Natural threats to tropical rainforests.
There are many natural events that pose possibl threats to the functioning and productivity of tropical rainforest biomes. However, the damage caused by these natural occurrences is generally different from that caused by human activities; mostly in that the forest is not completely lost and parts of the ecosystem continue to function. From the remaining surviving parts of the biome after one of these natural events, the forest can usually rapidly regenerate. Three main natural threats include fire, drought and tropical storms, each of which can affect tropical rainforests in different ways.
Fire
Natural forest fires occur in tropical rainforests, despite their humid nature. Generally during a fire, the ground vegetation, shrubbery, saplings and smaller trees are eradicated, leaving the canopy species spared. The fire clears the forest floor and weaker trees (allowing for new growth). Forest fires do not pose a major threat to tropical rainforests (as they usually regenerate), however it can destroy natural habitats for living organisms and affect the population of certain species.
Natural forest fires occur in tropical rainforests, despite their humid nature. Generally during a fire, the ground vegetation, shrubbery, saplings and smaller trees are eradicated, leaving the canopy species spared. The fire clears the forest floor and weaker trees (allowing for new growth). Forest fires do not pose a major threat to tropical rainforests (as they usually regenerate), however it can destroy natural habitats for living organisms and affect the population of certain species.
Drought
Drought can affect tropical rainforests by weakening the ecosystem to the point where it is more susceptible to other events like fire and disease. Drought is often partially caused by human activities like deforestation, but can also be a natural occurrence. If the drought is long enough, leaf litter dries out, killing off decomposers and reducing the effectiveness of nutrient recycling within the system as a whole, therefore affecting all aspects of the biome.
Drought can affect tropical rainforests by weakening the ecosystem to the point where it is more susceptible to other events like fire and disease. Drought is often partially caused by human activities like deforestation, but can also be a natural occurrence. If the drought is long enough, leaf litter dries out, killing off decomposers and reducing the effectiveness of nutrient recycling within the system as a whole, therefore affecting all aspects of the biome.
Tropical Storms
Storms in tropical rainforests can cause extensive damage through tree falls. When a canopy or emergent tree falls, dozens of neighbouring trees, attached by lianas, are brought down with it. The effect of tropical storms can usually be repaired naturally over time, however large enough storms or hurricanes can cause extensive long term damage to the biome and the biodiversity of the ecosystem.
Storms in tropical rainforests can cause extensive damage through tree falls. When a canopy or emergent tree falls, dozens of neighbouring trees, attached by lianas, are brought down with it. The effect of tropical storms can usually be repaired naturally over time, however large enough storms or hurricanes can cause extensive long term damage to the biome and the biodiversity of the ecosystem.