1. The Amazon Rainforest
What makes it so special?
By Jeanie Robinson
For GMS

2. What makes the rainforest special?
• With your partner list two
things (or more) that
make the Amazon
rainforest a special place.
• It is the largest
rainforest in the world.
• It produces oxygen.
• It is known for its
diversity.
• It is being destroyed.

3. The No. 1 Environmental crisis
Deforestation is the number one
crisis facing the planet today.
Deforestation is the widespread
destruction of forests.

4. • Since 1970 600,000 square miles have been
destroyed
• About the size of Greece.

5. • One and one-half acres of rainforest are
lost every second.
– That is the size of 1 ½ football fields.
– Think…One Mississippi
– How many acres is that per day??

6. Causes
• The Government
• You and your partner
should look in your
textbook to see what
happened to the
Capital of Brazil.
• p.215
• Encouraged people to
move inland
• Has seen the
rainforest as a way to
improve economy
– Moved capital
– Relocated poor famers
– Logging companies
– Roads and highways

7. Results
• Deforestation
• Loss of habitat
• Loss of wood needed for cooking
• Less rain in the local area
• Temperature fluctations globally
• More frequent flooding on Amazon
• Loss of important human products

8. What do you think?
• Why should we keep our rainforest?
• What is the most important issue?
• Lets spend some time on our wikispace so
that you can voice your opinion!

9. • http://www.solcomhouse.com/rainforest.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation
• www.greenpeace.org.uk/MultimediaFiles/Live/Image/
• www.fortunecity.es/losqueamamos/gordo/64/ima
ges/tandq.jpg
• http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchang
e2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html

10. Our Wikispace
• We are going to visit our wikispace
• Your job is to look at the websites and
then make a list of what YOU think are the
most important Rainforest Issues.
• www.gms6teacher.wikispaces.com