Why are rainforests important?

WHY ARE RAINFORESTS IMPORTANT?

Rainforests are important to the global ecosystem. Rainforests:

• provide a home to many plants and animals;
• help stabilize the world's climate;
• protect against flood, drought, and erosion;
• are a source for medicines and foods;
• support tribal people; and
• are an interesting, beautiful place to visit

The air we breathe comes from trees, and most of the World's trees live in Rainforests!

Rainforests help stabilize the world’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is believed to contribute to climate change through global warming. Therefore rainforests have an important role in addressing global warming. 

Rainforests also affect local weather conditions by creating rainfall and moderating temperatures. 

Rainforests are home to a large number of the world’s plant and animals species, including many endangered species. As forests are cut down, many species are doomed to extinction. Some rainforest species can only survive in their natural habitat. Zoos cannot save all animals.