What Happens to Rainforest Biodiversity Without the Rain?

Scientists studied how the amount of rainfall in a forest impacts biodiversity and how many young trees survive. In dry years, they found that tree diversity falls by 15%. While in wetter years, it rises by 15%. This is because wetter soil helps insects and fungi thrive, and they play a role in preventing any one species from taking over. Rainforests play a key role in the ecosphere, producing oxygen, absorbing CO2 and regulating global water availability. They’re also gigantic reservoirs of biodiversity and a key source of food, medicine and income for local people. However, some rainforests are close to a tipping point due to a lack of water, as global warming triggers changes in weather patterns. Rainforests are also under threat from deforestation. Watch to learn more about the importance of rain for rainforests.