Rainforests also support 90,000 of the 250,000 identified plant species. Within four square miles of rainforest you can find at least 1500 plants, 750 trees, 125 different mammals, 400 different birds, 100 different reptiles and 60 different types of amphibians. Scientists estimate that there are at least 30,000 as yet undiscovered plants, most of which are rainforest species. Loss of tropical rainforest is the leading cause of global species extinction. .
Not only are rainforests home to an abundance of trees, plants insects and mammals, they are also home to many indigenous people. For thousands of years, these people have thrived in the Amazon rainforest, enjoying its bounty and cherishing its beauty. Today's indigenous peoples, however, live in a world far different than their ancestors": ancient cultures are vanishing along with endless acres of rainforest. At one time an estimated 10 million indigenous people lived in the Brazilian rainforest - today there are less than a million. Just as they shared in its bounty when the rainforest flourished in peace, so too they share in its tragedies. .
Rain forests play a critical role in today's world. They serve as the earth's lungs, producing the oxygen we breathe and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees and plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by storing it in their roots, stems, leaves, and branches. When rainforests are burned, or the trees are cut and left to decay, the carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This is the second largest factor contributing to the greenhouse effect, global warming. .
Industry has benefited greatly from rain forests. Many products we use today come from materials found in the rain forest such as rubber, resins for paints, oils, waxes, soaps and plastics. Agriculture has also benefited from rain forests. Many products used daily in homes across the world come from the rain forest.
