Plant diversity can be maintained only by
protecting the native habitats and ecosystems where plants live. Countries
have safeguarded ecosystems by establishing national parks, forest reserves,
and other formally protected areas. During this century, governments have
steadily increased protected areas, and they now encompass nearly 12 million
square kilometers, or about 8 percent of the Earth's land surface. Many
protected areas guard irreplaceable botanical resources, and a few reserves
have been established to protect useful plants.
Protecting rainforests from destruction by slash and burn techniques can prevent the emission of dangerous green house gases responsible for global warming. In fact every year deforestation contributes to 30% of all the carbon dioxide emitted in to the air. It is estimated that 1.5-2.5 acres of rainforest
are destroyed a second. At this pace the rainforests could be gone
in 40 years.
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Researchers believe that more than 10%
of the plant species in the world are in constant danger of extinction.
Satellite Photo of Rainforest Fires
![]() http://www.rainforests.net/pictures.htm |
The Aftermath from the Fires![]() http://www.rainforests.net/pictures.htm |
Experts estimates that we are losing 137
plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation.
That equates to 50,000 species a year. As the rainforest species dissapear,
so do many possible cures for life-threatening diseases. Currently, 121
prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. While
25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients,
less that 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.
What changes can you make
to preserve plant diversity?