The living things in an ecosystem that affect other living things or the environment are referred to as biotic factors. Tropical rainforests (also known as tropical evergreen forests) are found in the equatorial regions of Earth and are home to the world’s oldest primary vegetation type.
Around 100 million years ago, flowering plants first appeared in tropical rainforests. When the climate became cooler and drier around 40 million years ago, other vegetation types evolved across larger areas as these forests expanded. Tropical rainforests are home to more than half of the planet’s plant and animal species.
Types of Biotic Factors in Tropical Rainforests
Producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs), and decomposers (detritivores) are the three types of biotic factors in any ecosystem . Decomposers are organisms such as fungi and earthworms. Plants are primarily producers. Consumers must consume other organisms in order to obtain energy.
Tropical rainforests consist of different biotic factors, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Some of the common types of biotic factors in tropical rainforests are:
Animals in the Tropical Rainforest
According to the Nature Conservancy, a four-square-mile patch of rainforest contains 400 bird species and 150 butterfly species. Some rainforest animal species have yet to be identified and named. Because rainforests are among the world’s oldest ecosystems, they are likely home to a diverse range of animal species.
Rainforests also have year-round temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees, so animals do not have to worry about surviving cold temperatures or finding enough food. Over 50 million invertebrates are thought to exist among the many species of animals found in rainforests.
Poison dart frogs, parrots, toucans, beetles, butterflies, praying mantis, leafcutter ants, howler monkeys, anteaters, jaguars, and coral snakes are among the animals found in the rainforest.
Plants in the Tropical Rainforest
Plants are the ecosystem’s primary producers, such as trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, that provide the base of the food chain. A rainforest is almost entirely self-watering; plants release water through transpiration, and this water condenses into low-hanging clouds that produce rain or at least maintain the rainforest’s humidity.
Less than one percent of plant species have been analysed for their medicinal value, despite the fact that over 2,000 rainforest plants contain anti-cancer properties. Rainforest plants contribute essential products such as timber, cocoa, and coffee, as well as beautiful flower blooms such as orchids.
The trees that make up the canopy of the rainforest include tonka bean wood, teak, rubber, as well as numerous species of evergreens and palm trees. In addition, approximately two-thirds of the world’s flowering plants are located in tropical rainforests. There are orchids, lilies, heliconia, and bromeliads among them.
Fungi and Microorganisms in the Tropical Rainforest
Decomposers (Fungi and microorganisms), such as fungi and bacteria, play an important role in decomposing dead organic matter, recycling nutrients, and preserving the fertility of the soil. In the absence of microorganisms and fungi, dead organic matter on the forest floor would not decompose at a rate that is acceptable, and plants would be dispossessed of the nutrients they require for survival.
In addition, microorganisms support the digestive processes of rainforest animals, and fungi serve as a primary source of nutrition for invertebrates such as ants and beetles.
Importance of Biotic Factors in The Tropical Rainforests
Biotic factors in tropical rainforests play a important role in maintaining the balance and health of the ecosystem, and their loss or decline results the follwing:
- Biodiversity loss: The loss of biotic factors in tropical rainforests can lead to a decline in biodiversity and a reduction in the number of species present in the ecosystem.
- Climate change: The removal of trees and other vegetation can contribute to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide and reducing the ability of the ecosystem to absorb and store carbon dioxide.
- Soil degradation: The loss of decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, can lead to soil degradation and a decline in soil fertility, impacting the health and productivity of the ecosystem.
How to Protect Biotic Factors of the evergreen Rainforest?
The preservation of biotic factors in tropical rainforests is important for maintaining the health and balance of these ecosystems. However, human activities, such as deforestation, poaching, and pollution, have had a significant impact on the biotic factors in tropical rainforests.
Deforestation
Deforestation is one of the biggest threats to tropical rainforest biotic factors. The removal of trees and other vegetation destroys the habitat of countless plant, animal, and microorganism species, resulting in a decline in biodiversity and soil degradation. In order to protect biotic factors in tropical rainforests, it is necessary to reduce deforestation and encourage sustainable land use practices.
Hunting and Overfishing
Hunting and overfishing are also significant threats to biotic factors in tropical rainforests, as they can lead to the extinction of important species and disrupt the ecosystem’s delicate balance. To protect biotic factors in tropical rainforests, it is necessary to regulate hunting and fishing practices and implement laws and regulations that protect endangered species.
Pollution
Pollution is another significant threat to biotic factors in tropical rainforests, as it can harm the health of plants, animals, and microorganisms and disrupt the ecosystem. In order To protect biotic factors in tropical rainforests, it is essential to reduce pollution, promotes environmentally-friendly practices, and enforce laws and regulations that protect the environment.
Conservation Efforts
In order to protect biotic factors in tropical rainforests, conservation efforts are essential. This may involve the establishment of protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife preserves, and the promotion of sustainable land use practices. In addition, it is crucial to raise public awareness of the significance of biotic factors in tropical rainforests and the threats they face, as well as to conduct research and monitoring to better comprehend these complex ecosystems.
Faqs:
What are some Biotic Factors of the evergreen Rainforest?
Moss, plants, trees, small animals, large animals, insects, birds, and other flying creatures are all examples of biotic factors that can be found in temperate rainforests.
In a tropical dry forest, what are examples of abiotic and biotic factors?
Biotic simply means alive, whereas abiotic means not alive. Abiotic factors include humidity, pH, and temperature. Elevation, latitude, and weather are examples of abiotic factors. The trees are biotic and serve as primary producers. Herbivores are biotic in nature and serve as primary consumers. Decomposers are biotic factors as well. It’s simple to come up with examples once you understand the general distinction between abiotic and biotic.
What are 5 biotic factors in the rainforest?
Biotic factors of a temperate rainforest include moss, plants, trees, small animals, large animals, insects, and birds.
Sources and References:
- Tropical Rainforest Research by D.S. Edwards, W.E. Booth, S.C. Choy
- Living in a Dynamic Tropical Forest Landscape by Nigel Stork, Stephen M. Turton
- https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment
- https://ivypanda.com/essays/ecological-impacts-of-habitat-loss-on-tropical-rainforests/
- https://sage-advices.com/what-are-the-living-and-non-living-parts-of-an-ecosystem/
- https://sciencing.com/biotic-factors-rain-forest-24044.html