LIGHT-INDUCED GROWTH RESPONSES IN WARBURGIA UGANDENSIS AND POLYSCIAS FULVA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The deforestation of tropical lands presents multifaceted environmental challenges with both local and global implications. Locally, deforestation exacerbates climate extremes, triggers soil degradation, and disrupts regional hydrological cycles. Moreover, the alteration of albedo and water balances due to extensive deforestation can significantly impact weather patterns, with potential ramifications for regional climates. A particularly alarming consequence is the contribution to global warming through the release of greenhouse gases from the burning of tropical biomass. This paper synthesizes insights from Myers (1983) and other scholarly works to elucidate the far-reaching consequences of tropical deforestation. Of paramount concern is the unprecedented loss of biological diversity resulting from habitat fragmentation within tropical forests. The loss of these diverse ecosystems poses significant threats to global biodiversity and ecosystem stability, with cascading effects on ecological processes and services. Key areas of focus include the mechanisms driving habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss, the socio-economic drivers of deforestation, and the ecological resilience of tropical ecosystems. By examining the interplay between human activities, environmental changes, and ecological responses, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding tropical deforestation and its impacts on local and global environments