Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Similarities exist between the two Tropical Forest Biomes, as do distinct differ-
ences. Table 1.1 compares the Tropical Rainforest Biome with the Tropical Sea-
sonal Forest Biome describing these similarities and differences.
Tropical Forests contribute far more to the world than just sustaining biodiver-
sity. They provide habitat and homes to indigenous people, a multitude of natural
products such as food, building materials, and medicines, as well as a number
of ecosystem services including soil stabilization and flood prevention. More than
20 percent of the world's oxygen is produced by the Amazon Rainforest of South
America. One-fifth of the world's freshwater is found in the Amazon Basin. Tropi-
cal rainforests are critical in maintaining the Earth's limited supply of fresh water.
These forests are also important sources of carbon storage and play key roles in
both regional and global climates.
Humans and the Tropical Forest Biomes
Deforestation can have devastating effects on the Tropical Forest Biomes of the
world. Deforestation affects biodiversity through habitat destruction, fragmenta-
tion of formally contiguous habitat, and increased edge effects. Species loss is much
greater in the tropics than in any other biome. Continuous and increased occupa-
tion of forested land has created permanent changes to the forest landscape. The
extensive deforestation of tropical forests is a source of greenhouse gases (carbon
dioxide and methane) through forest burning. As forests are cleared, less carbon
dioxide is absorbed and stored through photosynthesis. The addition of human-
caused inputs of carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases into the atmos-
phere has significantly increased since the start of the Industrial Revolution. The
effects of greenhouse gases and global warming could lead to warmer and wetter
tropical areas. However, the expansive losses of forests have changed these effects.
Increased regional albedo (Earth's reflectivity) due to deforestation alters rainfall
patterns in the tropical and temperate latitudes affecting critical climatic processes.
While tropical areas of Asia and Central Africa may see warmer and wetter condi-
tions, tropical areas in South America and West Africa may find the environment
warmer, but drier. Other land use activities destructive to the tropical forests
include gold mining, mineral extraction, conversion for small and large-scale agri-
culture, and livestock ranching. Road building and oil drilling also contribute to
the loss of species and tropical forest integrity. Many emerging countries are home
to the Tropical Forest Biomes of the world; increasing population pressure and eco-
nomic development amplify the stresses put upon tropical forests.
Tropical Forest Biomes are unique environments. They house the richest biodi-
versity in the world. These biomes provide humans with food, shelter, medicines,
and other natural resources. Their life-sustaining processes are crucial in climate
regulation, oxygen production, and water cycling. The fate of these tropical biomes
will affect the fate of the rest of the world.
