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Monday, April 30, 2012

Valuable Natural Resources - Rainforest Plants

Waterfalls are example for natural resources
Waterfalls are example for natural resources (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Rainforest plants are valuable natural resources. It has been estimated that rainforest contains 80 percent of the green flowering plants. And there may be more than 750 types of trees and 1500 species of high plants in 2.5 acres of rainforest.

The rainforest is located in tropical regions, where the climate is warm and moist and the light is adequate. From the light, plants can get energy through photosynthesis, which can convert the sunlight to energy. So rainforest has abundant plants.

Apart from the plants, there are also many species of animals in the rainforest. The plants offer rainforest animals not only food to eat but also shelter. Large numbers of rainforest plants and the energy stored in them make it easy for rainforest animals to survive, which contribute to the abundance of rainforest animals. The relationship between plants and animals is complex. They depend on each other. Without plants, animals will not have food and shelter. However, if animals do not exist, plants will lose the balanced ecosystem which is critical to their evolvement.

From the above we can know that plants in rainforest are indispensable to animals. Besides, they are also critical to human. To begin with, the plants provide us with large quantity of wood. Throughout the world, the industry is developing with incredible speed. However, development of industry needs plentiful wood with which we can produce goods like firewood and wood pulp or use them for fuel. In addition, they also provide us with various foods like coffee, chocolate, banana, and so on. Last but not least, they can also be treated as medicine. Long before the prescription medicines have made it to the mainstream, most rainforest plants are being used as medicine. In ancient times, they cured a variety of illnesses. Even today, the world still makes use of several plants to produce medicine.

As the valuable natural resources, rainforest plants also create a good atmospheric environment. On one hand, they are the main source of oxygen, which is the indispensable element for all the living things. On the other hand, they absorb a lot of carbon dioxide. As is known to us, the greenhouse effect which is mainly caused by carbon dioxide is serious. However, large numbers of plants in the rainforest can absorb redundant carbon dioxide effectively, which can relieve the problem to some extent.

I can't imagine what our society would be like without rainforest plants. So we have the responsibility to cherish and protect them!

For more information on the Rainforest plants, you can check the information available online, and these will help a lot about Rainforest plants.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fiona_Lee

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rainforest Plants - Bamboo


Rainforest Plants - Bamboo

FAMILY: Gramineae (Poaceae)

SUBFAMILY: Bambusoideae

TRIBE: Bambuseae

SUBTRIBE: bambusinae
Common names: bamboo

General Description: The plant family, Poaceae, includes various grasses all known as Bamboo. Bambusa vulgaris is the best known, being cultivated and distributed widely. It is a tropical bamboo that grows in clumps and is used for paper production.

Location: These grasses are mostly found in the tropics and in Asia where they are quite diverse.
Bamboo grows from rhizomes and usually in clusters that emerge from the thick trunk underground. This plant enjoys longevity, living from 12 to 120 years, during which it produces seeds only once. The seeds are an edible grain. The young shoots of some of the species may be cooked and consumed as vegetables, particularly in Chinese dishes.

Bamboo is occasionally cultivated; however, it is more commonly found growing in wild and protected areas. It is seen in large stands on alluvial flats, generally near water.

Uses: Bamboo was first identified in Madagascar in 1828; between that date and the first half of the 20th century, a total of 27 species was cataloged. Bamboo contributes significantly to the economy in Madagascar.

Locals use many of the species identified in building fences, making baskets, light construction, musical instruments and water containers. In Benin, Bamboo provides raw material for construction purposes. Bambusa vulgaris is the most common bamboo species growing naturally in the rainforest.

Bamboo is a natural erosion-control plant, very effectively reducing stream and riverbank erosion. However, environmentalists in Benin are concerned about exploiting and destroying rainforests; poor use of the land is a major cause of concern. The need for reforestation needs to be emphasized as much as maintaining and growing the economy.

http://www.rainforest-plants.blogspot.com


Rainforest Plants



Rainforest Plants - Introduction

The Tropical Rainforest is earth's most complex biome in terms of both structure and species diversity. It occurs under optimal growing conditions: abundant precipitation and year round warmth. There is no annual rhythm to the forest; rather each species has evolved its own flowering and fruiting seasons. Sunlight is a major limiting factor. A variety of strategies have been successful in the struggle to reach light or to adapt to the low intensity of light beneath the canopy.

The Tropical Rainforest has always been one of the most mysterious and adventurous place to visit. Throughout the whole world, only a few tropical countries are lucky to have tropical rainforest with them, these are Amazon tropical rainforest, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, Indonesia and Malaysia.

When travelling in the tropical rainforest, it's adventurous and mysterious; we definitely want to think about our own safety. Amazon and Africa Tropical rainforest system are similar to the one in Malaysia and Indonesia, but for safety reasons, we always encourage visitors or tourists to visit the 3rd largest island in the world - Borneo.

http://www.rainforest-plants.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayden_Yap