destroyed. The various reasons due to which exploitation of the rain forests is done are getting wood for timber, road construction, buildings construction, extraction of minerals and energy to name a few.
Also, the rain forests are being cut as they are being used to make huge profits by using these trees in construction and making paper.
However, mankind soon needs to realise that there are very severe repercussions of cutting rain forests. Cutting down of rain forests bring about severe climatic changes. For example, Indonesia has experienced several severe draughts in the recent decades due to the same.
Cutting of rain forest also leads to an interruption in the water cycle thereby, causing an imbalance in the distribution of rainfall followed by soil erosion. Various plants and animals lose their habitat and various species become extinct.
For centuries together, man has only taken from the environment to satisfy his selfish needs. But a time has come, where even the endurance of the planet is being challenged. Like they say, excess of everything is bad. If, we do not stop exploiting our ecosystem now, a stage may come where it may become impossible to repair it.
The real cure for the environmental problems is causing widespread awareness and an intention to salvage the same realising its importance and fear of loss.
Discussion
- RE: Rain forests help in maintaining the earths ecosystem -Teena Bhatia (08/29/14)
- Rainforests are a precious part of earth’s ecosystem. They have taken more than 60 million years to evolve. There is no doubt that they are oldest part of earth’s ecosystem. Let us check out the main reasons why rainforest hold special place in ecosystem:
• Rainforests are a natural habitat for over 30 million species of animals and plants. Rainforests are found in warm places. It is most favorable environment for at least two third of the plant species and half of the earth’s wildlife. These species of animals and plants are entirely dependent on the rainforest for survival.
• Rainforests can be called as the main savior of water. The famous Amazonian Rainforests are said to store more than half of the earth’s rainwater. Rainforests play an important role in maintaining the balance in atmosphere. Whenever rainforests are destroyed or burnt, it pollutes the environment. Deforestation is the major factor for climate change.
• Rainforests contains more than 1000 species of trees whose roots prevents the soil erosion. If the rainforests are destroyed, water will take away the unprotected soil with it leading to floods and blockages in lowland rivers.
• Rainforests are not only habitat of animals and plants but also give shelter to the indigenous people. The particular segment has remained a part of rainforests for years.
• Rainforests are an important source of herbal medicines. Almost 25% of the total modern medicines come from the tropical rainforests. The species of plants found in rainforests are rare and therefore, it is important to save them. As of now, humans just own a little knowledge of how to use the amazing plants for medicinal purposes. One of the examples of such medicinal plants is rosy periwinkle, available in Madagascar. It is used in the treatment of leukemia.
• Rainforests are also a source of many other important products like coffee, spices, rubber, resins and many others.
