Which Forest is Known as the ‘Lungs of Earth’?

The Amazon rainforest extends in nine countries in South America, commonly known as the “Lung of Earth.” The term is not just a number of words. This shows the basic function of rainforests when producing oxygen and taking carbon dioxide and is therefore an essential part of the Earth’s ecosystem. In this article, we will explore the importance of the Amazon rainforest and why it is so important to our planet.

Role in oxygen production

The Amazon rainforest is home to a variety of vegetation, with millions of plants and tree species. Plants perform photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is believed that the Amazon rainforest is responsible for producing about 20% of the world’s oxygen, and is therefore one of the most important oxygen-producing ecosystems in the world. This oxygen is essential to life on Earth, not only maintaining human existence, but also many other forms of life that depend on it.

Carbon sequestration

In addition to becoming a source of oxygen, the Amazon rainforest is also an important carbon dioxide absorber. Carbon sequestration is a process that minimizes greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thereby reducing the impact of climate change. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees and plants through photosynthesis and stored in their biomass and soil. Natural carbon sinks, such as sinks provided by Amazon rainforests, are essential for a stable climate and avoiding global warming.

Biodiversity and ecological significance

The Amazon rainforest is not only a source of carbon sinks and oxygen. It is also one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. It supports 10% of all animal and plant life known to science, including thousands of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Its biodiversity is crucial to maintain ecological stability and maintain complex food webs. Rainforests also affect local and global weather patterns, producing rainfall and sustained soil.

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Threat to the Amazon rainforest

Despite being crucial to the world, the Amazon rainforest still has great risks. Deforestation caused by agriculture and logging has cost the rainforest millions of hectares. Climate change also threatens it, with rising temperatures and rising precipitation patterns causing droughts and fires to damage rainforests. These are not only dangerous to the environment, but also have the potential to benefit from Amazon.

Protection work

To protect the Amazon rainforest, some conservation plans are underway. Governments, NGOs and local communities work together to create protected areas, encourage sustainable land use, and assist traditional forest residents who manage forests sustainably. Replanting of trees and restoration of degraded areas is also underway to protect the ecological balance of rainforests.