Which rainforest produces half of the world's oxygen?

Cathy is right about no rainforest producing half of the world's oxygen, but she is absolutely wrong about plants not providing a significant amount of oxygen. The truth is that 98% of the world's atmospheric oxygen comes from plant life. Half of that 98% comes from phytoplankton in the oceans. The other half comes from plant-life on the surface. So, no individual rain forest can account for anywhere near half of the oxygen. In fact, it is now believed that rain forests are oxygen neutral meaning they use as much as they produce (after all, there are innumerable species and animals in the rain forest).

William Winner

I don't believe that any rainforest produces anywhere near that amount of oxygen. I am terrible with names, but I had the opportunity to ask a very highly acclaimed and reputable scientist about oxygen-making plants, leaves, etc. His response got my attention. He said that plants do not provide a significant amount of oxygen, and rainforests do not provide a significant amount of oxygen. He said it is a myth that they produce anywhere near a significant amount of oxygen. Probably perpetuated by someone who is trying to save a rainforest, and they are trying to think up reasons why we should think they are valuable and worth saving.

I happen to be a person who loves forests of all kinds, and who wants to see forests instead of shopping malls! However, I love the truth. Very likely the truth about the rainforests is that their greatest value is to provide habitat for marvelous animals and plants. I also believe that people have not fully explored the possibilities inside a rainforest. There are probably new species and varieties of plants, animals, birds, insects, etc. that may potentially be valuable to us.

I believe that a rainforest has a great deal of value to us as the rainforest it is. I don't believe it has much value as a source of oxygen for human beings. But there are so many other great values contained inside the rainforest that I see no reason to try to make up things about it!

Cathy Williams