Jungle
Along the equator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Congo Rainforest spans about 1.5 million square miles. See more... It's the world's second largest rainforest (only the Amazon is larger). The most famous Congo rainforest people are called Pygmies. Commercial logging and expansion of farming makes it one of most endangered ecosystems in the world.
Five national parks in the Congo Rainforest are UN World Heritage Sites. The Congo rain forest average rainfall is about 58 inches per year. Average temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. It is home to more than 11,000 different species of plants. In dense parts only 1% of the sunlight reaches the ground. Cancer Institutes have identified approximately 1,400 rainforest plants which could potentially be used to fight cancer. We have only learned how to use 1% of these amazing plants, resulting in 25% of our modern medicines. Imagine the possibilities from the other 99%.
We depend on rain forest trees to absorb carbon dioxide we exhale, and to provide oxygen we need. When rainforest trees are burned they release carbon dioxide, which pollutes the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. Deforestation is one of the major drivers of climate change emitting carbon dioxide. NASA satellite images shows the “browning” of the Congo rainforest likely due to the warming of the Atlantic Ocean.
Without rainforests droughts would become more common and would lead to human catastrophe. This rainforest is home to about 450 species of mammals, 300 reptile species, 200 amphibian species, and over 1,000 bird species. The Congo rainforest is the only place in the world where all three subspecies of gorillas can be found. They are the mountain gorilla, lowland gorilla, and the eastern lowland gorilla. Bonobos are found only in the Congo rainforest; they and chimpanzees are humans’ closest relatives – the former peaceful and the latter violent. See less...
