The Amazon Rainforest

What makes it so special?

By Jeanie Robinson

For GMS

What makes the rainforest special?

• With your partner list two things (or more) that make the Amazon rainforest a special place.

• It is the largest rainforest in the world.

• It produces oxygen.• It is known for its

diversity.• It is being destroyed.

The No. 1 Environmental crisis

Deforestation is the number one crisis facing the planet today.

Deforestation is the widespread destruction of forests.

• Since 1970 600,000 square miles have been destroyed

• About the size of Greece.

• One and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second. – That is the size of 1 ½ football fields.– Think…One Mississippi– How many acres is that per day??

Causes

• The Government• You and your partner

should look in your textbook to see what happened to the Capital of Brazil.

• p.215

• Encouraged people to move inland

• Has seen the rainforest as a way to improve economy– Moved capital– Relocated poor famers– Logging companies– Roads and highways

Results

• Deforestation

• Loss of habitat

• Loss of wood needed for cooking

• Less rain in the local area

• Temperature fluctations globally

• More frequent flooding on Amazon

• Loss of important human products

What do you think?

• Why should we keep our rainforest?

• What is the most important issue?

• Lets spend some time on our wikispace so that you can voice your opinion!

• http://www.solcomhouse.com/rainforest.htm• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation• www.greenpeace.org.uk/MultimediaFiles/Live/Im

age/186.jpg• www.fortunecity.es/losqueamamos/gordo/64/

images/tandq.jpg• http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/

globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html

Our Wikispace

• We are going to visit our wikispace

• Your job is to look at the websites and then make a list of what YOU think are the most important Rainforest Issues.

• www.gms6teacher.wikispaces.com