Topic Summaries

Biodiversity issues in tropical rainforests

IGCSE > Geography > Pearson IGCSE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Tropical rainforest ecosystems > Biodiversity issues in tropical rainforests
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Energy supply

  • Deforestation: often caused by logging, agriculture (e.g. palm oil and cattle farming), and urban development, destroys vast areas of forest and the habitats within them. 
  • Pollution: from mining, agriculture (e.g. pesticides and fertilisers), and industrial waste can poison water sources and soil, harming biodiversity. 
  • Overfishing and hunting: (including illegal poaching) reduce animal populations and threaten species with extinction, particularly in areas with river systems like the Amazon. 
  • Climate change: alters temperature and rainfall patterns, which can shift or shrink the suitable habitats for many rainforest species. 
  • Habitat fragmentation: (breaking up forests into smaller, isolated patches) makes it harder for species to find food, mates, or migrate, and increases vulnerability to predators and disease.
  • Food webs weakened: the removal of key species can have cascading effects on other organisms that depend on them, reducing biodiversity.

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