"The world's rainforests have been called the 'lungs' of the Earth, because the trees and plants found in rainforest areas produce approximately 40 percent of the world's oxygen. Rainforests are areas of woodland that receive more than 60 to 80 inches (150 to 200 cm) of rain a year. Most rainforest lies in the tropics, but there are also temperate rainforests in many cooler parts of the globe. The world's rainforests are rich in plant, animal, and insect life, but they are threatened by development"--Back cover.
