World Rainforest Day
World rainforest day is celebrated annually on June 22. The theme for this year's celebration is 'Conserve, Restore, Regenerate.' This theme captures the critical work that must be done to safeguard rainforests against any further damage.
There are two types of rainforests --- tropical and temperate. Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator where it is warm and rains all year long. Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator where it is warm and rains all year long. Temperate rainforests are found near cooler coastal areas further north or south of the equator.
Adaptations in rainforest plants:
* Plants in rainforests have adapted to survive in their unique environment,
* Woody vines like lianas root in the ground, but they climb up trees to reach sunlight. Their leaves and flowers grow in the treetops.
* Tree trunks are tall and thin so that trees can reach the sunlight. The bark of these trees is smooth so that water can flow down easily to the roots.
* Plants have leaves with pointed tips. This allows rainwater to run off the leaves quickly without damaging or breaking them.
* Some plants have supporting roots or buttress roots. These are large roots with ribs that form a large surface and support large trees.
Some facts about the rainforests:
* Rainforests are found in Central and South America, Western and central Africa, Western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea and Australia.
* The Amazon Rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest. It covers area of 5.5 million sq. kms. Due to the thickness of the tree canopy here, the forest floor is always in darkness. It is said that it takes 10 minutes for the rain to pass through the canopy and rich the ground!
* Around 400 to 500 indigenous American tribes live in the Amazon Rainforest. It is believed that many of these tribes have never had any contact with the outside world!
* 20% of oxygen we breathe comes from the rainforests of the Amazon.
* The Daintree Rainforest in Australia is said to be between 135 and 180 million year's old! It is the world's oldest tropical lowland rainforest.
Did you know?
Rainforests are being destroyed by human greed!
Their trees are being cut down to:
* grow crops like soya beans
* use the wood for furniture and timber
* make room for mining projects
* build roads for farmers, loggers and miners
* create space for development projects such as hydropower and infrastructure
* make space for building houses.
