Are Rainforests Valuable Ecosystems?

Rainforests are valuable ecosystems. They contain more plant and animal species than any other ecosystem on the planet, according to the Nature Conservancy. They also influence our atmosphere and maintain water supplies.

Species Diversity

• The number of species in rainforests represents an important gene pool for plant and animal diversity. In addition, many provide food, timber, wood products and medicine for human use. Thousands of plants in the tropical rainforest have cancer fighting properties.

Water

• Rainforests are found worldwide and cover a total of about 75 million acres. They absorb precipitation and protect vast areas of land from erosion. The Amazon rainforest represents a reservoir for 20 percent of the world's fresh water.

Effects on Atmosphere

• Rainforests clean the air by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Plants in the rainforest replace CO2 with oxygen that is essential for animal and human life.