Graphics missing Depletion of rainforests: negative effects on the environment IntroductionThe depletion of tropical rainforests by third world countries, as well as by American industry, has been a growing area of ​​concern for many environmental organizations. Animal rights activists are furious at the frightening rate at which species are becoming extinct in these regions. Environmentalists argue that foliage is disappearing at such a rate that replanting programs will never be able to compete. Environmentalists and meteorologists fear that eliminating huge amounts of surface area will lead to a long list of problems, including global warming, anomalous precipitation patterns and unpredictable weather systems, to name a few. While many of these negative effects on regional ecosystems and the planet as a whole may not be immediately apparent, studies show that if the rate at which these forests are cut down or burned continues at this rate, they will eventually occur. The intent of this article is to focus on some environmental concerns regarding their causes, long-term effects, and what can and should be done to prevent them. What is a "tropical rainforest"? A forest can be classified in several ways. To be considered a tropical rainforest, the region must:1. They are located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.2. Maintain a temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.3. They have between 80 and 400 inches of rain per year. This map shows regions that meet these criteria (highlighted in green): Rainforests can be further divided into categories depending on how far above sea level they are, but for our purposes we'll focus on al... ... half of the sheet ......e. Numerous organizations are dedicating their time and effort to raise awareness and fight the industry which, through its recklessness, continues to exploit the resources that rainforests have to offer. Despite their efforts, the destruction of these vital ecosystems continues at an alarming rate. Every day more and more species die and we continue to pump large quantities of harmful gases into the atmosphere, leaving no natural means to purify the air we breathe. River basins are drying up because rainfall levels are decreasing with the absence of the foliage that stimulated them. Some might argue that the short-term benefits to those who use forests to survive outweigh the potential long-term risks. In any case, the possible results are certainly disturbing and should deserve more attention than is currently being paid.