Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems - Essay Example

? A system where a variety of species of living things cohabit, and interact with one another and the non living elements of the environmentis known as an ecosystem. An ecosystem can be as small as a pond or as large as a rainforest. Rainforest ecosystems are some of the world’s greatest natural resources, with an amazing variety of life forms that include an abundant species of plants, animals, reptiles, birds and insects. These forest ecosystems in addition to being home to this wide variety of life forms are essential in helping to generate the oxygen that is so vital to mankind. Unfortunately man’s greed has depleted large swathes of rainforests, resulting in global warming and climate changes that threaten not only the extinction of a large number of plants and animals, but also human inhabitants like the local tribal people. Saving these rainforest ecosystems and rehabilitating forest lands is critical to ensure clean air and a healthy environment for all. Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems An ecosystem is a community of living organisms, as well as the non living components in their environment, on whom they depend for their needs. Nutrients and energy that are obtained from the environment are used so as to maintain an ecosystem. An ecosystem consists of various species and each of them has a relationship with other species that cohabit the ecosystem. Ecosystems are of various types and are determined by the prevailing climatic conditions which in turn define the vegetation and the variety of life forms found there. Examples of ecosystems are rainforests, grasslands, deserts, and water ecosystems like marine or freshwater ecosystems. Ecosystems can be divided into their biotic or living components like primary producers that are green plants, herbivores, carnivores etc; and the abiotic or non living components like sunlight, temperature, moisture and so on. There is a continuous input of energy into an ecosystem in the form of sunlight that leads to photosynthesis in primary producers and is passed on through the food chain. Rainforests are restricted to an area between the tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Tropical rainforests usually found near the equator are those distinguished by high temperatures and heavy rainfall. The Amazon rainforest, also known as Amazonia is the largest rainforest in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the lungs of the planet, due to its capacity to recycle large quantities of carbon dioxide into oxygen. Situated in South America, the Amazon rainforest covers more than half of Brazil and is the drainage basin for the Amazon river and its tributaries. Its proximity to the equator ensures plenty of heat and sunlight, which in turn generates rain that provides the moisture. High temperatures, and abundant rainfall throughout the year, results in a climate that is warm and humid. These are ideal conditions for the growth of all types of vegetation including a wide variety of trees, plants shrubs and other vegetation, which attracts innumerable birds, insects and animals. Hence rainforests are rich in their biological diversity and home to myriads of animal, bird and insect species. Biodiversity is important to the environment because it increases productivity in an ecosystem, where every species, no matter how tiny, contributes to the health and well being of the ecosystem. As Ban Ki Moon (2010) rightly points out “Biodiversity underpins the functioning of the ecosystems on which we depend for food and fresh water, health and recreation, and protection from natural disasters.” (Ban Ki Moon, 2010) The Amazon rainforest consists of four layers, the emergent layer, the canopy, the shrub layer and the forest floor. The emergent layer consists of the tallest trees, some that are over 50 meters in height. The leaves of these trees are smooth and waxy and taper to what is known as a drip tip to allow water to drip off it to the layer below. The canopy is below the emergent layer and is a sea of leaves. Since the tallest trees and the canopy of leaves blocks sunlight to the layers below, every tree, shrub and vine competes to reach the sunlight or as much of it as it needs to produce food. The trunks of trees under the canopy are usually bare as there is not enough sunlight for leaves to sprout. The shrub layer has the densest growth of ferns, shrubs and other vegetation that requires minimal sunlight; while the forest floor is usually dark as no sunlight penetrates, and damp due to rain that continuously drips on the floor from the canopy of leaves above. It consists of a layer of rotting leaves and the remains of dead animals, known as litter that decomposes rapidly due to the heat and humidity and is rich in nutrients. Scientists are of the opinion that the canopy in the Amazonian rainforest may be home to over half the world’s species of animal life, including animals, lizards, reptiles, birds and insects. The competition to survive is fierce and all forms of life have adapted in order to survive. Man however, is the greatest threat to the survival of both the rainforests and the innumerable species of life that form part of this great ecosystem. Emissions of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming are a result of the clearance of rainforests. It is estimated that around 20% of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed due to man’s callous attitude towards his environment. Deforestation, that clears land for mining and logging, agriculture, and sometimes for cattle ranches or burning it down for charcoal for power; has seen the depletion of a host of natural resources that are beneficial to humans. Wood, medicinal plants, honey, cocoa, and a variety of natural insecticides, herbicides and pesticides are being slowly becoming scarce. Cutting down forests results in soil erosion. The roots of trees hold the soil together, and once trees are cut, the loose soil is washed away with rainwater. Valuable medicinal plants found in these rainforests are becoming extinct and the local tribal people whose livelihood depends on forests are being forced to find alternatives. These natives who have knowledge of the properties of medicinal plants and their ability to cure diseases are fast disappearing, and taking with them a wealth of knowledge that can enable scientists to discover new drugs for a range of human ailments. As such activities continue, they disrupt the balance of the earth’s ecosystems, resulting in global warming, climate change and soil erosion, producing barren areas. Experts predict that higher temperatures will result in reduced rainfall that will lead to drought. Peter Cox, professor of climate system dynamics at the University of Exeter, says “The tropics are drivers of the world's weather systems and killing the Amazon is likely to change them forever”. (Cox, 2009 as quoted by David Adam in The Guardian) Rainforests are like thermostats regulating weather patterns and temperatures. Hence a sincere effort to reclaim and preserve them is the need of the hour. Imparting education about the importance of the Amazon rainforest and working with local people and organizations is an important step in this direction. Motivating people to carry out sustainable farming methods, providing the local people with economic alternatives and helping tribal people to live as they always have in harmony with nature, is a viable solution to the dilemma. Each one of us can do our bit to save these rainforests. Avoiding purchase of furniture that is made of tropical woods, supporting companies that protect rainforests and if possible donating to organizations like World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy, are some steps all of us can take. Supporting people who live in rainforests and buying crafts made by them is a simple method of contributing to preserving this ecosystem. Sharing concerns with friends and educating others about this vast natural resource and the importance of saving it for future generations, can go a long way in conserving this important ecosystem. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2010) has rightly observed that “Humans are part of nature's rich diversity and have the power to protect or destroy it.” (UN News Centre, 2010). Urgent steps in retracting and rehabilitating rainforests are the need of the hour and even baby steps in this direction will go a long way in ensuring clean air and a healthy environment for all. References Ban Ki Moon Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 page 5, 2010 Foreword by United Nations Secretary-General Retrieved from Cox Peter 2009, March 11 Quoted by David Adam in The Guardian Amazon could shrink by 85% due to climate change, scientists say Retrieved from UN News Centre January 2010 UN Opens Biodiversity Year with Plea to Save World’s Ecosystems. Retrieved from Read More