LocationRainforests are found in the tropics, the region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, just above and below the Equator . In this tropic zone the sun is very strong and shines about the same amount of time every day all year long, keeping the climate warm and relatively stable.
Rainforests are found in 85 different countries. The top five countries with the most tropical rainforest are-
A picture showing the human pollution that is causing an increase in greenhouse gases.
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The Carbon CycleThe carbon cycle is the process and movement of carbon in the atmosphere. Rainforest play a major part in this cycle because they absorb a large percentage of the carbon released into the atmosphere in order for photosynthesis to occur.
Here's a link to a fun game on the carbon cycle! http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/climate/carbon_cycle.html The Enhanced Greenhouse EffectNaturally the greenhouse effect occurs and is the result of heat being trapped near the Earth’s surface by gases. However the enhanced greenhouse effect is used to describe the unnatural increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Rainforests role in the carbon cycleThe role of rainforests in the global carbon cycle is complex, however rainforests are an important element in this cycle.
During the normal carbon cycle they help to absorb much of the released carbon dioxide, with rainforests storing 18% of global carbon emissions annually. (S.L. Lewis et al. 2009) However with the increased greenhouse gases levels, coupled with the deforestation of rainforests, because when rainforests are destroyed their stored carbon is released and the fact that deforestation accounts for roughly 6 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions; greater than the emissions from all the world's planes, ships, trucks, and cars. (S.L. Lewis et al. 2009). This startlingly statistic means that rainforests cannot be relied upon to absorb the billions of tons emitted by human each year. |
Introduction to rainforests
Ever wondered where in the world rainforests are..well here's the answer!