Like other ecosystems, all parts of the rain forest web of life are connected. Think about the Brazil nut tree: This tree depends on pollination by small bees and other insects for life. If this little piece of the tree's ecosystem was missing, the web would break, and there would be few Brazil nut trees. Consequently, people in the Amazon would lose an important food. This would also destroy an international business worth about $50 million a year.
Unfortunately, the web of life of the Amazon is in danger. In fact, 20 percent of the rain forest has disappeared, due to human actions. Local people and international companies are burning forests down to use the land for farms and farm animals. In addition, people around the world use paper and building materials made from millions of rainforest trees. These actions have serious effects on all living things.