Tropical forests harbor such a rich biodiversity due to stable climatic conditions, a wide variety of present ecosystems, and complex interactions between species that promote diversification and coexistence.
Tropical forests have a warm and humid climate all year round. This warm and consistently well-watered environment allows species to grow, bloom, and reproduce at a rapid pace. The result is a dynamic life cycle that boosts biodiversity. Unlike temperate regions, there is virtually no marked cold season, so there is no need for fauna and flora to take a break or adapt to extreme conditions. This absence of climatic stress promotes a continuous explosion of life, where each species easily finds its niche. Additionally, regular heavy rainfall ensures a constant supply of freshwater, essential for plant diversity and the small creatures that depend on it.
Tropical forests provide a multitude of different habitats within the same area, thus promoting the establishment of many species. On the ground, there are moist, shaded spots, perfect for insects or frogs. Higher up, in the branches, the environment is completely different: more light and wind, attracting birds, monkeys, and tree-dwelling reptiles. Each species occupies a specific ecological niche, meaning a role or specific place in the ecosystem, thus limiting direct competition and allowing a large number of plants and animals to coexist. Watercourses, temporary ponds, or dead trees provide even more unique habitats, further increasing biological diversity in these regions.
The incredible wealth of tropical forests also relies on the close relationships between species. Think of the flowers that depend on specific insects or birds for their pollination: without them, no reproduction is possible. Some animals have developed real cooperation strategies, like birds that feed on the parasites on the bodies of large mammals (just imagine the free buffet for the bird and the cleaning service for the other!). Some plants only disperse their seeds with the help of a single animal. This kind of specialized partnerships drives each species to evolve, favoring the constant emergence of new biological diversities over time.
Tropical forests are like a large buffet open all the time: they contain a vast amount of fruits, leaves, seeds, and insects. This abundance attracts a host of animal and plant species adapted to utilize these nearly unlimited resources. For example, some animals eat only specific plants, while others prefer to hunt insects hidden under bark or in dense vegetation. This constant availability allows many species to coexist without necessarily engaging in direct competition, thus helping to maintain exceptional biodiversity.
Tropical forests are not only dense, they are also structured in several overlapping layers. At the very top, the canopy (the upper layer) receives a lot of sunlight. This area attracts birds, insects, and monkeys adapted to life in the high branches. Just below, there is an intermediate zone with smaller trees, called the understory, where light penetrates less. At the bottom, close to the ground, the shrub layer and the forest floor host a multitude of other species specially adapted to shade and constant humidity. Finally, right on the ground, dead leaves and decaying trunks provide an essential habitat for many insects, fungi, and small, discreet organisms. This very clear vertical distribution is essential because it allows each species to find its own niche, a sort of personalized apartment for each, while still being close to its neighbors.
Some researchers estimate that in just one hectare of tropical rainforest, you can find up to 750 different species of trees, which is more than in all of North America combined!
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "green lung" of the planet, contributes about 20% of the world's oxygen production and plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide.
Some animal and plant species in tropical forests have such a specific symbiosis that they cannot survive independently from one another; if one disappears, the other also goes extinct.
About 25% of our modern medicines, including drugs for cancer and malaria, are derived from substances that were first discovered in tropical forests.
The effective protection of tropical forests requires a combination of approaches such as the establishment of protected areas, the promotion of sustainable economic activities, the fight against illegal logging, and conservation education for local communities and the general public on a global scale.
Tropical forests play a crucial role in regulating the global climate by absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) through photosynthesis. They also help maintain humidity in the air through the process of evapotranspiration, thereby influencing climate patterns on a global scale.
Among the species that reside exclusively in tropical forests are iconic animals such as the jaguar, the orangutan, the resplendent quetzal, brightly colored toxic frogs, as well as many highly specialized species of insects and birds.
The destruction of tropical forests, through deforestation or wildfires, significantly reduces the natural habitats available for a multitude of species. This not only leads to the direct extinction of species but also disrupts the complex interactions between them, thereby threatening the balance of ecosystems.
Yes, tropical rainforests are a vast reservoir of medicinal plants. Many tropical plants and trees are used for their therapeutic properties in both traditional and modern medicine. Some widely used medications today in medicine originally come from tropical plants.
The Amazon rainforest is generally considered the most biodiversity-rich tropical forest. It is home to approximately 10% of the known terrestrial species on Earth, featuring an exceptionally rich array of fauna and flora.
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