Amazon

Question 1

How large is the Amazon

Answer 1

6 million km²

Question 2

How many plant species are there in the amazon

Answer 2

40,000

Question 3

Causes of Deforestation

Subsistence Farming

Answer 3

Farmers clear areas of the forest and burn it to make room to grow crops for their families (slash-and-burn agriculture)

Question 4

Causes of Deforestation

Commercial Farming

Answer 4

Over 70% of deforestation in the Amazon is due to commercial farming of livestock (cattle) and crops (rice, palm oil, sugar cane and coffee)

Question 5

Causes of Deforestation

Logging

Answer 5

Trees as felled to sell as timber for furniture and as pulp for paper. Illegal logging is a business in the Amazon

Question 6

Causes of Deforestation

Mineral Extraction

Answer 6

Large mines have been built in the Amazon to enable extraction of valuable minerals such as bauxite, iron ore and gold

Question 7

Causes of Deforestation

Energy Development

Answer 7

Hydroelectric (HEP) power stations have been created using dams. The Balbina reservoir alone flooded over 2,300 km² of the rainforest

Question 8

Causes of Deforestation

Road Building

Answer 8

Various roads, including the Trans-Amazonian Highway, have been built to enable greater access to the Amazon and its rich resources

Question 9

Causes of Deforestation

Settlements

Answer 9

Large areas of rainforest have been cleared to create settlements for rainforest workers, who then use some of the timber for building and fuel

Question 10

Causes of Deforestation

Population Growth

Answer 10

The Brazilian government offers land to people who move out of overcrowded cities and clear small areas for farming

Question 11

Effects of Deforestation

Soil Erosion

Answer 11

When trees are removed from an area, the soil is no longer held together by tree roots. The soil erodes and its nutrients are leached, reducing soil fertility and preventing further plant growth
55 million tonnes of topsoil lost each year from soy farms

Question 12

Effects of Deforestation

Economic Development

Answer 12

The farming, mining and logging industries provide many jobs and significant income for rainforest countries, boosting their economies and helping them pay off foreign debts
In 2008, Brazil made $6.9 billion from cattle ranching

Question 13

Effects of Deforestation

Climate Change

Answer 13

Trees in the Amazon store 20% of all the carbon in the Earth’s biomass. As large portions of the rainforest are cleared, CO₂ is released into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect

Question 14

Sustainable Management of Rainforest

Conservation and Education

Answer 14

Conservation promotes sustainable resource use and protects through national parks. Organizations like Nature Conservancy and WWF rely on donations for education and safeguarding. Deforestation education emphasizes rainforest value and sustainable management for those engaging in harmful practices.

Question 15

Sustainable Management of Rainforest

Debt Reduction

Answer 15

Tropical rainforests are mainly in low-income countries (LICs) with high debts. LICs rely on logging and farming to repay their debts. To safeguard rainforests, high-income countries (HICs) forgive LICs’ debts in exchange for rainforest protection. In 2011, the US government converted $28.5 million of Indonesian debt into an investment for rainforest preservation.

Question 16

Sustainable Management of Rainforest

Selective Logging and Replanting

Answer 16

Selective logging is a method of harvesting trees in which only certain trees of a specific height or age are cut down, causing less damage to the rainforest’s structure and biodiversity. Replanting is also done to replace the felled trees with new ones of the same type to maintain the rainforest’s long-term structure and biodiversity. Illegal logging is still common due to difficulties in enforcing laws in remote rainforest areas.

Question 17

Sustainable Management of Rainforest

Ecotourism

Answer 17

Ecotourism is a responsible type of tourism that focuses on conservation and wildlife, while also providing benefits to local communities. It aims to educate visitors and reduce harm to the environment caused by tourism. Ecotourism can create employment opportunities and positively impact the economy and environment if managed sustainably and supporting local communities.
Largest income source in Costa Rica