The Rain Forest
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info@rainforestproject.org
The Rain Forest
Rain forests average over 60 inches of rainfall per year, with some forests having as much as 400 inches of annual rainfall. Many of the rain forest trees have been used for hundreds of years for their medicinal value. Even today, rain forest trees produce such medicines as quinine (fights malaria) taxol (cancer treatment), and emetine (bronchitis).
The tree layer, which is the tallest (about 200 feet) forms the dominant vegetation. Just under it lies the shrub layer (about 150 feet), also known as the upper canopy, which is very prolific when plenty of sunlight can penetrate through the tallest trees. Near the forest floor (about 50 feet) is a very thick growth of smaller trees that never grow too tall due to the lack of sufficient sunlight. On the ground level are herbaceous plants, mosses and other simple plants.
Almost half of all migratory birds live or migrate to the rain forests. These species include eagles, macaws, parrots, woodpeckers, toucans, hummingbirds and others. The rain forest provides shelter and a home to many animals and creatures, such as monkeys, jaguars, deer, anteaters, porcupines, ocelots, frogs, ants and butterflies.
Unfortunately, rain forests are being destroyed at a very rapid pace - nearly 20 million acres of rain forests are destroyed every year due to mining, slash and burn farming, fires and logging. Most of the destruction has occurred in the last century and it has now become a necessity to replant trees as quickly as possible. With continued tree replantings by our organization and others, the restored rain forest can continue to play a vital role in the world's eco-system.
Popular products that come from the rain forest
Popular everyday products from the rain forests include hundreds of things you and I take for granted. Read on for a list of products the world benefits from the rain forest.
FRUITS
Avocados | Bananas | Plantains | Oranges | Tangerines | Coconuts | Grapefruits | Guava
FOOD ITEMS
Peanuts | Tapioca | Chocolate | Macadamia Nuts | Hearts of Palm | Coffee | Chayete Peppers | Cone Sugar | Okra | Sweet Potatoes | Cola
GUMS & RESINS
Chicle Latex (chewing gum) | Rubber Latex (rubber) | Gutta Percha (golf ball covers) | Copal (paints, varnishes)
SPICES
Ginger | Cayenne | Chili Pepper | Black Pepper | Vanilla | Cloves | Nutmeg | Paprika | Sesame Seeds
FIBERS
Bamboo (furniture, baskets) | Rattan (furniture, baskets) | Jute (burlap, rope) | Kapok (insulation, life preserves) | Raffia (rope, baskets) | Ramie (fishing line, fabric)
MEDICINES
Quassia (insecticide) | Strophantus (heart disease treatment) | Tamoxifen (cancer treatment) | Curare (muscle relaxant) | Reserpine (sedatives, tranquilizers) | Tuba Root (insecticide) | Strychnine (stimulant emetic) | Emetine (bronchitis, dysenteny)