"We as humans have the capability of either preserving of destroying the rainforest. But whatever we decide, good or bad, will affect us all" (Author unknown). In the above quote, the saying is very true and hopefully a strong connection between this report and the quote will be noticed. This report talks about rainforest destruction towards the largest rainforest on earth, the Amazon. The destruction of this vast biome should be something that the public should know about since everyone gets affected. The importance of preserving the rainforest should be taken seriously as there are many disadvantages that will affect the unique biome itself, lives of the natives, an economy that is doomed, and in turn kill the human race.

What makes a rainforest biome unique depends on two things. One being its location in the tropics and the other being the amount of rainfall it receives. It is hard to generalize rainfall in the Amazon since the numbers vary greatly. Some two to eight meters rain annually, however it has been recorded before of reaching 13 meters. Also, the rainforest is the Earth's oldest living ecosystem. Fossils date back 70 to 100 million years ago.

Facts on the Diversity that Exist in the Rainforest

Tropical rainforests cover only six percent of the Earth's land, but they contain over half of the plant and animal species on Earth. It is really fascinating when inside four square miles of rainforest there may be as many as 1500 species of flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 125 mammals, 400 birds, 100 reptiles, and 60 amphibians. In addition, in one square meter of ground soil where the leaves decompose, up to 50 species of ants can exist. Most of the biodiversity that is found in the rainforest comes from insects. It is estimated that tens of thousands of them exist here.

This is a sensitive subject to talk about. Many environmentalists think 'too-westerly' about certain topics and arrogantly believe that their way of thinking is the most correct. Why then is there an economy which destroys the rainforest? Well, the people do have a right to their natural resources and that in turn helps their economy grow. Besides, did Canada and other developed countries not do the same thing? So by the westerners telling developing countries to stop cutting down their rainforests, it sounds very hypocritical. Economically, rainforests provide jobs for loggers, miners, farmers, and rubber-tappers. Things such as collecting nuts and rubber does little damage while clear cutting, mining, and building dams are devastating to the rainforest. According to the Rainforest Action Network, one can make $6,820 annually if rainforest is sustained and harvested for fruits, latex, and timber. If the rainforest is not nourished, then one can make $1,000 for timber that is clear-cut. People that are into cattle ranching gain approximately $148. (These are American dollars mentioned here.)

the Diversity that Exist in the Rainforest. (1969, December 31). In DirectEssays.com. Retrieved 08:13, June 19, 2013, from http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/24828.html

Direct Essays. "the Diversity that Exist in the Rainforest." DirectEssays.com. DirectEssays.com, (December 31, 1969). Web. 19 Jun. 2013.

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