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Why Save the Rain Forest?
Saving the Rain Forest and its Products
What do you know about rain forests? Why do you think people want to save rain
forests? How can you help?
In order to save rain forests, you first should know why it is important to do
so. The rain forest contains most of the known plant species in the world. It
also home to many insect and animal species. About half of the medicines that
doctors prescribe originally come from plants and animals found in the rain
forest. Rain-forest plants and animals also give us the products that you see in
the drawing below. But if the rain forest continues to be cleared, we will lose
all these important plants and animals. Here's how you can help.
- With a group of friends, research the rain forest. You can use reference books
and the Internet to find out more information about the rain forest. You may
visit The Evergreen Project: Rainforest Topics Web site at
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/rforest/
to learn all about these ecosystems.
- Divide your group in half. One half can research rain forest plants, and the
other half can research animals.
- Use the chart below to help you organize your information.
Rain Forest Information Chart
| Plants |
Name of plant (example: Brazil nuts)
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Where does it grow? (example: Amazon Basin)
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Why is it important? (example: good to eat)
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| Animals |
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Name of animal (example: orangutan)
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Where does it live? (example: Indonesia)
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Why is saving it important? (example: to maintain biodiversity)
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- Write an essay that describes what is happening to the rain forest. Explain
how the plants and animals you listed in the chart are affected and how this
affects people. You might use graphs and charts to help you illustrate your work.
- Send your essay to lawmakers and groups that will help to protect the rain
forest.
Home Connection
Share the rain forest facts and information you learned. Use a
map or globe to help you point out the locations of the rain forests. Then go to
the Science in the Rain Forest Web site at
http://www.pbs.org/tal/costa_rica/index.html and take a “walking” tour of the
forest. Visit the Rainforest Facts section and Related Links. Check out their
Rainforest Graphics Library at
http://www.pbs.org/tal/costa_rica/graphindex.html.
Finally, print out the photos and make a family guide to the rain forest.
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