27 Nov

The impact of forest clearing on the climate

Why one forest is not like the other

Written by: Zoë Schreurs

Humanity has cleared countless acres of forest over the centuries. But not all forests are the same. Sure, a forest in Costa Rica has trees and squirrels, just like a forest here in Europe. But while we can certainly draw comparisons between our temperate forests and tropical forests, there are many differences. In this blog post, we take a closer look at why tropical rainforest logging is even more disastrous and how the consequences extend much further. And logging is certainly ongoing. Globally, the tropics lost 4.1 million hectares of primary forest in 2022, 10% more than in 2021, the platform  Global Forest Watch reported.

1. Small area, great biodiversity

Tropical rainforests are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. They are home to more than half of all plant and animal species, even though they cover less than 10% of the Earth’s surface. Each patch of rainforest is a living, breathing paradise full of unique organisms found nowhere else on Earth. When a tropical rainforest is cleared, many of these species disappear forever.

Temperate forests, on the other hand, also have rich biodiversity, but not to the same extent as tropical rainforests. Although the loss of temperate forest still has a serious impact, some species are better able to survive and recover. The difference is not only in the number of species, but also in their vulnerability.

The more forest is cleared, the more fragmented the forests become. This means that wild animals increasingly have to move through human areas, which is not without danger. Not all animals manage to do this, cutting them off from other populations and increasing the risk of inbreeding and genetic impoverishment.

However, both types of forest face different threats such as pesticides and excess fertilization of neighboring agricultural lands, invasive species that upset the balance, overexploitation through hunting, logging and overuse of natural resources, and others. And, of course, diseases that often bring entire species to the brink of extinction. For example, the populations of bats and frogs around the world are under severe pressure. This is the reason why last year the Adopteer Regenwoud Foundation placed several frog pools in its reserve in Costa Rica. As a result, the nearly extinct Lemur Leaf Frog is back in the area. Hopefully from here it can begin its rise again.

2. Tropical CO2 reservoirs.

Forests play a vital role in regulating the climate, we all know. They act as huge carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and storing it in trees and plants.

Tropical rain forests store much more carbon dioxide per square meter than other types of forest. This is because they have more biomass per square meter, due to the large, old trees and dense vegetation. When these forests are cut down or burned, that carbon is released, contributing to global warming. Meanwhile, however, tropical forests have been so degraded and reduced in size by forest fires and logging that they are no longer carbon-positive, but almost carbon-neutral. That was revealed in a study published in the journal Nature Geosciences in October 2023.

3. Poor soil, rich trees

The difference in soil conditions between tropical rain forests and temperate forests is striking. The soils of temperate forests are richer in nutrients and generally better able to recover from deforestation. This makes reforestation and ecological restoration easier in temperate areas.

Tropical rain forests have soils that are extremely poor in nutrients. This is because most nutrients are held in the plants and trees themselves, not in the soil. Dead material, with plenty of moisture and heat, has the ideal conditions to decompose at lightning speed. In our latitudes, the dead material quietly forms a rich layer of humus, but it doesn’t get the chance to do that in the tropics. For not only is the material rapidly decomposed, but it is also immediately reabsorbed. Not surprising when you consider that some trees, such as the Ceiba Pentandra, can grow as much as 3 meters per year. Moreover, heavy rainfall can wash away a lot of nutrients in a short period of time. 

When rainforest is cleared, the soil quickly loses its fertility and becomes even more susceptible to leaching and erosion. Recovery from this poor soil can take centuries, and in some cases the ecosystem may never fully recover.

4. Irreversible damage

Although temperate forests are slow to recover, the effects of cutting down tropical rainforests are often permanent. Animals going extinct, ecosystems being destroyed, and climate change being felt throughout the world – it is a devastating cycle that is difficult to break. In Latin America and the Caribbean, animal populations shrank by as much as 95 percent between 1970 and 2020. Hardly imaginable, but unfortunately true. The diversity of plants, trees and animals is also declining. And this is not only disastrous for the population itself, but also has a knock-on effect on other species. Not only are beautiful, unique species lost this way, some that we haven’t even discovered yet, but it is also detrimental to humans. Not only do scientists draw much inspiration from nature for new drugs or vaccines, but we also become much more vulnerable to diseases looking for a new host.

It is important to realize that all forests are valuable and deserve protection. But the urgency to save tropical rainforests is just that little bit greater because of their irreplaceable role in preserving our planet.

The Rainforest cries out for help

Preserving these precious ecosystems should be a priority, not only for biodiversity and the people who depend on it, but also for the climate and the future of our entire planet. Enough reasons for Adopteer Regenwoud foundation and all its volunteers to protect as much rainforest as possible and to be actively involved in this every day.

Would you like to contribute to this as well?

Adopt a piece of rainforest