Why are rainforests important?

Why are rainforests so important? Dr. Boris Jepson is a biologist and environmentalist specializing in rainforest habitats. He recently spent three years living with an indigenous tribe in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. Rainforests are vitally important for the health of our planet and the survival of the human race. Trees use their roots to draw water out of the ground, then release it into the air as water vapour. If the rainforests were to disappear, there would soon be drought, famine and disease all across the world. Trees also absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, which helps to prevent global warming. What's more, when trees have used the carbon, they release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Where would we be without oxygen? Tropical rainforests are the perfect habitat for over 30 million species of plants and animals. Many of these are uniquely adapted to their rainforest habitat and would die out if it was destroyed. As well as plants and animals, rainforests are also home to billions of microorganisms. An incredible 10,000 to 50,000 different types of bacteria and 400 types of fungi are contained in just one spoonful of rainforest soil. Over a quarter of our modern medicines were originally made from rainforest plants, yet indigenous peoples understand far more about the wonders of rainforests than we do. Their culture, traditions and religion are all connected to their rainforest habitat. They live in harmony with nature and, like me, they understand that they must protect and respect their environment. In order to preserve it for future generations.