What are the limiting and damaging factors of the forest biome?
1. Deforestation: Deforestation occurs when forests are cleared for human activities such as agriculture, mining, urbanization, and logging. The removal of trees results in habitat destruction, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. It is the most significant limiting and damaging factor of the forest biome.
2. Climate change: Increasing global temperatures can alter rainfall patterns, lead to extreme weather events, and affect the quality of soil and water. Climate change can damage forest ecosystems by causing the extinction of certain species, altering the timing of important biological events, and changing the relationships between species.
3. Pollution: Forests are often subjected to environmental pollutants such as acid rain, toxic chemicals, and pollution from nearby urban areas. Pollution can damage forests by reducing plant growth, limiting the range of species, and causing forest decline.
4. Overgrazing: Overgrazing by livestock and wild animals can damage the forest floor and prevent vegetation from growing. This can lead to soil erosion and land degradation, which can further limit the growth of forests.
5. Invasive species: Invasive species, such as certain plants and animals, can outcompete native species and disrupt natural forest ecosystems. This can lead to the loss of biodiversity and affect overall forest health.
6. Human disturbance: Human activities such as hunting, fishing, and recreation can damage forests and disturb wildlife habitats. Disturbance can affect the growth of trees, reduce the abundance of certain species, and harm the overall health of the forest biome.