TROPICAL RAINFOREST TALK This information is to explain what a Tropical Rainforest is and why it is so biologically diverse.

Here at EI we are surrounded by Tropical Rainforest. The widely accepted definition of a Tropical Rainforest is a forest that lies between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and has a hot and humid climate with at least 200cm of rainfall per year. The tropical climate is due to the Earths axial tilt (2327) which causes the suns radiation to warm this latitude more than any other. This heat increases the rate of the evaporation of water in the tropics and water vapour rises along with hot air. As it rises it cools and condenses and eventually falls back down to Earth as rain in a process called EVAPOTRANSPIRATION. Almost half of all the rain that falls in the Amazon basin comes directly from evapotranspiration, (the other half is blown in from the Atlantic by the Eastern Trade Winds). This large scale precipitation and waterrecycling system is essential in maintaining equilibrium. Seasonal variations in day length and temperature are not nearly as marked in the tropics as they are in temperate climates. Days are almost always 12 hours long and there is generally no more than a 5C difference between the warmest and coldest months. A Tropical Rainforest is dominated by broad-leaved evergreen trees often smaller than may be expected with tall, slender trunks and very few branches until the canopy level. Although Tropical Rainforests cover only 6% of the worlds land surface they are believed to contain 50% of all species of organisms on earth. For example, the world record for tree diversity at one site was set in Iquitos, Peru, where over 300 species of trees were found in a 1 hectare sized plot (the number of each species may be very small only 1-2, unlike temperate forests which are made up of only few species present in very high numbers). Here in the Tambopata National Reserve over 1200 species of butterfly have been identified and more species of ant were found on one tree than exist in all of the British Isles! So why is biodiversity so high in Tropical Rainforest? The lack of seasonal variation, year round sunshine and warm climate give the tropics the ideal conditions for plant growth. As thousands of different species of plants have evolved to take advantage of every possible niche and micro-climate, competition for sunlight has increased, until it is often the limiting factor to plant growth. The many different species of plants provide food and shelter (either directly or indirectly) for insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals in the rainforest, who themselves have evolved and adapted into many different species over the years to take the best advantage of their own particular niche. However, this complicates the web of symbiotic relationships and inter-species dependencies make the Tropical Rainforest a very fragile eco-system for example; as you will be able to see when walking the trails; the soil is often made up of mostly sand or clay with only a thin layer of nutrient rich decomposing leaf litter on top. The trees of the rainforest have evolved surprisingly shallow root systems to enable them to take

advantage of this. That is why they have evolved buttresses and prop roots to support themselves instead of the deep root systems used in more temperate climes. Much of the immediate area surrounding EI is virgin forest that has escaped deforestation. The term deforestation refers to the removal of rainforest or a related ecosystem (by cutting and clearing) and the creation of less biodiversity and human related ecosystems. Deforestation of the Amazon Basin has received international attention over the past decade because of its potential impacts on global weather patterns and loss of biodiversity. Recent satellite images have been used to estimate the amount of deforestation occurring in the Amazon Basin each year 3.7 to 4.9 million acres. Although this is an incredibly large amount of land it actually represents a slowing down in the rate of deforestation. The main reasons for deforestation in the Amazon are cattle ranches, plantations (especially soy beans), mining activity (tin, copper, iron and gold), and timber harvesting. It has been proposed that a road is built to join the coast of Peru and Brazil to enable the transport of goods out of South America across the Pacific or straight up to the west coast of North America and Asia, and work is allegedly due to start this year. The road will be used to transport huge amounts of products import and export and would obviously have a positive economic impact on Peru but the environmental impact could be disastrous as the road would pass through miles upon miles of pristine rainforest giving easy access to developers looking for new areas for ranches, plantations and mining. Several things could be done to help slow down the rate of deforestation and to help protect the amazing biodiversity of the Amazon for future generations. Ecotourism in small sustainably managed lodges such as EI can be invaluable in helping to provide jobs and to highlight the economic importance to an area of maintaining the rainforest and all the species in it. Educating local people into the importance of their environment and how best it can be managed to ensure a long term future for them and the forest. For example in Iquitos, Peru there are no macaws left as they have all been hunted for sale as exotic pets to other countries. Continuing biological research into all aspects of the forest but especially biomedical properties of rainforest plants such as the vine, cats claw which it is hoped could hold cures for AIDS.

As an Eco tourist visiting Tropical Rainforest there are several important things you can do to help ensure its survival: Dont buy any products made from endangered species of plant/animals. Instead consider buying sustainable, locally produced arts and crafts to provide an alternative income. Choose to use environmentally responsible tour operators Respect the wildlife when in the forest stick to the trails and dont chase anything you see

There are also several things you can do at home:

Try to be a responsible consumer, a small amount of research can help to ensure you dont contribute to deforestation by buying animal/wood based products taken from Tropical Rainforest Support charities and NGOs in your country that are working to stop deforestation - TREES in London was specifically started to preserve the rainforest around EI - Greenpeace and WWF have Save the Rainforest campaigns - Rainforest Alliance works to promote conservation of rainforest world wide Finally, I hope you enjoy your Rainforest experience and that your grandchildren and their grandchildren will also have the opportunity to enjoy this unique environment.