Tropical forests: the living balance of our planet
Written by the Pablo Luna Studio Research Team
April 2026
Tropical forests are the largest forests in the world accounting for approximately 45% of the world’s total forest area ranging between the Tropic of Cancer to The Tropic of Capricorn. They create ecosystem near the equator in regions with warm temperatures and high rainfall through out the year.
How do Tropical forests help the Carbon Emissions in the world?
Tropical forests play a critical role in regulating the global climate. They act as major carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon in trees and vegetation while continuously absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Research suggests that tropical forests store approximately 250–300 gigatons of carbon, making them one of the most important natural systems for climate regulation.
The forests modulate through a mechanism called the fertilization effect, where it absorbs the rising atmospheric CO2 to act as a fertilizer with increased photosynthesis rates and water efficiency.
The limiting factors of the carbon fertilization happens when :
- A potential boost is restricted by the phosphorous , in older and weathered by tropical soils and it reduces productivity by 46%.
- Climate changes such as, an increased heat stress from rising temperatures causing droughts as well as nutrient leaching from excessive rainfall.
The Bio-diversity in Tropical forests.
Tropical forests are globally renowned for their astonishing diversity of life, serving as the home to 62% of all terrestrial vertebrate species, more than double the amount found in any other terrestrial biome on Earth. Humid tropical forests, commonly known as rainforests, are especially vibrant centers of biodiversity, harboring over 90% of these tropical forest vertebrates. The fauna in these ecosystems is highly specialized, with up to 29% of global vertebrate species being strictly endemic to tropical forests. For example, the Amazon rainforest alone contains more than 10% of the planet’s terrestrial biodiversity and 10% of all known fish species. This incredibly diverse fauna is supported by equally vital flora, such as the giant kauri trees found in the deep rainforests of Papua, Indonesia. These towering trees provide crucial nesting habitats for rare and unique wildlife, including the ring-tailed glider and the long-fingered possum, two marsupials recently rediscovered alive after being considered extinct for 6,000 years.
Some endemic creatures found in:
Indonesia, Sumatra and Sulawesi tropical forests-
Sumatran Orangutan, Sulawesi Crested Black Macaque, Maleo Bird, Tarsiers, Sumatran Rhino, White Cockatoo.
Amazon Rainforests-
Bald Uakari, Pygmy Marmoset, Amazon River Dolphin.
Australian Wet Tropics-
Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, Cassowary.
Madagascar rainforests-
Aye -Aye
Ituri Forest (Democratic Republic of Congo). –
Okapi
Out of the list of endemic creatures, most creatures are primarily endangered because of factors that effecting the tropical forests such as habitat loss from agricultural clearing (like palm oil and cattle ranching) and fragmentation, which traps animals in small, isolated patches. This is worsened by direct exploitation, including poaching for the illegal wildlife trade and the exotic pet market. Because these creatures are endemic, they have no other habitats to retreat to as climate change, marked by record-breaking droughts and fires rapidly altering their ecosystems.
The Cultural significance of the Tropical forests.
Tropical forests hold profound cultural and spiritual significance, particularly for the Indigenous and traditional communities who have inhabited them for generations.
In the Amazon rainforest, which is home to over 47 million people (including 2.2 million Indigenous and traditional inhabitants), cultures are deeply interwoven with the natural environment and rely heavily on the sustainable use of its resources. Indigenous philosophies often reflect a lack of division between the concepts of nature and culture, fostering a deep kinship between humans and non-human entities. This cultural connection is so strong that it has even influenced modern legal systems, leading to the granting of legal rights to natural entities like mountains and rivers in countries such as Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Consequently, the potential destruction of the Amazon rainforest would result in a devastating and irreversible loss of cultural value.
Similarly, in the Vogelkop Peninsula of Papua, specific tropical forest habitats are considered sacred by Indigenous communities, such as the Maybrat and Tambrauw clans. The giant kauri trees found in these forests are revered by local people as the birthplace of all humans and animals. The wildlife within these forests also holds deep spiritual meaning; for example, the rare ring-tailed glider (known locally as Tous) is considered a manifestation of ancestral spirits.
Globally, critical natural areas, which heavily intersect with Indigenous and community territories provide opportunities and experiences that are highly valued culturally, demonstrating that the preservation of tropical forests is intrinsically linked to the protection of global cultural heritage.
Threats on the Tropical forests and how it would affect them.
Tropical forests face severe threats from agricultural expansion using deforestation(link to the rest of the blog), infrastructure development, and climate-driven wildfires, which are rapidly fragmenting these vital ecosystems. This destruction disrupts the “moisture pump” effect, leading to regional droughts and turning critical carbon sinks into carbon sources that accelerate global warming. As these forests shrink and degrade, the resulting habitat loss triggers a collapse in biodiversity and permanent soil degradation, undermining the forest’s ability to regenerate or support the unique species that depend on them.
Tropical forests face severe threats from agricultural expansion using deforestation, infrastructure development, and climate-driven wildfires, which are rapidly fragmenting these vital ecosystems. This destruction disrupts the “moisture pump” effect, leading to regional droughts and turning critical carbon sinks into carbon sources that accelerate global warming. As these forests shrink and degrade, the resulting habitat loss triggers a collapse in biodiversity and permanent soil degradation, undermining the forest’s ability to regenerate or support the unique species that depend on them.
In Conclusion,
Tropical forests are among the most vital ecosystems on Earth, sustaining extraordinary biodiversity while playing a crucial role in regulating the global climate through carbon storage. These forests are not only ecological strongholds but also deeply connected to Indigenous cultures and communities that have protected and lived with them for generations. In honour of the forests, one of our wellness retreat project’s, Bumi Cinta is built using reclaimed ironwood from bridges, houses and ports of Kalimantan, giving new life to materials from Indonesia’s tropical landscapes.
However, deforestation, climate change, and expanding human activity threaten their survival, putting both biodiversity and cultural heritage at risk. Protecting tropical forests is therefore not only an environmental priority but a shared global responsibility. By supporting conservation, restoration, and Indigenous stewardship, we can help ensure these forests continue to sustain life, culture, and climate balance for generations to come.
FAQs
Global Environmental & Climate Impacts
- How do tropical forests influence global rainfall patterns far beyond the tropics?
Tropical forests act as “moisture pumps.” Through evapotranspiration, they release massive amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere, creating “rivers in the sky”. This recycled moisture is carried by winds and accounts for up to 50% of the rainfall in major agricultural regions like the US Midwest and parts of China. - What is the “Amazon Tipping Point,” and why is it a global concern?
Scientists warn that if enough of the Amazon is deforested (estimated between 20–25%), the forest will no longer be able to generate enough rain to sustain itself. This could trigger a “tipping point” where the rainforest rapidly transitions into a dry savannah, releasing billions of tons of stored carbon and permanently disrupting global weather systems.
Medicine & Global Health
- Why are tropical forests often called “The World’s Largest Medicine Cabinet”?
Over 25% of all modern medicines are derived from rainforest plants, despite less than 5% of these plants having been thoroughly screened for medicinal properties.
Examples include:
Quinine: From the Cinchona tree, used to treat malaria.
Vincristine: From the Madagascar Periwinkle, which increased survival rates for childhood leukemia from 20% to 80%.
Curare: From Amazonian lianas, used as a muscle relaxant in modern surgery.
International Conservation Frameworks
- What is “REDD+,” and how does it help protect tropical forests?
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) is a UN-backed framework that provides financial incentives to developing countries to keep their forests standing. It allows these nations to earn “carbon credits” for verified emission reductions, which can then be sold to companies or governments to meet climate goals. - Which global organizations are most active in tropical forest protection?
Key players include the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for conservation, the Rainforest Alliance for sustainable agricultural certification, and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which certifies sustainably managed timber.
Economic & Food Security
- How do tropical forests support global food security?
Forests support agriculture by providing pollination services from forest-dwelling insects and maintaining soil health. They also serve as a critical “safety net” for over 1 billion people who rely on wild forest foods (like nuts, fruits, and insects) during times of crop failure or economic shock.
