Assessment of Factors Responsible for Forest Loss in Tropics

Abstract— The tropical forest harbors the most enriched and highly diverse ecosystem in the world. Presently, many natural, as well as human-induced activities, are causing a deliberating impact on the biodiversity of this forest. The loss of primary vegetation in these forests has imbalanced the natural cycle of the surrounding environment. Among natural drivers, floods, drought, hurricane, and biotic stresses like pathogen and pest attack, whereas several anthropogenic activities such as forest fire, grazing, land modification through agricultural activities, exploitation of trees for fuel-wood and timber purpose, illegal cutting of vegetation are altogether responsible for massive destruction and degradation of tropical forestry. Various awareness drives has halted the rate of deforestation in last three decades; however, during the same time period, the global area of tropical forest cover has reduced at an alarming rate. In order to restore the loss, there is an urgent need to focus on conservation strategies like habitat rehabilitation, preservation of rare and endangered tree species, application of the new scientific methodology, and most importantly the rehabilitation of barren and waste forest land to ensure the functioning of a forest ecosystem. This research highlights the present status of plant diversity and the main drivers of biodiversity loss in tropical forests