Values of the Rain Forest

Abstract

At least three authors have, independently, tried to outline the range of assets to the world which the tropical rain forests represent (Jacobs 1976a 1978c; Budowski 1976; Poore 1976a). Their ideas cover a wide spectrum, and it may help to summarize them here. We can reduce them to 12 points of varying complexity. The rain forests serve as:

• a) Supply of wood;

• b) Retention of soil;

• c) Regulation of run-off;

• d) Stabilization of climate;

• e) Source of minor forest products;

• f) Pool of new useful plant species;

• g) Pool of genetic material useful in other ways;

• h) Home and food source of animals, and of hunting-gathering tribes;

• i) Matrix of evolution;

• j) Source of knowledge;

• k) Object of respect for the creation;

• l) Medium for education and recreation.