When tropical watersheds have balanced land use, their forests absorb excessive rainfall that is gradually released later. Forests regulate stream flows by intercepting rainfall, absorbing the water into the underlying soil, and gradually releasing it into the streams and rivers of its watershed. This minimizes both downstream flooding and drought conditions. Tree cover conserves moisture in the soil by providing shade that reduces the evaporative loss from radiant energy exchange with the atmosphere. Tree roots enhance soil porosity, reduce compaction, and facilitate infiltration.
Trees act as windbreaks, reducing the force of desiccating, eroding winds at ground level.
2.2 Socioeconomic Importance CFAN photo library Some 500 million people live in or at the edge of the tropical forests. They are some of the least privileged groups in our global society. They depend on the forests for many important products and environmental services. Included in this population of forest-dependent peoples are the world's 150 million native or indigenous peoples who rely on the forests for their way of life. They not only meet their economic needs for food and shelter but also form an integral part of their culture and spiritual traditions.