Biological Diversity

We are losing many species of plants and animals because of deforestation. It is estimated that 6,000 species of animals and plants become extinct every year because of deforestation. Forests contain more than half of all species on our planet. These plants and animals depend on the forest for food, water, shelter and living space. Cutting trees for fuel to cure tobacco is destroying the habitats of plants and animals. Some of the plants and animals becoming extinct have not even been identified or classified yet. These are species we do not know anything about. They may have been very important to our environment. Scientists often discover new medicines in plants and animals found in forests. They also can find new chemicals that can be used in manufacturing. But, once a plant or animal becomes extinct, they are lost forever.

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