Are Rainforests Really the Lungs of the Earth?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Are rainforests really the lungs of the Earth?

The Big Idea

You may have heard that rainforests are the lungs of the Earth, but that saying is mostly a myth. Rainforest plants do make lots of oxygen, but the forest's animals, fungi, and bacteria use up almost as much. Still, rainforests are hugely important!

Plants Make Oxygen

Step one: plants make oxygen. In sunlight, leaves take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. A rainforest has so many leaves that it makes a lot.

Everyone Uses It

Step two: living things use oxygen. Animals, fungi, and bacteria use oxygen when they breathe and break things down. Plants also use oxygen at night, so it nearly balances out.

Other Oxygen Makers

Step three: other oxygen makers. A big share of the oxygen in our air comes from tiny plant-like life in the ocean. Plants all over the world help, too.

A Closer Look

Let's look at the oxygen budget! Plants make oxygen from sunlight. Animals use oxygen when they breathe. Fungi and bacteria use oxygen as they recycle. And tiny ocean life makes a lot of it, too.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Plants breathe too, using oxygen at night. Rainforests still store carbon and keep water moving. They also shelter more kinds of life than anywhere else on land. Draw your chart with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a chart with two columns: makes oxygen, and uses oxygen. Put forest plants, animals, and fungi in the columns. See why they roughly balance. Then share it with a grown-up.

Outro

Rainforests matter for water, wildlife, and carbon, even if they are not the lungs of the Earth. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!