Tropical Forests

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Context:

Ozone pollution slows tropical forest growth by halting carbon absorption.

Tropical Forests

• Tropical forests are forested ecoregions with tropical climates that is, land areas approximately bounded by the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
• This includes a very diverse array of forests, including moist or rain forests, mangroves, montane forests, dry forests and wooded savanna systems.

Distribution and Climate

• Tropical forests stretch through 50 countries around the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
• Two-thirds of these forests, 5 billion acres, receive 4 to 10 m (13.2-33 ft.) of rain a year and average 26.6°C (80°F) at the forest floor. These are the true rain forests.
• Further away from the equator, semi-deciduous forests receive less rain, only 1 to 4 m (3.3-13.2 ft.).
• Many trees loose their leaves during the drier seasons.
• Because these seasonal forests are more open to sunlight part of the year, the understories have denser plant growth.
• According to Food and Agricultural Organization there were 1803 million ha of tropical forest in 2000, 49% in tropical America, 34% in tropical Africa and 16% in tropical Asia.

Significance

• Biodiversity: Tropical forests cover just 6% of the planet’s land surface but are some of the richest, most biodiverse places on Earth.
  • • Tropical forests have a net primary productivity of 2–3 kg m-2 y-1 or higher.
    • 80% of the world’s documented species live in tropical rainforests
• Climate regulation/Earth’s Heat budget: They act as natural sponges that absorb heat and regulate precipitation, which is crucial for the balance of the environment.
  • • Studies estimate that tropical forests alone are responsible for holding back more than 1 degree C of atmospheric warming.
    • 75% of that is due simply to the amount of carbon they store.
    • The other 25% comes from the cooling effects of shading, pumping water into the atmosphere and creating clouds, and disrupting airflow.
• Soil conservation: They regulate water flow and prevent flooding and erosion. 
  • • Due to the hot and humid climate, rainforest soil is rich in different types of fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms that help break down dead plants and animals.
    • This process, called decomposition,  enriches the soil and helps with new growth.
• Water regulation/water cycle: These tropical forests are a significant part of global water cycle as they release released abundant moisture into the atmosphere. 
• Medicinal plants: 70% of plants with anti-cancer characteristics are found solely in rainforests. Some rainforest plants are responsible for 25% of drugs currently used in Western medicine, such as quinine, novocaine, tubocurarine, vincristine and cortisone. 
• Timber and non-timber forest products: Humans use at least 40,000 species of plants and animals daily for food, shelter, clothing, and medicinal needs. A significant part of these products either originated from or are grown in these tropical forests. 

Threat to the forests

• The growth of populations in countries with rainforests.
• An increase in worldwide demand for tropical hardwoods has put a greater strain on the rainforests.
• Cattle Grazing in South America.
• Soya plantations in South America.
• Palm oil plantations in Indonesia.
• Mining.
• Logging interests cut down rainforest trees for timber used in flooring, furniture, and other items.
• The paper industry turns huge tracts of rainforest trees into pulp.
• Hydroelectric dams in South America.

Conservation efforts

• Indigenous Communities: Indigenous communities play an invaluable role as guardians of tropical rainforests across the Americas, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
• Community forest patrols monitor and defend territories against illegal logging, mining, poaching, and land grabbing.
• Conservation Organizations: International NGOs like the World Wildlife Fund, the Rainforest Alliance, and so on work with local organizations to advance science-backed conservation in endangered rainforests.
• Governments: Government-led interventions like Brazil’s efforts to combat illegal logging have achieved substantial reductions in Amazon deforestation over the past fifteen years when adequately funded and supported by leadership.
• Protected Areas: Eco-certification drives best practices for timber concessionaires while financing reforestation.
• Agroforestry training helps smallholder farmers increase yields, income, and food security while maintaining forest cover through shade-grown cocoa, coffee, and tea cultivation.

Read about Ozone Pollution: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/ozone-pollution-in-delhi

Read about Ozone: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/ozone

Source:

https://fundtheplanet.net/rainforest-conservation/the-battle-to-save-tropical-rainforests-conservation-efforts-and-progress-made/#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20conservation%20efforts,%2C%20and%20community%2Dbased%20conservation.

https://www.green.earth/blog/why-are-tropical-rainforests-important

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_forest

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Examine the significance of tropical forests as biodiversity hotspots and carbon reservoirs. Discuss the threats faced by these vital ecosystems. 150 words.