Abiotic factors that affect the tropical rainforests include sunlight, rain and overall climate. These factors are important in any ecosystem since all ecosystems require to the influence of sunlight, rain and climate to maintain the species of life that normally live within these environments. Enacting a change to one of these factors substantially impacts the overall health of the
. ecosystem.Rainforests are found only within tropical climates which are located near the equator. The equatorial atmosphere is very thin with a notable absence of ozone, allowing for a maximum amount of solar energy to reach the ground. This solar energy is then dispersed throughout the rest of the Earth through air and water currents. At the equator, the constant delivery of solar energy allows for temperature stability that creates an ideal environment for tropical weather and the growth of rainforests.Sunlight is another important abiotic factor. With the right amount of exposure to sun between rainy seasons, a diverse array of life grows within the rainforest, including everything from large trees to small shrubs and bushes. If sunlight is lacking, growth of vegetation is impacted with the smaller plants suffering first and most. The survival of the insects that live within the rainforest is dependent on access to food, and a lack of vegetation due to poor sunlight provides less vegetation for insects to eat, in turn providing less insects to feed larger animals. If small animals are unable to eat, there are fewer of these creatures to feed larger animals. When there are fewer large animals within the rainforest, there are less nutrients in the ground to feed and support the vegetation. The rainforest ecosystem is not self-sustaining and requires sunlight to survive and persevere.Rainfall is another important abiotic factor for rainforests. The continual influx of solar energy leads to the a constant stream of rains throughout the equatorial tropics as the solar heat is dispersed throughout the globe, providing a source of water and nutrition for plants and animals within the rainforest. When a lack of rain occurs, the resulting drought severely impacts all life within the area.Abiotic factors heavily influence the growth and survival of all ecosystems and understanding how these factors affect the rainforest allows for understanding of how abiotic factors influence all ecosystems around the world.