International Day of the Tropics Highlights Threats to Biodiversity from Climate Change and Land Use: A Call for Urgent Action

By Daniel Itai

As the world commemorates the International Day of the Tropics on June 29th, climate change, deforestation, urbanization, and demographic changes threaten the very existence of these regions.

With 134 countries partially located in the tropics, this vast area is currently home to one-third of the global population, a number projected to surpass half by 2050.

Despite being the home of most of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, tropical regions suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change and shifting land use patterns compared to non-tropical regions.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the decline of biodiversity in the tropics undermines economic stability, as it disrupts crucial natural processes that ensure human success and stability, such as food provision, clean air and water, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

Remarkably, tropical forests, which cover just five percent of the Earth’s land surface, harbor two-thirds of global biodiversity.

The Tropics not only house diverse ecosystems such as rainforests, deserts, grasslands, reefs, mangrove forests, mountains, and glaciers, but they have also played a vital role in shaping the incredible variety of life on Earth.

One example of the Tropics’ significance is the importance of mangrove forests. These ecosystems, composed of tropical and semi-tropical trees and shrubs along seashores, play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and restoring biodiversity. Mangroves absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than other forests, serve as biodiversity hotspots, improve water quality, and act as buffers against extreme weather events.