Rain Forest Destruction

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Rain Forest Destruction
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A Threatened Environment

• Rain forests cover only 7 of the earths surface
  but contain half the worlds plant and animal
  species.
• In the last 30 years, more than 40 of the
  worlds rain forests have been destroyed.
• About 27 million acres (an area the size of New
  England) disappear each year.

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Causes of Destruction

• Logging
• Cattle ranching
• Mining
• Road construction

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Impacts of Destruction

• People depend on rain forests for
• Food
• Medicines
• Clearing of forest areas leads to erosion and
  unproductive soils.
• Burning of forest areas releases enormous
  quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

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Loss of Biodiversity

• A small area of rain forest can contain
• 1500 species of flowering plants
• 750 species of trees
• 400 species of birds
• 160 species of reptiles and amphibians
• 150 species of butterflies
• 125 species of mammals

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What Can You Do to Help?

• Boycott companies that use products from rain
  forest areas.
• Educate others about rain forests.
• Invest in rain forest communities.
• Dont forget your own back yard.
• Join a forest conservation group in your area.
• Start a conservation group if none exists.