Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The animals and plants of the Asian-Pacific Seasonal Forest Biome live in close
relationships with each other and the physical environment. Changes in rainfall or
temperature can greatly affect their survival. Conversion, degradation, and frag-
mentation exacerbate the decline of tropical seasonal forests. Continued increases
in human population, large-scale agriculture expansion, unsustainable forestry,
and illegal poaching of trees and animals are the main reasons for the loss of the
tropical seasonal forests in the Asian-Pacific region.
Human Impact on the Asian-Pacific Seasonal Forests
The Tropical Seasonal Forest Biome is the most threatened of all biomes, and the
forests of the Asian-Pacific region are becoming increasingly vulnerable. In some
parts of this region, up to 90 percent of the forest has been destroyed. In Thailand
and Vietnam, more than 65 percent of the forest has been cleared for shifting culti-
vation, large- and small-scale legal and illegal logging, and conversion for long-
term agricultural goals. Seventy-five percent of the evergreen dry forests in Sri
Lanka have been deforested for agriculture, resettlement, and small-scale logging.
In Southeast Asia, clearing the forest for cash crops such as cotton, rice, teak
farms, and fruit orchards threatens the remaining forests. Other areas have been
cleared for rubber tree, coffee, and tea plantations. Other threats include the exploi-
tation of valuable hardwood trees (like teak) and other plant resources, and ramp-
ant hunting to supply the huge market demand in Vietnam and China.
In India, the primary threats to the remaining seasonal forests are from quar-
ries, coal mines, large-scale clearing for agriculture, and hydroelectric projects.
Shifting cultivation and the local communities' dependence on forest products con-
tinue to degrade the ecological integrity of the forests. Illegal timber operations are
unlawfully removing trees in remaining forests at a rapid rate. In other areas where
the human population is increasing rapidly, urbanization, industrialization, and
agriculture associated with this growing population pose serious threats to the
remaining forest fragments. Small, protected areas become vulnerable to these dis-
turbances, and restoration of degraded areas around these small preserves is
needed to maintain the integrity of these forest remnants.
Seasonal forests are dry for as much as half of the year and can be highly sus-
ceptible to fire. Frequent fires from intentional and unintentional burning can lead
to total loss of the forest, causing desertification and conversion into fire-tolerant,
less species-rich scrublands or dry grasslands.
The tropical seasonal forests of Asian-Pacific region contribute to worldwide
biodiversity. They are vital for the survival of many animals. Seasonal forests
remain largely insufficiently researched. Their rapid destruction presents many
problems in terms of their influence of climate change locally and species extinc-
tion globally.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search