Intact, undisturbed native forests play a vital role in maintaining tropical biodiversity. But how much of the world’s remaining tropical rainforest has remained truly intact for supporting wildlife?
Worldwide Distribution
Recently, a study co-authored by Professor James Watson from The University of Queensland examined the worldwide distribution of intact, undisturbed tropical rainforests and their accessibility to over 16,000 terrestrial species.
Less Than A Quarter
The research, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that less than a quarter of the remaining tropical rainforests on Earth can protect thousands of threatened species from extinction. This is what Professor Watson had to say:
Remote Sensing
“Using remote sensing and forest integrity indicators, we analyzed the quality of the rainforests across the ranges of the forest-dependent vertebrates,” Professor Watson said.
A Critical Factor
Watson revealed that over 90% of forest cover is still within these species’ ranges. However, only 25% is of high quality, which he said is a, “critical factor in reducing extinction risk.” Watson says that although they knew how important these high-integrity rainforests were for biodiversity, no one realized how few were left.
Alarmingly Rare
“Our research shows that structurally intact rainforests, which are essential for many forest-dependent species, are alarmingly rare, particularly in regions most affected by human pressures such as logging and infrastructure development.”
Even Worse
However, the situation is even worse for threatened or declining species, as only 8% of their habitat was found to be of high integrity. “In comparison, non-threatened species have ranges with about 25% of high-integrity rainforest habitat, highlighting how habitat degradation disproportionately impacts species already at risk.” Professor Watson said.
The Golden Bowerbird
The golden bowerbird, a small, striking bird native to the montane rainforests of northeastern Australia, is classified as having a decreasing population in Queensland’s wet tropics. During a study, it was found that although 84% of this bird’s habitat remained, only 36% of it was of high integrity.
Dr. Rajeev Pillay
Dr. Rajeev Pillay from the University of Northern British Columbia, who led the study, emphasized that these findings highlight the critical need for conservation efforts that focus on protecting forest areas and ensuring the preservation of forest quality.
Global Coordination
“Simply having forest cover isn’t enough if the structural complexity and low human disturbance necessary for biodiversity are gone,” Dr. Pillay said. “To protect the remaining high-integrity tropical rainforests, global coordination to minimize human disturbance is key, especially in unprotected forests that remain vital for biodiversity.”
It Is Essential
“As international conservation targets emphasize ecosystem integrity, this study provides a critical baseline. Protecting high-integrity rainforests is essential to meeting the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2030 targets and to averting further biodiversity loss.
The Best Hope
“As human pressures continue to mount, preserving these remaining forests may be the best hope to secure a sustainable future for the planet’s biodiversity.”
The Window Is Closing
The alarming decline in high-integrity tropical rainforests emphasizes the urgent need for a shift in conservation efforts. Protecting forest cover alone is not enough; preserving these ecosystems’ quality and structural integrity is critical for sustaining biodiversity. With many species already facing habitat loss and declining populations, the window to act is closing fast.
