 |
|
The future of tropical forests
April 07, 2006Deforestation and habitat loss are expected to lead to an extinction crisis among tropical forest species. Humans in rural settings contribute most to deforestation of extant tropical forests. However, "Trends such as slowing population growth and intense urbanization give reason to hope that deforestation will slow, regeneration will accelerate, and mass extinction of tropical forest species will be avoided," report S.J. Wright, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and H.C. Muller-Landau, University of Minnesota, in Biotropica online.
The authors show that the proportion of potential forest cover remaining correlates with human population density among countries in both the tropics and the temperate zone. They use United Nations population projections and continent-specific relationships between both total and rural population density and forest remaining today to project future tropical forest cover.
According to their projections, deforestation rates will decrease as population growth slows, and a much larger area will continue to be forested than previous studies suggest. Tropical forests diminished during repeated Pleistocene glacial events in Africa and more recently in selected areas that supported large prehistoric human populations. "Despite many caveats, our projections for forest cover provide hope that many tropical forest species will be able to survive the current wave of deforestation and human population growth," stress Wright and Mueller-Landau.
"Creative strategies to preserve tropical biodiversity might include policies to improve conditions in tropical urban settings to encourage urbanization and preemptive conservation efforts in countries with large areas of extant forest and large projected rates of future human population growth," the authors conclude. "We hope that this first attempt inspires others to produce better models of future tropical forest cover and associated policy recommendations."
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
"Creative strategies to preserve tropical biodiversity might include policies to improve conditions in tropical urban settings to encourage urbanization and preemptive conservation efforts in countries with large areas of extant forest and large projected rates of future human population growth," the authors conclude. "We hope that this first attempt inspires others to produce better models of future tropical forest cover and associated policy recommendations."
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Tropical Forests Current Events and Tropical Forests News RSSTEEB report released on the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity for policy makers
Policy makers who factor the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into their national and international investment strategies are likely to see far higher rates of return and stronger economic growth in the 21st century.
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Killer bees may increase food supplies for native bees
Aggressive African bees were accidentally released in Brazil in 1957. As "killer bees" spread northward, David Roubik, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, began a 17-year study that revealed that Africanized bees caused less damage to native bees than changes in the weather and may have increased the availability of their food plants.
World's last great forest under threat: new study
The world's last remaining "pristine" forest - the boreal forest across large stretches of Russia, Canada and other northern countries - is under increasing threat, a team of international researchers has found.
Humans
Mounting evidence that human activity is changing the world's oceans in profound and damaging ways is outlined in a new scientific discussion paper released today.
Orangutans unique in movement through tree tops
Movement through a complex meshwork of small branches at the heights of tropical forests presents a unique challenge to animals wanting to forage for food safely.
NASA study says climate adds fuel to Asian wildfire emissions
In the last decade, Asian farmers have cleared tens of thousands of square miles of forests to accommodate the world's growing demand for palm oil, an increasingly popular food ingredient.
Tropical forest seed banks: a blast from the past
Seeds of some tree species in the Panamanian tropical forest can survive for more than 30 years before germinating.
Atmospheric scientists trace the human role in Indonesian forest fires
Severe fires in Indonesia - responsible for some of the worst air quality conditions worldwide - are linked not only to drought, but also to changes in land use and population density, according to a new study in Nature Geoscience led by Robert Field of the University of Toronto.
Scientists use lasers to measure changes to tropical forests
New technology deployed on airplanes is helping scientists quantify landscape-scale changes occurring to Big Island tropical forests from non-native plants and other environmental factors that affect carbon sequestration.
More Tropical Forests Current Events and Tropical Forests News Articles
 |
Tropical Forests (Jones and Bartlett's Series on Ecosystems and Biomes) by Bernard Marcus (Author) The first text in a series of single topic ecology books, Tropical Forests is an ideal text or supplement for introductory biology, ecology, and environmental science courses. It provides students with an accurate, easy to read, and easy to understand account of this important biome that is often covered too briefly in general texts. This guide provides a compact picture of the world's tropical forests with overviews on the meteorological and geological influences on the biology of the ecosystem. It describes many of the interactions of plants and animals of the tropics in an evolutionary context. It's narrative style and clear illustrations and diagrams engage students, and paint a clear picture of the important concepts presented throughout the text. |
 |
The High Montain Tropical Forest The High Montain Tropical Forest (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Rain Forest waterfall POSTER environment tropical RARE 16" x 20" by Poster Revolution Rain Forest waterfall POSTER environment tropical RARE 16" x 20" |
 |
Can Tropical Rain Forests Be Saved? (Home Use) Directed By: Robert Richter Also With: Robert Richter (Producer), Robert Richter (Writer) |
 |
Villa-Lobos: Genesis / Erosao / Amazonas / Dawn in a Tropical Forest by Roberto Duarte Roberto Duarte (Conductor), Heitor Villa-Lobos (Conductor), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava (Conductor) VILLA-LOBOS: Genesis / Erosao / Amazonas by Roberto Duarte This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
 |
National Geographic: Really Wild Animals - Totally Tropical Rain Forest Starring: Dudley Moore Also With: Alan O'Day (Composer), Janis Liebhart (Composer), Darryl Kubian (Composer), Kief Davidson (Editor), Philip Falcone (Editor), Sean McAll (Editor) Take a totally tropical trip to the rain forest and meet spotted jaguars, colorful poison-arrow frogs, slow-moving sloths, and loud-mouthed howler monkeys - all captured by the world's finest filmmakers. |
|
Mona Lisa - Katina Marie "Tropical Forest" Short Sleeve, Rhinestone Studded, Pre-Washed, Printed Cotton Top Aqua (Large) by Mona Lisa Katina Marie - Mona Lisa Casual tops are designed for comfort and style starting with a loose fit, accented with beautifully patterned color prints in a variety of colors and subtle shading. The fabrics is pre-washed several times then tumble dried to assure you won't suffer from fabric shrinkage plus providing a more comfortable fit that's sure to keep it good looks and sizing for a very long time. As an added bonus these tops are made with a water-based print not an oil based printing process so that you'll get a much smoother, more comfortable feel versus a less breathable more stiffer oil based print that over time may have a tendency to harden and restrict air flow through the fabric | |
 |
Tropical Rain Forest (River & Waterfall) Black Wood-Mounted Art Poster Print - 16" X 20" by Adam Hersh Posters |
 |
Rainforest Eco Expedition by Wild Republic This moveable play action set includes an orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, tree frog, Bengal tiger, jaguar, toucan, Indian rhinoceros, Emerald tree boa, and Eco Ranger with binoculars and walking stick. Ages 3+ |
 |
Native Forest Organic Tropical Fruit Salad, 14-Ounce Cans (Pack of 6) by Native Forest USDA organic. In organic pineapple & passion fruit juices. Vegan. Native Fruit Organic Fruits are conscientiously grown and packed according to principals of organic agriculture. Our mission is to offer you the most delicious and healthful natural fruits, while renewing the fertility of the soil using time tested, organic methods. We believe organic practices make sense for the land, the people, and the product. We hand select ripe organic fruits, cutting and packing them in organic juice at the peak of freshness. You and your family will love the great flavor of Native Forest Organic Tropical Fruit Salad: consistently sweet, tender, and delicious. The quality that you taste is only a hint of the care and expertise behind every Native Forest product. Enjoy! Product of Sri Lanka. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |