Broadly speaking, tropical biology is the study of organisms and the ecosystems in the tropics.
Tropical biology is made meaningful as an area of study by the unique nature of the tropical biota.
Interest in tropical biology is enhanced by the incredible biotic diversity. There are a large number of tropical ecosystems. Tropical biology embraces not just rainforests, but also marine systems, coral reefs, freshwater systems, mangroves and beaches, dry forests, grasslands, deserts, montane forests, and alpine systems. Urgency in tropical biology is driven by the rapid destruction of tropical habitats. A major focus, then, is on conservation.