Almost everyone has heard of the Amazon Rainforest. It is a giant tropical rainforest located in South America. Mostly in Brazil, but also in other countries. It is more than 2 million acres and is the most biodiverse forest on Earth. Meaning it has the most living things. That includes trees, flowers, birds, insects, and many things people have not even discovered yet. The Amazon Rainforest is responsible for 20% of the entire world’s oxygen.
Coral Reefs
The largest and one of the most famous is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. There are many kinds of Coral that live in these reefs. Corals might look like rocks, but they are alive and actually breathe and need oxygen. The reefs provide homes to almost 300 different species of fish, as well as fascinating creatures such as sea turtles and manatees.
Mountain Forests
Mountain forests make up a third of all natural forest cover worldwide. They’re found on all continents with the exception of the Antarctic. They grow beyond an altitude of 500 meters (that’s 1,640 feet above sea level). That location means mountain forests consist of trees that aren’t found in lower-lying areas.
Rivers and Streams
Rivers and streams are created by the run-off of snow and ice accumulated at higher levels and they empty out into our oceans. The biodiversity in rivers and streams is important because they are home to freshwater plants and animals. Clean rivers and streams are also important for drinking water.
Ocean
The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, it influences the weather and is responsible for 70% of the oxygen we breathe. The ocean is home to a huge variety of plants and animals, some of which we haven’t even discovered yet. It is also home to the largest animal species on earth – the blue whale.
