Tropical Rainforests

• Ecological features

  • High biodiversity
  • High light levels
  • Constant warm temperatures
  • Regular high rainfall
• Importance 


  • Resources - Timber, fibres, resins, oils, waxes, food, medicines
  • Climate maintenance - increases downward rainfall, high amounts of carbon sequestration
  • Soil maintenance - dead vegetation decays rapidly so nutrients are absorbed quickly
• Threats


  • Fuelwood collection
  • Timber harvesting - use in construction and furniture
  • Clearance for alternative land uses - subsistence agriculture, commercial agriculture, mineral extraction, reservoirs, climate change, tourism
• Conservation efforts 


  Many protected areas have been established to conserve tropical rainforests e.g. Cameroon, Brazil, Belize

  • Debt for nature swaps - debts will be cancelled in return for conservation of a habitat