Why do rainforests matter? You asked Google – and here’s the answer | Tim Flannery
by Tim Flannery from on (#DMY1)
People turn to Google for answers to some of the world's most pressing issues. Our writers answer some of the most common queries
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Rainforests cover 6% of Earth's land surface, yet they are home to 50% or more of all land-based species, perhaps half of which remain to be discovered and named by scientists. Relatively few people have experienced pristine, undisturbed rainforest at first hand, but many of those who have are awed by the soaring cathedral of life they find themselves in. The subdued light, the constant temperature and humidity, and often the quiet, add to the awe. The capacity for rainforests to moderate the climate embody the Gaia hypothesis - the concept that the Earth self-regulates to create the conditions to support life.
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