| Rainforests are forest locations that have | | | | of the available rainforest fruits are used. |
| very high rainfall measurements each year. | | | | |
| The most well known rainforests are tropical | | | | As you can see, much of the world's resources |
| rainforests found in Central America, | | | | come from our rainforests. Even the U.S. |
| Southeast Asia, parts of Australia and the | | | | National Cancer Institute confirms that many |
| Amazon region in Africa. | | | | of the plants in the rainforest are effective |
| | | | in fighting cancer cells. At least one fourth |
| Rainforests play a very important role in our | | | | of the active ingredients in cancer fighting |
| daily life whether we are aware of it or not. | | | | drugs can be found exclusively in the |
| For example, two thirds of the world's animal | | | | rainforests of the world. Several companies |
| and plant species live in the rainforests. | | | | and organizations are currently researching |
| Millions of plants, animals and insects are | | | | plants in the rainforests as possible cures |
| currently living in the rainforests of the | | | | for viruses, cancer and AIDS. |
| world waiting to be discovered. The majority | | | | |
| of natural medicines available on the market | | | | A constant concern revolves around the |
| today come from tropical rainforests. Between | | | | destruction of the rainforests. Rainforests |
| 70 and 80 percent of the world's population | | | | are destroyed so the trees can be used as |
| depends on plant medicines. Hundreds of | | | | timber and the land used for grazing cattle |
| prescription drugs are made in some part from | | | | and for farming. However, due to the |
| plants found only in the rainforest, also. | | | | composition of the soil in a rainforest, the |
| | | | ground is not suitable for farming. |
| More than 20% of the oxygen in the world is | | | | Rainforests are much more useful to humans |
| produced in the Amazon rainforests alone. The | | | | and to the earth if left intact. Valuable |
| Amazon Basin is also home to at least one | | | | resources, such as plants, animals, fresh |
| fifth of the world's fresh water resources. | | | | water and oxygen are destroyed and lost |
| There are an estimated 3,000 types of fruit | | | | forever by rainforest destruction. The |
| that grow in the rainforests of the world. In | | | | destruction of the rainforest is the leading |
| the United States, only 200 different types | | | | cause of animal extinction. |