The Earth's species are dying out at an alarming rate, up to 1000 times faster than their natural rate of extinction. By carefully examining fossil records and ecosystem destruction, some scientists estimate that as many as 137 species disappear from the Earth each day, which adds up to an astounding 50,000 species disappearing every year. 3,7 Tropical rainforests contain at least half of the Earth's species. Besides considering the intrinsic value of biodiversity, the human species depends on the rainforest's millions of life forms for its own existence -we, too, are a dependent part of the delicate balance.
Many indigenous people survive directly off of the resources found in the rainforests.
They eat wild game, use the plants for food and medicine, and may identify certain species as a sacred and essential part of their heritage. When these resources are destroyed, the people lose their homes, their food, and their very culture. And they may be forced to look to protected, endangered areas of forest for shelter and food, leading to further destruction and extinction. Also, the genetic diversity found within the rainforests provides invaluable additions to the gene pool which help maintain and improve domestic crops. Wild strains often contain genes which can be crossed with their domesticated counterparts to better protect crops against pests and diseases.