Discuss three specific environmental consequences of tropical rain forest destruction. Be sure to include why we should be concerned about each of these environmental consequences

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

One environmental consequence of tropical rain forest destruction includes potential extinction of species. Much of the high species diversity in tropical rain forests is a consequence of evolution that has produced very specialized ecological niches. Many of these specialized species thrive within very restricted geographic ranges, making them extremely vulnerable to permanent elimination. Since many of these species have not been identified/studied, we are possibly eliminating species helpful to medicine and/or potential food sources. A second environmental consequence is the elimination of the natural nutrient cycling and productivity, which this great diversity of tropical forest plants represents. When forests are removed, the thin nutrient-poor tropical soils are exposed to the high levels of rainfall, and erosion results. The croplands that often replace the forests are able to grow food for only a short period of time, and when abandoned, results in even further soil erosion. A third consequence of tropical forest destruction is the elimination of their potential to take up and store carbon (in the form of CO2 during photosynthesis). This last concern is of particular issue for climate change, as deforestation is contributing to the increase in the greenhouse gas, CO2, in Earth's atmosphere. Increases in atmospheric CO2 have been directly linked with global temperature increases.