Biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Biodiversity in tropical rain forests

Tropical rain forests are areas of evergreen trees and high amount of rainfall per year. They are found along the equator and have tropical climates. Biodiversity is said to be the varieties of species of organisms that are found in an area. This essay purposes to discuss biodiversity and its role in the tropical rain forest.

The variety of species in tropical rain forests helps in the maintenance of a food chain (Terborgh, 1992). It contributes to the maintenance of the ecosystem. For example, plants are the primary consumers. Animals usually depend on the plants for theiroxygen and food, while they give out carbon dioxide for plant consumption. Further, enrichment of the soil is aided by the action of micro-organisms. At the very top of the chain, human beings get livelihood from the other organisms.

The other role of biodiversity is the provision of building materials and medicines (Bawa & Seidler, 2008). Plants, for example, have been used for a long time as building materials. Further, the development of human medicines and animal medicines rely on plants, and micro-organisms. An example is anti-malaria penicillin extracted from Penicillium fungi.

Another role of diversity is in the sustenance of life. Many people have earned employment courtesy of biodiversity (Terborgh, 1992). For example, the soil micro-organisms in rainforests enrich the soil with nutrients. This facilitates plant growth, which leads to success of agriculture, through which many human beings earn a living. In addition, free ecological balance and a healthy atmosphere is a result of ecological biodiversity.

In conclusion, this essay has looked at biodiversity in relation to tropical rainforests. It has discussed the role of biodiversity in tropical rainforests. Maintenance of the food chain, provision of medicines and building materials, and sustenance of life, have been identified as contributions of biodiversity. For these benefits to be continually enjoyed, biodiversity needs to be preserved.

References

Bawa, S.K.,& Seidler, R. (2008). Natural forest management and conservation of diversity in Tropical forests. Conservation Biology, 12(1): 45-55

Terborgh, J. (1992). Diversity and the tropical rainforest. New York, NY: Scientific American Library