ThreatsThreats & Impacts
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 3.4.1
Threats to Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems and Their Management
Tropical rainforest ecosystems suffer from deforestation and resource exploitation, damaging biodiversity and the climate. Management strategies reduce these impacts and protect rainforests.
Main threats to tropical rainforests
- Logging and road building cause large-scale deforestation.
- Cattle ranching clears forests for grassland.
- Slash-and-burn farming removes tree cover.
Additional threats to rainforests
- Hydroelectric dams flood forest areas, harming habitats.
- Expanding human settlements fragment ecosystems.
- Mining and resource extraction damage forest structure.
Impact on biodiversity
- Loss of biodiversity and soil erosion.
- Habitat destruction causes loss of plant and animal biodiversity.
- Without trees, soil erodes easily, reducing land fertility.
Impact on water
- Water scarcity and pollution.
- Changes in water cycles reduce rainfall and cause water shortages.
- Mining and farming pollute rivers, harming ecosystems.
Impact on indigenous communities and globally
- Indigenous people lose homes and vital resources.
- Reduced carbon storage increases greenhouse gases, worsening global climate change.
- Local climates become hotter and drier.
Test yourself on ThreatsThreats & Impacts
How does deforestation affect regional water cycles?
How does tree removal affect soil quality in forests?