THE RAIN FOREST:Tropical rain forests cover only 7% of the earth's surface, yet nearly one half of the world's species of plants and animals are found thereThese lush green jungles circle the equator in a 3,000 mile wide belt running through parts of South America, Central America, Southeast Asia and Africa. The largest area, about 130 million acre, is in the Amazon region of Brazil.Temperatures range from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and annual rainfalls from 6 feet to 30 feet. Tropical rain forests play an important role in controlling climate all over the world.What makes a tropical rain forest so unique is its biodiversity-bio meaning life and diversity meaning different. Scientists believe that we're just beginning to uncover the number of plants, animals and insects that exist in this fascinating and diverse habitat. For example, a person could walk for a mile through the rain forest and never find two trees of the same kind. Much of this diversity is due to the special layering of plant life, the millions of species and insects and animals, the hot, humid climate and rich fertile soil.There are four different layers in the rain forest:Emergent Layer- contains very tall trees. Some taller than 160 feet. Butterflies and birds of prey, such as eagles, are found in this layer.Canopy- rises about 100 to 130 feet above the ground. It is thick with vines and trees and gets lots of sunshine. Most of the animals and plants in the rain forest live in the canopy.Understory- the layer beneath the canopy. Bushes, shrubs and trees grow there about 50 to 80 feet above the ground. Plants do not grow tall in this layer because it gets very little sunlight. Bats, birds and cats like ocelots live here.Forest Floor- the bottom layer of the rain forest has almost no direct sunlight. It is usually bare except for decaying plants and leaves, ferns, moss and other plants that don't need as much sun. Beetles, spiders, tapirs and flightless birds live here.In the last 30 years, more than 40% of the world's rain forests have been destroyed. Efforts are being made to reverse this destruction through conversation and wise use of natural and renewable resources. This site of Green Horizons will highlight some of the conservation efforts that are now underway to save the tropical rain forests.Treasures of the Rain Forest:For thousands of years people have lived in rain forests. These indigenous people (whose ancestors were the first to inhabit the area) have relied on their natural surroundings for their livelihood. Fruits and vegetables, nuts and their oils, tree saps, natural dyes, seeds and medicinal plants are some of the treasures stored in the rain forest.While these indigenous people have always known that these treasures existed, outsiders have just recently begun to appreciate that the rain forests may be more valuable if kept intact and the 'renewable' resources are collected and used rather than destroyed.Non-profit organizations like Conservation International (CI) and Cultural Survival Enterprises (CSE) are working with local communities to gather and sell rain forest products. As the demand for naturally-based products increases, you'll begin to see more products with rain forest ingredients on store shelves. Already there are many of these products on the market, from rain forest cereals and nuts to coffee and spices, even ice cream and chances are you'll find some of them at your local grocery store. Check out the produce section and you'll probably find fruits, like coconuts and bananas, that are grown in the rain forest, too.Juice companies are developing new juice flavors using a variety of tropical fruits like mango and guava. Rain forest ingredients can also be found in some personal care products. Manufacturers of these products are souring exotic oils and scents from rain forest nuts and plants to make shampoo, conditioners and lotions.One interesting and successful rain forest project involves tagua (pronounced togwa), a nut which grows on South American palms. Tagua is also called a "vegetable ivory" or "ivory nut" because of its remarkable likeness to animal ivory and easily carved texture. The idea of using tagua in place of ivory goes back more than 100 years. In the 1800's tagus, became one of the Ecuador's leading exports to Europe. The nuts were carved into everything from dice and cheese pieces to buttons and umbrella handles. In 1990, CI linked up with communities in Ecuador and Colombia to collect, harvest and sell tagua nuts to be crafted into jewelry, buttons, and small carvings.Since 1991, more than 35 million tagna buttons have been sold through Tagua Initiative Partners.A good portion of the profits from rain forest products goes toward rain forest conservation efforts and back into local communities working on these projects. Buying rain forest products is one way YOU can help support efforts to save rain forests.The Other Rain Forest:Did you know we have rain forests right here in the United States? Unlike the tropical variety, these rain forests are temperate, meaning they have a mild climate, and they are dominated by huge trees.These forests of the Pacific Northwest once made up over 2,000 miles of lush green wilderness from northern California to Alaska.The heavy rainfall makes perfect environment for big conifers (cone bearing trees like evergreens and bushes). Some common trees are the Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, and the Red Cedar. Farther south are the Sequoias or Redwoods that can reach a height of over 300 feet.Today the forests that remain are much the same as they were 50 million years ago. If protected, these ancient forests could survive for hundreds of years more.About 27 million acres of tropical rain forests disappear each year. If they continue to be destroyed at this rate, there may not be any rain forests left in our world 50 years from now.The Rain Forest Animals:The rainforest is full of animals. Frogs and spiders hide under leaves, snakes slither along the ground and wind around tree trunks. Ants, termites and beetles live under tree bark or in the soil. Sloths and anteaters hang from tree branches. Wild pigs look for roots under the shady ground. Many monkeys and other primates live in the rainforest. In Central and South America, little spider monkeys and white faced monkeys swing through the treetops.
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