Reasons to Protect the World’s Tropical Jungles

Melanie Mikecz

Alongside rainforests, it’s just as important to save tropical jungles and arid deserts, which although not local to England, are home to some of the most wonderful and endangered species on earth, and also affect global temperatures and climate change issues.

Jungles are packed with mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Bright-coloured frogs, chameleons, and rare snakes find the shelter and food they need here. Many of these cold-blooded creatures have nowhere else to go if the canopy falls.

Jungles Let the Light In!

Jungles are a bit like rainforests, but instead of having a canopy floor, these let light in to make plants grow, and different types of creatures live in them. In fact, there are so many plants in a jungle, that it would sometimes be difficult to walk in it!

That’s why a lot of jungle animals live in trees (monkeys and even big cats climb trees). Mostly found in central and South America (just like most rainforests), they are nearly all near the Equator so you won’t find any in England!

Some common creatures that live in jungles are:

Jaguars (big cats)
Tigers
Howler monkeys
Cobras

Clearing jungles puts whole populations at risk by taking away their food, shelter, and safe spaces. Protecting their home offers the best chance for these animals to thrive.

Like rainforests, tropical jungles act like the earth’s lungs, by absorbing huge amounts of carbon dioxide, due to tall trees and thick layers of leaves, that soak up greenhouse gases, and store carbon for years.

Many of today’s medicines come from jungle plants. Hundreds of wild plants, roots, and fungi are used to treat everything from fever to cancer. If jungles disappear, so do possible cures and key ingredients for treatments we haven’t even found yet. Common medicines from jungles include: