Amazon Forest

Plant

The Amazon rainforest, also known as Amazonia, is one of the world's greatest natural resources. Because its vegetation continuously recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen, it has been described as the "Lungs of our Planet". About 20% of earth's oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.

Plant poison

Amazon people use a plant poison called curare to coat their darts and arrows.Curare is used in anesthetics to relax patients´ muscles before operations.

Largest leaf

The Amazon water lily produces the world´s largest leaves,up to six feet across.The lily leaves float on water and are strong enough to support the weight of a person.

A tight squeeze

The anaconda,the world´s largest snake,lurks in the muddy rivers of South America.It is big enough to kill and eat a caiman which is a type of alligator.

Man ape

The Orangutan is a large forest ape from Borneo and Sumatra.It is covered with long red fur. The name Orangutan means Man of the forest.

KILLER BIRD

The world´s most dangerous bird is the Cassowary of New Guinea.The five foot bird runs through the forest.It has a pointed bone,or casque,on it´s head,which helps it slice through the undergrowth.The casque also protects the bird when it hits a tree trunk-or person.Cassowaries have been known to slash people with five-inch claws.

FAST GROWER

Bamboo is the world´s fastest-growning plant.The giant bamboo can grow over three feet in one day.

GUARANAGuarana is basically an herbal form of

caffeine. The surprising truth about guarana is that while it may be a valuable aid for temporarily increasing energy levels, its ability to break down and mobilize fat and use it for energy makes it a "natural" choice for fat loss. Guarana is typically found combined with other "stimulating" herbs to further compound its properties and increase its "fat-burning" effects.

Açai

The açai fruit is mostly found on the beaches of Brazil and Peru. a few hundred years ago Brazilians began to harvest açai in an attempt to overcome a shortage of food. They originally extracted juice from the açai fruit to make red wine.

Layers of the forest

The emergent layer

It's the uppermost layer which is also known as the Dominants. The tallest trees are found here, towering as much as 200 feet above the forest floor and up to 16 feet around. Many of the birds, including eagles and parrots inhabit here.

The canopy layer

It is the primary layer of the forest.Through photosynthesis - the process of converting sunlight into energy - they provide the source of power to the forest. They play an important role in regulating regional and global climate because it's the principal site of interchange of heat, water, vapor, and atmospheric gases.

The understory layer

Little sunshine reaches this area - only 2 to 15% of the sunshine falls on the canopy.Plants here have to grow larger leaves to reach sunlight. It's home of lichens, orchids and ferns.

THE FOREST FLOOR

Darkest area of the rainforest since less than 2% of sunshine reaches the forest floor. In consequence, decay here occurs quickly for leaves, seeds and fruits. It's home of the largest animals of the forest.

FINISH