Read the following passage and answer the question below. The Amazon rainforest, spanning across nine countries in South America, is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth and home to an estimated ten percent of all known species on the planet. Often referred to as the 'lungs of the Earth,' the Amazon plays a critical role in regulating the global climate by absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. Despite its ecological importance, the rainforest faces severe threats from deforestation driven by cattle ranching, logging, and agricultural expansion, with large sections cleared every year. Scientists warn that continued deforestation could push parts of the Amazon past a tipping point, transforming lush rainforest into drier savanna-like landscape unable to support the same biodiversity. Indigenous communities, who have lived sustainably within the Amazon for thousands of years, are increasingly recognized as essential partners in conservation efforts, as their traditional knowledge of the forest often informs effective protection strategies. Question: According to the passage, approximately what percentage of known species does the Amazon rainforest host?
- A. Ten percent ✓
- B. Five percent
- C. Fifty percent
- D. Twenty-five percent
Correct answer
A. Ten percent
Explanation
The passage states the Amazon is home to an estimated ten percent of all known species.