Amazon Flashcards
Describe the size of the amazon rainforest?
Largest tropical rainforest - covers 40% of South America’s landmass.
What is the climate like in the amazon rainforest?
Hot, wet climate with dense vegetation
Describe the water cycle in the amazon
Causes the Amazon to be very wet - evaporation over the Atlantic Ocean means wet air blow towards Amazon.
Warm temps = high evaporation = increased precipitation.
Dense rainforest canopy = high interception = less water flows into rivers and slower.
Describe the carbon cycle in the amazon
It is a carbon sink - stores carbon in vegetation and soil.
Increase atmospheric CO2 = increased photosynthesis of vegetation = increased biomass of vegetation.
Amount of CO2 sequestered is growing, increasing its importance as a carbon store.
Trees are dying younger - maybe wont be such an effective sink in the future
How has the amazon changed over the last 50 years?
The basin has lost 17% of its primary rainforest - 80% of this is due to cattle ranching.
How does Decreased Evapotranspiration from Deforestation effect the Rainforest?
Less moisture in the air means there is a reduction in cloud cover
More solar radiation so temperature increases
How does deforestation affect river discharge?
Locally: discharged increases due to less interception so more surface flow
Nationally: discharge decreases due to less precipitation
How much carbon does the amazon release and absorb each year?
Releases 1.9 billion tons (decomposition and respiration).
Absorbs 2.2 billion tons of CO2.
What are the 4 main attempts to help with Deforestation in the Amazon?
- selective logging
- replanting
- environmental law
- protection
what is selective logging?
Only selected trees are felled
This is less damaging then felling the whole forest
Forest structure is kept and soil isn’t exposed
What is replanting?
New trees are planted for those cut down. The same species as those cut down are replanted to keep the natural variety.
What environmental laws are there to reduce deforestation?
Banned use of wood from unsustainably managed forests.
Ban on excessive logging.
Laws to control land use.
How does Protection help with Deforestation?
National Parks and reserves are set up to help conserve areas and carefully monitor them.
