In addition to being one of our most precious natural resources, tropical rain forests are among the most endangered habitats on earth. In this section we look at the principal threats to the rain forests, particularly those located along the meridian line, focusing specifically upon deforestation, poaching, and bush meat.


Conservation - the future

If the world's rain forests are to thrive, people must learn to use them carefully. WWF is involved in projects throughout the world which aim to help people use forests of every description wisely. These include schemes to help local people harvest timber and other forest products sustainably, process them locally, and market them for their own benefit.

It is vital that everyone understands how important forests are. If we destroy them, we are in danger of causing great havoc on the planet. And if we do that, all life on earth is in peril.