(Slide 1)
Tropical rainforests are along the earth’s equatorial zone. In Central America they occur on the Yucatan Peninsula, Costa Rica has one of the most famous. South America holds the largest rainforest in the world, The Amazon. The rainforests of central Africa stretch from the Congo to the island of Madagascar on the eastern side. The monsoon area of Southeast Asia has rainforests from India to Myanmar (Burma) to the islands such as the Philippines and reaches down into northern Australia. (Learning, n.d., www.srl.caltech)
The tropical rainforests are characterized by high humidity and torrential rains with tropical temperatures. There are four layers of growth in the rainforests; (a) the emergent layer are the few very tall trees that emerge above canopy, (b) the canopy layer is formed by the largest trees, their tree top prevents the light from reaching the forest floor, (c) the understory is between the canopy and the forest floor and contains the broad leafed plants and the developing tree saplings, and (d) The forest floor receives almost no light so the only plants located there have adapted to low light conditions. (Climate Change, CI, 2011)
(Slide 2)
The rainforests of the world are huge photosynthesis engines. The rainforests use the atmospheric carbon dioxide in a reaction with water and sunlight energy to produce oxygen. That is why rainforests are called an important ‘carbon sink,’ the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) drawn into forests to use in photosynthesis is the most efficient way to pull CO2 out of the air we breathe. Therefore the rainforests are a carbon sink for the carbon that is in greenhouse gases. The Brazilian rainforest is the highest biodiversity in the world. To force a transition from the most diverse ecosystem to a monoculture ecosystem is very damaging. Without the sun protection of the trees and plants the normally moist rainforest floor dries up (Fearnside, 2009, 682). Added to that the microclimate is completely destroyed because the fertilizers, nitrogen and phosphorus, are missing without the above ground canopy that provides them to the soil during biodegradation processes. The water and carbon cycle are both disrupted. The rainforest water supply relies on the plant transpiration to supply moisture to the clouds that becomes rain. When no plants exist the water that is available runs into rivers with three bad results (a) erosion, (b) lost of nutrients, and (c) loss of soil.
The global deforestation by logging in the world’s rainforests causes about sixteen percent of the global CO2 emissions. The emissions are caused by a combination of detrimental actions including (a) cutting down the trees, (b) clearing the trees away from the area and (c) burning out the forests so the land can be used for other purposes. (Deforestation, Effects, n.d.)
(Slide 3)
Emissions from this type of forest destruction are huge. The amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is six times larger than that produced annually by the car and truck emissions in the USA. It is greater than the annual greenhouse gas emissions of the USA and China combined. It is greater than the global transportation’s greenhouse gas emissions combined: (a) six times more than the car and truck emission in the USA annually, (b) more than the annual GHG emissions of USA and China combined, and (c) more than the global transportation sectors annual GHG emissions. The amount of waste from the cattle (and sheep) raised in the Brazilian Amazon creates a big negative impact on global warming by increasing the amount of methane gas entering the atmosphere. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas.
McLaren (2005) reported that “14 percent of global methane emissions are from the intestines of farm animals” (para. 11). Many farmers and researchers have been concentrating on finding a way to reduce this source of methane. Researchers in Aberdeen, Scotland announced the use of a compound derived from fumaric acid. The chemical compound is a food additive that occurs naturally in fumaric acid. The scientists reported that their research demonstrated a seventy percent reduction in flatulence. (McLaren, 2005, para. 1)
(Slide 4)
China’s rainforest is an example of a temperate rainforest; it is the only place on earth where pandas are found. The temperatures are not as hot as in the tropical forests but temperate rainforests are very humid due to fog, low lying clouds and severe periods of rain. Bamboo is 99 percent of a panda’s diet but the bamboo is disappearing along with the rest of the forest. The panda’s ecosystem is shrinking because of farming, forest clearing, town and urban development all due to the high rate of China’s population growth.
(Slide 5)
The scientific community warns that if the deforestation does not stop the level of the temperature will rise dangerously “no matter what other steps are taken to combat climate change” (What’s, 2011, para. 2). The idea to compensate countries for making positive progress towards avoiding deforestation is the inspiration for the most recent global initiative to stop deforestation, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation Degradation Plus (REDD+). The incentive to stop the rainforest deforestation is money to help develop alternative jobs. REDD+ can be started immediately in local communities, it is cost effective and it is part of the solution to climate change. “The Plus’ refers to conservation practices, stopping deforestation, and replanting of forests.
(Slide 6)
Deforestation of the rainforests has to be stopped if the human race is going to survive. Everyone can get involved for example; World Wildlife Federation and Conservation International are only two of the volunteer organizations working to stop deforestation.
Climate Change. (2011). Rainforests and Biodiversity. Conservation International. Accessed 15 April 2012 http://www.conservation.org/learn/climate/Pages/overview.aspx
Deforestation effects, Deforestation causes, Deforestation solutions & statistics. (n.d.)Effects of Deforestation. Accessed 15 April 2012 from http://www.effects-of-deforestation.com/causes-of-deforestation.php
Fearnside, P. M. (2005). Deforestation in Brazilian Amazonia: History, Rates, and Consequences. Conservation Biology, 19(3), 680-688. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00697.x
Learning about Rainforests. (n.d.) Where are the rainforests? Accessed 15 April 2012 from http://www.srl.caltech.edu/ .
McLaren, W.(2005) Scientists sniff out cure for bovine farting. Treehugger: A discovery company. 6 Dec. Web. Retrieved from http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/scientists-sniff-out-cure-for-bovine-farting.html
What’s the connection between tropical forests and climate change? (2011). REDD+ Conservation International. www.conservation.org. n.d. Web. Accessed 5 April 2012 from http://www.conservation.org/learn/climate/solutions/mitigation/Pages/climate_REDD.aspx
