Probably everyone has heard the expression “Forests are the lungs of our planet.” Forests occupy about 1/3 of the land area; the forest area on Earth is 38 million km². By the beginning of the 21st century, humans had destroyed about 50% of the forest areas that previously existed on the planet.
Let's walk through the forests and look at different trees around the world, from Madagascar to Poland, from Scotland to Hong Kong.
1. The very first land plants were discovered in Australia. Their age is approximately 395 million years. About 370 million years ago (the beginning of the Devonian period), vegetation of low shrubby forms became widespread on land. And the very first forests were low-growing forests of giant horsetails and club mosses, more than 7.5 m in height.
South Sumatra, Indonesia. (Photo by Beawiharta | Reuters):
2. About 345 million years ago, the Carboniferous period began, during which dense, extensive forests of giant horsetails and tree ferns, which were about 30 m high, spread over the land.
Pitlochry, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell):
3. This rare tree with the fabulous name “Dragon's Blood” (Dracaena Cinnabari) is very interesting. It got its name from the red resinous juice it exudes. Dracaena vermilion is endemic to Socotra Island.
An old Indian legend says that a long time ago, in the Arabian Sea on the island of Socotra, there lived a bloodthirsty dragon who attacked elephants and drank their blood. But one day an old and strong elephant fell on the dragon and crushed it. Their blood mixed and wet the ground around them. Trees called dracaenas grew in this place. (Photo by Khaled Abdullah Ali Al Mahdi | Reuters):
4. About 225 million years ago, the era of dinosaurs began - the Mesozoic era. In the Triassic and Jurassic periods, the main forest stand was formed by cycads and conifers (many redwoods), and a large number of ginkgos spread.
North Carolina, USA. (Photo by Jonathan Drake | Reuters):
5. At the beginning of the Paleogene period, during the Paleocene era, the climate continued to be warm and humid, which contributed to the diversity of flora and abundance of vegetation, including angiosperm woody plants. The forests of the Northern Hemisphere were similar to modern tropical and temperate forests.
An interesting composition: stone crosses marking the graves of German soldiers at the German War Cemetery in Hoglede, Belgium, are being absorbed by nature over time. Crosses are not a hindrance for the development of a powerful tree. (Photo by Christopher Furlong):
6. And this bush is not hindered by several thousand tons of used tires in a landfill in France. (Photo by Eric Cabanis):
7. In general, as soon as a person finishes his activity, nature immediately takes its toll, growing through anything. (Photo by David Goldman):
8. By the way, half of the forest zone of the Earth. belongs to tropical forests. (Photo):
9. At the end of the Cenozoic period, which began 66 million years ago and was characterized by a wide variety of land, sea and flying animals, conifers began to dominate. The Quaternary period, which ended the Cenozoic era, began approximately 1.8 million years ago and continues today. The alternation of eras of extensive continental glaciations and warm interglacial eras led to the extinction of many species of trees and other plants.
By the way, this is the Tunnel of Love - a natural monument of local importance. It is located near the village of Klevan, in the Rivne district of the Rivne region of Ukraine.
10. Hong Kong. Bricks are not a hindrance to this tree and its roots. (Photo by Clément Bucco-Lechat):
11. The site near Marlborough in southern England is one of the most spectacular places in Britain to see bluebells in spring. (Photo by Toby Melville | Reuters):
12. Over the past 8,000 years, humans have completely cleared about 50% of the forest areas that existed on the planet; these areas are occupied by crops, pastures, settlements, wastelands and other anthropogenic landscapes; of the remaining forests, only 22% consist of natural ecosystems. Moreover, more than 75% of forest destruction occurred in the 20th century.
Snow in Antrim, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan):
13. Beautiful leaf fall in Shaanxi province, China. (Reuters Photo):
14. Another “capture” of territory by nature is a magnificent tree in Guadeloupe. (Photo by Nicolas Derne):
15. This is what the road to the house should look like. Louisiana mansion and oak alley. (Photo by Tim Graham):
16. This tree has been voted one of the most terrifying trees in Britain. It's like mucus is dripping from his mouth. The tree is located near a nursing home. One of the workers says that his children, after seeing this tree, could not sleep peacefully for a week. (Photo by David Garnham):
17. We are all accustomed to a slightly different view of the Great Wall of China. But in reality, in many areas it looks like this. Instead of millions of tourists in many places, the Walls are trees. (Photo by Damir Sagolj | Reuters):
18. And it’s snowing again in Minnesota. Like in the TV series Fargo. (Photo by Scott Olson):
19. It is difficult to convey the impressions of visiting such grandiose places as the Cambodian temple complex. A special place here is the temple of Ta Prohm, where huge trees, reminiscent of centuries-old sequoias or oaks, merge with the walls and towers and hug the stones with giant roots. (Photo by Lucas Schifres):
20. This is what the forest looks like after forest fires. Location south of Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Martin Bernetti):
21. A few years ago in Pakistan there was a massive invasion of spiders, thanks to which you can observe an unprecedented spectacle: they covered roadside trees so thickly with their web that they are barely visible under the accumulation of the finest threads.
The reason for this was the most catastrophic flood in the last 80 years, which affected the lives of millions of people and caused long-term flooding of most of the country. (Photo by Russell Watkins):
22. Well, a very unusual tree trunk in Guangxi, China. Like a web.
23. There is a legend about the unusual appearance of this tree in Africa. One day there was a disagreement between God and the baobab tree. Angry with the tree, God tore it out of the ground and stuck it back upside down. Read more: “Baobab is a tree that grows upside down.” (Photo by Anthony Asael):
24. Buddha's head intertwined with the roots of a tree in the ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya, Thailand. (Photo by Jorge Silva | Reuters):
All-Russian Olympiad for Schoolchildren in Ecology
School stage. 6th grade.
Task No. 1. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. Maximum - 10 points.
Choose one correct answer from the given options:
- An individual is:
a) biological species
b) a single living organism
c) animal community
d) family of living organisms
2. Ecology translated from Greek words means:
A. warmth, light;
B. plants, animals;
V. house, dwelling.
D) environmental protection
3. Birds mark their territories:
a) excrement
b) sounds
c) feathers
d) nests
- The main component of the ecosystem that creates organic matter:
a) plants
b) bacteria
c) mushrooms
d) animals
- Phytocenosis is:
a) different types of animals
b) different types of plants
c) different types of bacteria
d) different types of mushrooms
6. Habitat is:
A. predators that influence organisms.
B. only light that affects organisms;
B. only water that affects organisms;
G. living and inanimate nature influencing organisms;
- Autotrophs are:
a) bacteria
b) plants
c) insects
- The phenomenon of starvation, i.e. mass death of fish is caused by:
a) lack of food
b) lack of oxygen
c) lack of light
9. What features are not typical for the inhabitants of the soil environment:
A. presence of gills;
B. skin respiration;
B. elongated body;
G. burrowing limbs
10. What is the name of the profession of a person who works with animals in nature reserves??
a) huntsman;
b) forester;
c) poacher.
d) observer
Task No. 2. Each correct answer is worth 0.5 points. Maximum - 12.5 points.
Choose several correct answers (from one to five) from the given options:
1. The plant organism is affected by:
A. other plants;
B. animals;
B. inanimate nature;
G. person.
D. bacteria and fungi
2. What types of plants predominate in the coniferous forest:
A. birch;
B. aspen;
V. pine;
G. willows.
Delhi
E. larch
3. Among fish, those with caviar are characterized by low fertility:
A) It is large in size.
B) Guarded by the female.
B) Floats in the water column.
D) Buries itself in the sand.
d) is small in size
4. Which of the measures are most effective in protecting rare species of animals and plants:
a) Protection of each individual individually.
b) Protection of habitats.
c) Protection of breeding sites.
d) Protection of food resources of these species.
e) Growing under artificial conditions.
5. Examples of competition are the relationships between:
a) Predators and prey.
c) Species that use the same resources.
d) Individuals of the same species.
e) symbiotic organisms
Task No. 3. Each correct answer is worth 1 point.
Maximum - 10 points.
Choose the correct judgments:
- The life of organisms outside their habitat is impossible.
- Weeds are less hardy than cultivated plants.
- Species living in strictly defined conditions have broad ecological adaptability.
- Plants of different life forms form tiers.
- Human activity does not affect the living conditions of plants.
- Plants grow throughout their lives.
- Short-day plants come from the northern regions.
- Light is absorbed by the green pigment - chlorophyll.
- Plants need oxygen for respiration.
- Loosening the soil does not affect soil inhabitants.
Task No. 4
Answers to tasks of the All-Russian Olympiad for schoolchildren in ecology
School stage. 6th grade.
Task No. 1.
1-b, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a, 5-b, 6-d, 7-b, 8-b, 9-a, 10-a.
Task No. 2.
1-a, b, c, d, e.
2-c, d, f.
3-a, b.
4-c, d.
5-c, g.
Task No. 3.
1,4, 6, 8, 9.
Task No. 4.
Why are green plants called the “lungs of the planet”? (3 points).
ANSWER: During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. All living organisms use oxygen when breathing. Like lungs, green plants provide all organisms on the planet with the oxygen they need for their life.
Everyone knows that forests are the lungs of the planet. Trees growing in forests, and any other green plants, create organic matter through the process of photosynthesis, using carbon dioxide as a source of carbon, which they absorb from the atmosphere. Oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. Many sources claim that the “lungs of the planet” are the equatorial rainforests of Brazil. But when comparing some indicators, the question involuntarily arises: Does this popular opinion correspond to the truth? In my article I made several comparisons with Russian forests. So what can be called the “lungs” of our planet?
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"LIGHT PLANETS" - BRAZIL OR RUSSIA.
Litvak Nadezhda Anikievna
Geography teacher, Municipal Educational Institution Secondary School No. 5
Everyone knows that forests are the lungs of the planet. Trees growing in forests, and any other green plants, create organic matter through the process of photosynthesis, using carbon dioxide as a source of carbon, which they absorb from the atmosphere. Oxygen is released back into the atmosphere.
Many sources claim that the “lungs of the planet” are the equatorial rainforests of Brazil. Let's make some comparisons with Russian forests.
First, let's compare the total forest area. Brazil's forests cover an area of 480 million hectares, while Russia's forests have a total area of 766.0 million hectares. Thus, comparing the area of forests, the score is in favor of Russia.
Secondly, let’s compare the volumes of deforestation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, deforestation has increased by 8.5 percent in the past decade compared to the 1990s. Asia has the highest rate of deforestation at 1.2% per year since 1990, followed by Latin America at 0.8%, and Africa at 0.7%. However, during the same period, the total area of deforested areas per year in Latin America is 7.4 million hectares, in Africa - 4.1, in Asia - 3.9. Researchers from the Brazilian Institute Imazon found that in the last five months of 2012, the area of Amazon forests decreased by 1.288 thousand square kilometers. This is 127% more than in 2011. The Amazon Research Institute draws these conclusions based on satellite monitoring of the Amazon forest. In addition, the Brazilian Space Agency, which conducts monthly forest assessments, also confirmed a decrease in forest cover from August to October 2012.
The last forests on planet Earth that can still be called virgin, clean and untouched are boreal forests, all kinds of formations of tree and shrub vegetation growing in cold, moderately cold and temperate climates.
Large tracts of relatively untouched forests remain only in Russia and Canada (1.4 billion hectares).
About a quarter of all forests on the planet are located in Russia. These forests make up about 3 of all forests on the planet, which means that they absorb about 3 of the carbon dioxide that is released into the Earth's atmosphere. Of course, the untouched forests of northern Russia are also in danger of destruction. Recently, the situation has begun to change dramatically. But if we take into account the fact that most of these forests are located in Western Siberia where the forest zone is called forest-swamp and the wood is not of high quality, and Eastern Siberia in which the lowest population density, for example, the population density in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is 0, 31h/km 2 , Evenki district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory according to the 2010 census is 0.04 h/km 2 .
Today, these forests remain virtually untouched, and the main reason for this is that the northern regions have very low population densities.
But what is happening now to tropical forests cannot be called “danger” or “trouble.” This is a catastrophe! The earth has already lost half of its selva. And experts are alarmingly predicting that the remaining half could disappear within the next fifty years. Whereas just 50 years ago tropical forests made up 15% of the Earth's surface, today that number is only
6%. It is not difficult to imagine what this percentage will be in 10 years at the current rate of deforestation of rain forests.
It is a proven fact that if deforestation continues at this rate, by 2020 we will lose as much as 90% of all tropical forests. Every day, 200,000 acres of these precious oxygen generators, our planet's natural filter, are destroyed.
10 “record holders” for annual net forest loss from 2000 to 2010: 1 – Brazil, 2 – Australia, 3 – Indonesia, 4 – Nigeria, 5 – Tanzania, 6 – Zimbabwe, 7 – DRC, 8 – Myanmar, 9 – Bolivia, 10 – Venezuela.
Thus, the score in this “confrontation” becomes 2:0 in favor of the Russian Federation.
You can compare such an indicator as the number of roads. In the forested areas of Siberia, there are practically no railways or modern highways; highways connect the interior regions and do not connect to the Trans-Siberian Railway and other transit highways. In Brazil, the Trans-Amazonian Highway is the largest transport route, the length of which is 5.5 thousand kilometers; economic development and settlement of land was carried out at a distance of 20 kilometers along the highway.
The cheapest “roads” for transporting timber are rivers, but in Siberia, unlike Brazil, rivers are covered with ice for 6-7 months of the year, and in this case this gives another point to Russia, and the score becomes 3:0.
Well, the last comparison - if in this case we are talking about forests as the lungs of the planet, then we will talk not only about the amount of oxygen produced, the area of forests and the volume of their deforestation, but also about the ability of forests to purify the air from emissions from industrial enterprises and transport. In this case, the determining factor is the geographical location of the countries and the atmospheric circulation system. Russia and Brazil are located at different latitudes; the main air flows in Brazil are the trade winds that come to Brazil from the tropical latitudes of Africa, across the Atlantic Ocean. Here's what you need to keep in mind:
- Africa is the most backward region of the modern world, in which the share of manufacturing and transport is minimal, and accordingly the amount of emissions into the atmosphere is small.
- The main producers of oxygen live in the ocean. Microscopic ocean algae are actively involved in "oxygen charity." These creatures are so small that it is almost impossible to see them with the naked eye. However, their total number is very large, amounting to millions of billions. The entire world's phytoplankton produces 10 times more oxygen than it needs for breathing. Enough to provide useful gas to all other inhabitants of the waters, and quite a lot gets into the atmosphere. So, the ocean supplies the atmosphere with about 40 percent of the oxygen that phytoplankton produced.
Thus, if we take into account the circulation of the atmosphere, the air that comes to the Amazon is not so dirty and at the same time enriched with oxygen.
Let's consider the situation in Russia: being in temperate latitudes, Russia is influenced by westerly winds that bring air from Europe - one of the most developed regions of the world. High population density, high level of urbanization of countries, dense network of roads and industrial enterprises - all this leads to high levels of air pollution. And all this “air” is moving into the territory of our country. It is the forests of Russia, especially Siberia and the Far East, that are beginning to work “lungly”. Thus, if we talk about forests as the “lungs of the planet,” then Russian forests are the clear favorite. Many environmentalists agree with this. “Russia, which has large forested areas where carbon dioxide is converted into plant fiber carbon and free oxygen, should have preferential quotas to reduce CO2 emissions.”
“It seems appropriate that countries that produce oxygen receive payment for it and use these funds to maintain forests.”
It is noted that within the framework of the UN, proposals from “low-forest” countries (Germany, etc.) to preserve and increase Russian forests in the interests of the entire planet are being considered. And regarding tropical forests, a similar agreement was adopted in the early 90s. Developed northern countries have pledged to pay developing African countries a bonus of $10 for every ton of carbon dioxide converted into oxygen. And such payments began in 1996. “It is estimated that one hectare of forest absorbs about 8 liters of carbon dioxide per hour (the same volume is released when two hundred people breathe in the same time)”
Scientists estimate that 0.6 percent of forest area disappears from the face of the earth every year.
“We advocate for the 2020 ZNDD Programme, which reflects the scale and need to address threats to the world's forests and climate. Achieving the goals of this program will help stop the depletion of forest biodiversity and the decline in the ability of forests to provide ecosystem services, as well as the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.” “We recognize that achieving the goals of the ZNDD is not an easy task, requiring great political will and a lot of attention, especially if the goal is to achieve these goals in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner that respects the interests of people who depend on forests and forest resources. In addition, environmentally and socially sound strategies for implementing such a program will need to be developed at national and local levels.”
Abramson N.G., Bernstein L.G. Global environmental problems of thermal power engineering and cement production // Ecology and industry of Russia. – 2005. – July. – pp. 29-31.
Garin V.M., Klenova I.A., Kolesnikov V.I. Ecology for technical universities. – Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 2001. – 384 p.
Kreinin E.V. Greenhouse effect: causes, forecasts, recommendations // Ecology and industry of Russia. – 2005. – July. – pp. 18-23.
Http://www.rgo.ru/2010/07/zemelnye-resursy-rossii-–-struktura-i-mirovoe-znachenie/ Official website of the all-Russian public organization Russian Geographical Society. Economics and ecology
Ria.ru/ based on materials from RIAN NEWS.
Encyclopedia of Forestry.
http://www.prinas.org/node/389/ Natural heritage.
http://www.gks.ru/ Federal State Statistics Service.
From the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report “Living Forests.”
http://www.latindex.ru/content/articles/4623/
From the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report “Living Forests.”
Yes, I definitely remember from school that forests are the lungs of the planet. There were such posters. They constantly said that the forest must be protected, it produces the oxygen that we breathe. Where are we without oxygen? Nowhere. That is why forests are compared to the lungs of our planet Earth.
And what? Isn't that right?
Yes, not like that. The functions of forests are more reminiscent of the work of the liver and kidneys. Forests provide as much oxygen as they consume. But they cope with the task of cleaning the air and protecting the soil from erosion like no one else.
So what can be called “the lungs of the planet”?
In fact, oxygen is produced not only by those plants that grow in the forest. All plant organisms, including inhabitants of reservoirs, and inhabitants of steppes and deserts, constantly produce oxygen. Plants, unlike animals, fungi and other living organisms, can synthesize organic substances themselves, using light energy for this. This process is called photosynthesis. As a result of photosynthesis, oxygen is released. It is a by-product of photosynthesis. A lot of oxygen is released, in fact, 99% of the oxygen that is present in the Earth’s atmosphere is of plant origin. And only 1% comes from the mantle, the underlying layer of the Earth.
Of course, trees produce oxygen, but no one thinks about the fact that they also waste it. And not only them, all other inhabitants of the forest cannot be without oxygen. First of all, plants respire on their own, this happens in the dark when photosynthesis does not occur. And we need to somehow utilize the reserves of organic substances that they created during the day. That is, feed yourself. And in order to eat you need to spend oxygen. Another thing is that plants spend much less oxygen than they produce. And this is ten times less. However, we should not forget that in the forest there are still animals, as well as mushrooms, as well as various bacteria that do not produce oxygen themselves, but nevertheless breathe it. A significant amount of oxygen that the forest produced during daylight hours will be used by living organisms of the forest to support life. However, something will remain. And this is something like 60% of what the forest produces. This oxygen enters the atmosphere, but does not remain there for very long. Then the forest itself removes oxygen, again for its own needs. Namely, the decomposition of the remains of dead organisms. Ultimately, forests often spend 1.5 times more oxygen to dispose of their own waste than they produce. After this, it cannot be called the oxygen factory of the planet. True, there are forest communities that operate on a zero oxygen balance. These are the famous rainforests.
The tropical forest is generally a unique ecosystem; it is very stable, because the consumption of substances is equal to production. But again, there was no surplus left. So even tropical forests can hardly be called oxygen factories.
So why then, after the city, does it seem to us that there is clean, fresh air in the forest, that there is a lot of oxygen there? The thing is that oxygen production is a very fast process, but consumption is a very slow process.
So what then are the oxygen factories of the planet? There are actually two ecosystems. Among the “land” ones are peat bogs. As we know, in a swamp the process of decomposition of dead matter is very, very slow, as a result of which dead parts of plants fall down, accumulate, and peat deposits are formed. Peat does not decompose, it is compressed and remains in the form of a huge organic brick. That is, during peat formation, a lot of oxygen is not wasted. Thus, swamp vegetation produces oxygen, but consumes very little oxygen itself. As a result, it is the swamps that provide exactly the increase that remains in the atmosphere. However, there are not so many real peat bogs on land, and of course it is almost impossible for them alone to maintain the oxygen balance in the atmosphere. And here another ecosystem helps, called the world ocean.
There are no trees in the world's oceans; grasses in the form of algae are observed only near the coast. However, vegetation still exists in the ocean. And most of it consists of microscopic photosynthetic algae, which scientists call phytoplankton. These algae are so small that it is often impossible to see each of them with the naked eye. But the accumulation of them is visible to everyone. When bright red or bright green spots are visible on the sea. This is phytoplankton.
Each of these little algae produces enormous amounts of oxygen. It consumes very little itself. Due to the fact that they rapidly divide, the amount of oxygen they produce increases. One phytoplankton community produces 100 times more per day than a forest occupying the same volume. But at the same time they spend very little oxygen. Because when algae die, they immediately fall to the bottom, where they are immediately eaten. After that, those who ate them are eaten by other, third organisms. And so few remains reach the bottom that they quickly decompose. There is simply no decomposition that lasts as long as in the forest, in the ocean. There, recycling occurs very quickly, as a result of which oxygen is virtually not wasted. And so the “big profit” occurs, and so it remains in the atmosphere.
sources
I think each of us has heard the expression: “Forests are the lungs of our planet.” Indeed, this is so, but unfortunately these very “vital organs of the Earth” have been cut down at an unrealistic rate over the past 30 years. The statistics are as follows: every 2 seconds, on planet Earth, a part of the forest the size of a football field is cut down. Due to this, some species of animals and plants are disappearing.
The world-famous organization "Greenpeace" claims that by 2050, the extinction of animals and plants will be 1000 times faster than now.
It will be a pity to part with such beauty...
I think each of us has heard the expression: “Forests are the lungs of our planet.” Indeed, this is so, but unfortunately these very “vital organs of the Earth” have been cut down at an unrealistic rate over the past 30 years.
“The lungs of our planet” are located in the Amazon. The Amazon rainforest is the most powerful producer of oxygen on Earth. The Amazon covers approximately 7,000,000 square kilometers in 9 countries - Brazil (60%), Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
The Amazon represents more than half of the remaining tropical forests in the world, and they grow around the largest river in the world of the same name, making the entire Amazon region a unique center of the planet. At the same time as all this, the biodiversity of this area is amazing, although most of the Amazon has not even been studied yet.
Both flora and fauna surprise with their richness. Imagine that there are over a MILLION different species of plants and animals living here.
According to scientists, in 10 square meters of tropical forest there are one and a half thousand species of flowers, 750 species of trees, 125 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and countless insects.
On the picture: Red-green macaw
San Rafael Falls is the largest waterfall in Ecuador. The Salado River plunges into the gorge in two steps from a height of 150 meters and 100 meters, creating a stunningly beautiful view.
Water star in the Amazon. Victoria amazonica, named after the English Queen Victoria, is a typical plant of the Amazon. They can reach 2 meters in diameter and can support the weight of a small child without the water lily drowning. The flowers of Victoria Amazonica are submerged underwater and emerge only once a year during a bloom that lasts only a couple of days. There is a legend that says that once upon a time there lived a girl who loved to look at the night sky. She thought that the Moon might come and take her to the sky to admire the stars. One night, she leaned towards the river and saw the reflection of the moon in the water. Enchanted by it, she fell into the river and disappeared under the water, and the image of the moon in the water turned into a flower. That's why the Victoria Amazonian flower is called the "Star of Water".
On the Tambolpata River, in the Peruvian Amazon, a group of children were playing soccer on a tiny sand island in the middle of the river.
Three-toed sloth. Locals believe that a pregnant woman should not look at him, otherwise her child will look like him.
Yacumana and Chullachaqui are two demons from local legends. Yakumana is a water demon, and Chullachuki can transform the facial expressions of any person. Look at his legs, this is how you can identify him - he always has one big leg.
The Amazon rainforest, also known as the Amazon, is one of the world's most valuable natural resources. Because its vegetation continuously converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, it has been called "The Lungs of Our Planet." About 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.
About 15 million years ago, the Amazon flowed west into the Pacific Ocean. When a South American tectonic plate crossed with another, the slowly rising Andes Mountains blocked the river's flow. As a result, lakes were formed and the Amazon basin changed greatly, then, about 10 million years ago, the river found its way east towards the Atlantic.
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