This authoritative volume examines the reasons for rainforest destruction, the effects of deforestation on indigenous plant and animal life, and the policies and actions that are currently being taken to protect rainforests. Rainforests of the World covers everything from the basic biology and chemistry of rainforests and their geographic location to problems, controversies, and solutions. A section highlights people and events like Gifford Pinchot, Lester Brown, Anita Roddick, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and the Kyoto Protocol. The documents provided include the Declaration of Curitiba, the Indigenous People's Declaration, and the North American Free Trade Agreement. The book includes a chronology, charts, tables, and graphs on rainforest destruction; a list of groups working to protect rainforests; an extensive annotated bibliography; and other references.