Flying Hybrid Scarlet x Great Green Macaw (Ara macao x militaris), Costa Rica, by G&M Therin-Weise
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World Rainforest Day
2025
By Eesa Lynn
The Rainforest. An ecological treasure so biodiverse that it comprises over 30 million species of flora and fauna. Imagine half of the Earth’s wildlife and approximately 2/3 of its plant life all in one ecosystem. Much of the world’s medicines have been derived from plants found in the rainforest.
Not only are Earth’s rainforests teaming with life, they are also responsible for climate regulation as they absorb Carbon dioxide and return vital oxygen to the air. It is believed that approximately 20% of the Earth’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon alone!
Water stored in the rainforest is cycled back into the atmosphere, creating clouds and mist. This water then falls back to Earth, filling our lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans. The absence of our precious rainforests would lead to catastrophic drought and famine across the globe.
Yet, deforestation from logging, fires, mining, and agriculture continues at an alarming rate with approximately only 36% of the world’s rainforests remaining. We must continue to be vigilant, raising awareness and improving conservation efforts to save this biome so vital to our survival!
Photographs by G&M Therin-Weise