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Deforestation and forest degradation are the biggest threats to rainforests worldwide. Over half of the tropical forests worldwide have been destroyed since the 1960s, and every second, more than one hectare of tropical forests is destroyed or drastically degrade. What happens when the rainforest disappears?
The air over deforested area are average 3-5 degrees Celsius (37-41°F) hotter than in the forested protected area that adjoins it; The dry season is lengthening which makes the forests more susceptible to fires; Deforestation creates a giant change to the water and energy balance. A typical large Amazon tree releases around 500 liters of water a day into the atmosphere; Millions of animal and plant species are lost including western gorillas, orangutans, and forest elephants. The losses of large animals like woolly spider monkeys, tapirs and toucans leads to the loss of hardwood trees where 95% of all trees rely on animals to disperse seeds. Eighty percent of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and it means the killing of life on earth; Massive soil erosion and coastal flooding are triggered. Trees retain water and create topsoil; Deforestation produces new habitats for Anopheles darlingi mosquitoes and have caused malaria epidemics in South America. Viral and parasitic infections (arboviruses, malaria, the leishmaniases, Chagas Disease and schistosomiasis) have been directly or indirectly influenced by loss of natural tropical forests; The home of indigenous tribes is destroyed and their culture and knowledge lost forever.
We stand for rainforest, wildlife, and endangered species.
Nature and endangered species can be saved and bounce back with our help. Nature can regenerate itself, if we give it the opportunity. Give it space, but lend an important hand where we can. With a tipping point looming, the stakes are immensely high for the Amazon, the Congo Basin, Borneo and the rest of forest on earth. The forests and much of their biodiversity could, with the right assistance, still recover and be protected. Become a friend of Nature and join us to protect our living planet and all its inhabitants.
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