The lungs of the planet

Read the article about tropical rainforests.

What is the connection between rainforests and biodiversity?

Find examples of how one thing is connected to another in the text.

Answer explanation

1. Rainforest → Biodiversity

"Although tropical rainforests cover only around 6% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to more than half of all plant and animal species in the world."
Connection: The unique conditions of rainforests support high biodiversity.

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2. Photosynthesis → Oxygen Production

"Through photosynthesis, rainforest plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to regulate the Earth's atmosphere."
Connection: Photosynthesis in plants leads to the production of oxygen and the reduction of CO₂.

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3. Deforestation → Environmental Damage

"Unfortunately, tropical rainforests are being destroyed at an alarming rate due to deforestation, agriculture, and mining. This leads to loss of species and contributes to climate change."
Connection: Human actions (deforestation) cause negative environmental impacts like species loss and climate change.

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4. Rainforest Layers → Animal Habitats

"The rainforest is made up of four layers: the emergent layer, the canopy, the understory, and the forest floor. Each layer provides a different habitat for various animals and plants."
Connection: The structure of the rainforest creates multiple habitats, supporting diverse life forms.

Can you think of any other connections dependencies there are in the world?

What do animals depend on?

What do plants depend on?

What do we depend on?

Answer explanation

What do animals depend on?
Animals depend on plants for food (directly or indirectly), water to stay alive, oxygen to breathe, and shelter from predators or bad weather. Some also depend on other animals (e.g. predators for population control, or symbiotic relationships like cleaner fish and sharks).

What do plants depend on?
Plants depend on sunlight for energy, water to grow, carbon dioxide from the air for photosynthesis, and soil for nutrients. Some plants also rely on animals for pollination (like bees) or to spread their seeds (like birds or bats).

What do we (humans) depend on?
We depend on plants and animals for food, trees and plants for oxygen, clean water, and a stable climate. We also rely on healthy ecosystems like forests and oceans to regulate weather, filter air, and support life on Earth. In fact, much of our medicine and even the air we breathe comes from places like the rainforest.

Plants take ........ carbon dioxide.

Plants take ..... water from the ground.

Plants take ...... sunlight.

Carbon dioxide and water are converted ...... glucose and oxygen.

Plants release oxygen ...... the air.

The following words are used in the article.

Match them to their correct definition.

• A type of sugar made by plants as food

• carbon dioxide

• A gas released by plants during photosyn

• waste product

• A gas taken in by plants during photosyn

• oxygen

• somthing made but not needed

• grucose

• process used to make food from sunlight

• photosythesis

How many different types of animals and plants live in the rain forest?