“International Day of Tropical Forests”

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June 22nd marks International Rainforest Day, an observance proclaimed in 1999 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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Tropical forests are fundamental ecosystems for life on the planet, and they contribute to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus acquiring great importance for environmental conservation.

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However, these forests are in grave danger due to the serious threats that loom over them, such as habitat fragmentation and the alteration of biodiversity, caused by human activity. Annually, 10 million hectares of forest are lost, an alarming figure that must be stopped.

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World Rainforest Day 2024: the year of action

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A theme is developed annually for the World Rainforest Day campaign. This year, 2024, the theme is “The year of action”.

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We recommend reading:August 4: International Clouded Leopard Day, a call for the conservation of a majestic species

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We are all invited to take action, for a future with tropical forests on a prosperous planet.

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Where are tropical forests located?

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Tropical forests are terrestrial ecosystems that develop in high-temperature regions and are called macrothermal. They are considered hygrophilous areas due to their humid environment.

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These vast wooded areas have been generated by natural succession. They are very important for the preservation of life on the planet, which includes more than 15 million species of trees, shrubs, and climbing plants. Because they are located in warm climates with high humidity, they harbor a great variety of exuberant flora and fauna.

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They are located between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer, near the equatorial line, in countries in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. This is because the levels of natural lighting and temperature are constant throughout the year.

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Some types of tropical forests are as follows:

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• Tropical Rainforest: are forests without dry seasons and with rainfall of more than 2,500 mm. The Amazon contains the largest expanse of tropical rainforest in the world.
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• Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest: are less biodiverse forests, with annual rainfall of 1,000 to 2,000 mm.
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• Tropical Dry and Semi-Dry Forest: have annual rainfall of 500 to 1,000 mm, with extensive periods of drought. They are found in Africa.
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• Tropical Forest formations in highlands: are located on hills or mountains, with altitudes above 800 meters above sea level. In Latin America, they are located in the Andes Mountains.
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Benefits offered by tropical forests

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The benefits that tropical forests provide to the planet and our daily lives are invaluable. They play a relevant role in the eradication of poverty and the achievement of development goals, as foreseen in the Sustainable Development Goals. We mention some of their benefits below:

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• They are the habitat for thousands of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
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• They contribute significantly to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air.
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• They regulate the water cycle, helping to prevent floods.
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• They are vital for countering climate change, as they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2).
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• They help prevent soil erosion.
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• They constitute the habitat for more than 80% of animal and plant species.
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• They provide raw materials for the production of food, medicine, and fuel.
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• They enhance the physical and mental well-being of people, benefiting our immune system, reducing blood pressure, and providing an ideal environment for relaxation.
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What are the dangers facing tropical forests?

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These large forested areas face the following risks and dangers, caused mainly by human activity, coupled with the absence of sectoral policies and guidelines by some governments and nations for the protection of tropical forests:

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• Forest fires.
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• Invasion of forested areas for the establishment of illegal community settlements.
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• Construction of infrastructure.
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• Proliferation of illicit crops.
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• Indiscriminate deforestation of forested areas, which contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases, affecting global warming and climate change.
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Did you know?

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Below we mention some interesting facts about tropical forests:

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• A tree releases between 8 and 10 times more moisture into the atmosphere.
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• Forests contain more than 80% of terrestrial biodiversity.
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• More than 1,000 plant species used for medicinal purposes are located in the Amazon rainforests.
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• Tropical forests cover at least 3% of the Earth’s land area.
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• According to a study published by the International Journal of Oncology, approximately 60% of the drugs used against cancer and for the treatment of other diseases (cardiac conditions, rheumatism, hypertension, arthritis, among others) come from plants in tropical forests.
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• Millions of hectares of tropical forests are lost annually, caused by human activity.
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• The United Nations estimates that more than 25% of the global population depends on forest resources for their subsistence.
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How to celebrate World Rainforest Day?

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Share useful and interesting information about International Tropical Rainforest Day on social media, using the hashtags #internationaltropicalrainforestday #tropicalrainforests.

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World Rainforest Day. History and slogans

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2023: Conserve. Restore. Regenerate.

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In 2023, the theme is “Conserve. Restore. Regenerate”.

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2022: “The time is now”

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For 2022 the theme was: “The time is now”. Additionally, a free virtual Global World Summit was organized for all those interested.

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2021: “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”

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For the year 2021 the central theme of the campaign was “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”.

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The intention was to raise awareness about the loss and degradation of forests worldwide, generating large amounts of gases that cause global warming.

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The execution of actions aimed at the restoration and sustainable management of tropical forests will significantly benefit the climate and biodiversity, generating goods and services necessary for the sustainable development of nations.

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In addition to the execution of this campaign, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) stands out, with the aim of making a global call to join efforts in the protection and recovery of ecosystems.

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