Amazon Forests The Amazon Rainforest - 1577 Words

One of the largest forests in the world, passing nine nations and over 1.4 billion acres, the Amazon rainforest stands as an amazing wonder in the world. The majority of the Amazon rainforest lies in Brazil, but also is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, French Guiana, and Guiana. Covering such a vast amount of land makes this region one of the most diverse ecological habitats in the word, but, while recognized as a priceless jewel of nature and a key factor in the global climate control, greed and selfishness are quickly destroying the Amazon Rainforest. Just as full and deep as its densest jungle the Amazon Rainforest’s history reveals secrets to the development of a unique ecosystem. This region†¦show more content†¦Even today, modern governments seek to make profit off of the Amazon. For instance, Brazil gives incentives to people to migrate to the forest in hopes of building new cities and to develop this last great frontier. The sad thing about this migration of people into the rainforest pertains to the affects they have on the region. Over the last fifty years, nearly 15% of the Amazon has been destroyed, with most of the destruction attributed to burning. With destructive forces pillaging the rain forest, many plants and animals face an uncertain future. The flora and fauna of the Amazon houses rare varieties of species that can only live in such an environment. The destruction of the rainforest is directly affecting the lives of the plants and animals of the region. Because this is the only area where they can survive, once their home is destroyed they will become extinct. Some specific flora found in the Amazon include the kapok tree, the water lily, and orchids. The kapok tree is the biggest tree of the Amazon rainforest, as it can grow to 200 feet tall with a trunk about 10 or 11 feet in diameter. This big tree is usually the home of many other species, from insects to frogs to birds, while also providin g support for tree climbers and bromeliads. Another common visitor of the Kapok trees comprises bats attracted by the trees flower smell. While one of the largest plants of the Amazon it does not