Introduction:The amazon rainforest (also known as Amazonia) is the largest rainforest in the world.
Because its vegetation continously recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen,
it has been describes as the "Lungs of our planet".
Impact to the environment:
About 20% earth's oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.
Amazonia receive most of its water supply from the Amazon river.
Amazonia receives about 9 feet of rain every year.
Fifty percent of this returns to the atmosphere through the foliage of trees.
Tens of millions of acres of rainforest are covered by water
as the flood advances towards the inland.
Location and animal population:
The world's largest tropical rainforest,
Amazonia covers more than half of Brazil.
Scientists believe that the canopy may contain half of the world's species.
Over 500 mammals, 175 lizards and over 300 other reptile species,
and one third of the world's birds live in Amazonia.
It is estimated that about 30 million insect types can be found here.
Competition for survival is fierce.
The most intense competition is between plants and animals.
Both plants and animals have made adaptations
to defend themselves from being eaten,
and to overcome these defensive systems.
Plants trap sunlight and turn it into energy
for themselves and herbivores of the canopy.
Some animals found in the canopy are the harpy eagle,
which preys on monkeys, kinkajous, sloth, reptiles,
and other birds.
Sloth spend most of their lives on the treetop.
Weather conditions:
High temperatures and the amount of rain
are the same throughout the year in Amazonia.
The climate is warm and humid,
with average temperatures around 79 degrees farenheit.
The difference between day and night time temperatures
is greater than those between seasons.
Other benefits to human:
Native peoples of the Amazon rainforest have used
different plants for centuries as cures and potions
for their health and survival.
Scientists are now discovering that many of the plants
are sources for new drugs for
AIDS, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer's.
Quinine, muscle relaxants, steroids and cancer drugs
have already been discovered.
But unfortunately,
Amazonia, the home of natural vegetation and species,
is being cleared for cattle ranches,
mining operations, logging and subsistence agriculture.
Some forests are being burned to make charcoal to power industrial plants.
Credits:
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/ ,
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/amazon.htm ,
http://xin.msn.com/