Why are tropical rainforests important? 6 key functions

Tropical rainforests are important because they regulate the climate and the global water cycle, shelter over half of the world’s plant and animal species, protect soil, and supply medicines and forest products, all while covering approximately 3% of the Earth’s total surface. This article examines the specific reasons why tropical rainforests are critical to the planet and why their preservation is a global necessity.

The continued loss of these ecosystems has direct consequences for global biodiversity and the natural systems that support human activity. Protecting remaining primary forests and restoring degraded areas are vital steps in ensuring a resilient natural world. By understanding the scale of our environmental impact, individuals and companies can take effective action to support the recovery of these indispensable habitats.

What are tropical rainforests?

Tropical forests are rainforests located near the equator. It is a hot and moist biome with rain all year long. This type of rainforest receives the largest amount of precipitation, unlike tropical dry forests, where it only rains during a single wet season. 

Read more: Reforestation: 10 amazing benefits of planting trees

They are also called evergreen forests because trees in tropical rainforests don’t shed leaves, compared to deciduous forests, where tree leaves fall as a response to seasonal changes. 

What are the vital functions of tropical rainforests?

Tropical rainforests provide various essential ecosystem services that affect biodiversity and our wellbeing, food, and water supply. Below we’ll discuss each of these important functions in greater detail. 

Climate regulation

Rainforests absorb carbon dioxide. Which means they absorb heat, preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. When forests are cut down, too much heat is reflected in the atmosphere, affecting local rainfall amounts and weather patterns. Rainforests act as natural sponges that absorb heat and regulate precipitation, which is crucial for the balance of the environment.

Read more: Why a forest with more species stores more carbon

Biodiversity

80% of the world’s documented species live in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforests have different layers that help them sustain different types of species. Gigantic trees form a canopy and provide food and shelter to animals such as sloths and toucans. A middle layer with smaller trees is ideal for reptiles, birds, and jaguars. Then there is the forest floor—with very little sunlight—home to insects and fungi.

Read more: 10 Vital ecosystem services: sustaining life on Earth

Habitat loss is a prime issue that needs to be addressed to prevent the extinction of forest species and ensure rich biodiversity. According to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 10,000 species of plants and animals in the Amazon rainforest are at high risk of extinction due to habitat destruction. This includes iconic species such as jaguars, sloths, macaws and other critical components of the rainforest's complex ecosystem.

Soil conservation

Rainforests regulate water flow and prevent flooding and erosion. Without tree and plant cover, heavy rain washes out all the soil nutrients and sweeps the soil into rivers. 

Due to the hot and humid climate, rainforest soil is rich in different types of fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms that help break down dead plants and animals. This process, called decomposition,  enriches the soil and helps with new growth.

Read more: How carbon project developers quantify biodiversity and community impact

Water regulation

Rainforests are part of many processes that create more precipitation and direct water to appropriate channels. First, trees release water vapours into the atmosphere. It creates clouds and brings more rain. Then, the deep roots of those majestic trees withstand heavy precipitation, redirecting the water to freshwater sources while keeping the ground intact. 

The fascinating part of this process is how this released moisture affects areas hundreds of miles away. For example, the Amazon Rainforest—the largest rainforest in the world—affects precipitation rates as far as the Midwest region of the United States. Therefore, rainforest restoration is essential for the planet’s water supply, agriculture, and food security.

Read more: Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest: causes, effects, solutions

Medicinal plants

Rainforest species are an effective reservoir of medicines for researchers to create new remedies to cure diseases and support well-being. 70% of plants with anti-cancer characteristics are found solely in rainforests. Some rainforest plants are responsible for 25% of drugs currently used in Western medicine, such as quinine, novocaine, tubocurarine, vincristine and cortisone. 

Timber and non-timber forest products

Living in urban areas, it might seem like rainforests are far away and not connected to our lifestyle. However, humans use at least 40,000 species of plants and animals daily for food, shelter, clothing, and medicinal needs. A significant part of these products either originated from or are grown in rainforests. Just to mention a few: wood, medicine, oils, gums, resins, nuts and fruits, such as avocados, coconut, grapefruit, bananas, pineapple, and more.

Read more: Carbon credit project stewardship: what happens after credit issuance 

What can investors, businesses, or individuals do to support rainforests?

With so many benefits rainforests provide, supporting these lush, green, and rich ecosystems is more important than ever. Most people don’t have the time or industry knowledge to directly impact these forests, but there is a solution that allows everyone to make an impact at scale. To see how this plays out elsewhere, learn how forest loss plays out in Malawi.

Green Earth provides opportunities to invest in nature, create natural carbon sinks, and plant forests in the most needed areas. If you or your business wants to tap into nature-based markets valued at $7 trillion, measure your footprint with our free carbon calculator and compensate for your emissions with our nature-based projects. These projects rely on community stewardship and nature-based solutions that work with, not against, local ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions

What is a tropical rainforest?

A tropical rainforest is a hot, wet forest near the equator that receives rain all year round.

Where are tropical rainforests found?

The largest tropical rainforests are in the Amazon Basin in South America, the Congo Basin in Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. All of them lie close to the equator, where it is hot and wet all year.

Why are tropical rainforests important to people?

They regulate local and global water cycles, store carbon, protect soils, and provide food, medicines, and livelihoods.

What happens if tropical rainforests disappear?

Biodiversity falls, rainfall patterns shift, soils erode, and stored carbon is released.

How can businesses help protect tropical rainforests?

Cut emissions first, then finance verified nature-based projects that restore and protect forests.