Amazon Case Study

Question 1

What percentage of rainfall is intercepted by the canopy layer? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 1

75% of rainfall is intercepted by the canopy layer

Question 2

What is the average rainfall volume in the Amazon? What is the average temperature? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 2

The average rainfall in the Amazon is 2000mm+/year, with average temperatures of 27°C.

Question 3

What percentage of global photosynthesis is the Amazon responsible for? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 3

The Amazon is responsible for 30-50% of global photosynthesis.

Question 4

How much CO2 is absorbed by the Amazon each year in tonnes? How much CO2 is emitted by the Amazon each year in tonnes? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 4

2.2 bn tonnes of CO2 are absorbed each year, with 1.9bn tonnes emitted.

Question 5

What percentage of the Amazon has been deforested in the last 50 years? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 5

17% of the Amazon has been lost in the last 50 years to deforestation.

Question 6

Since 2015, how much CO2 has been absorbed by the Amazon each year? What impact has this had? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 6

Since 2015, the Amazon has absorbed 1 bn tonne of carbon per year, leading to it becoming a carbon source.

Question 7

What percentage of global species are present in the Amazon? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 7

50% of global species are found in the Amazon.

Question 8

What area does the Amazon cover in miles squared? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 8

The Amazon covers 2.1 million miles squared.

Question 9

What percentage of the Amazon is being deforested per year since 2000? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 9

Since 2000, the Amazon is being deforested at a rate of 0.3% per year.

Question 10

How many kilogrammes of carbon are stored in each metre squared of rainforest? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 10

Rainforests store 17 kg of Carbon for every metre squared.

Question 11

Deforestation is the second largest anthropogenic source of carbon after what? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 11

Fossil fuel combustion is responsible for the most production of carbon, ahead of deforestation.

Question 12

How much had deforestation increased by in April 2020 compared to 2019? Why was this? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 12

Deforestation in April 2020 was a 64% increase on the same month in 2019. This was due to people taking advantage of the pandemic as many conservationists had gone into lockdown.

Question 13

What percentage of global oxygen is produced by the Amazon? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 13

The Amazon produces 28% of global Oxygen.

Question 14

What impacts can deforestation have on the water cycle in terms of soil? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 14

Low interception can mean that soils are exposed and vulnerable to erosion. They are also exposed to high levels of sunlight, meaning the soils can dry out.

Question 15

What impacts can deforestation have on the water cycle in terms of rainfall and evapotranspiration? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 15

Humidity is reduced due to the lack of evapotranspiration from fewer trees, transpiration is minimal, rainfall can be disrupted, cloud cover can decrease by the lack of evapotranspiration.

Question 16

Where is the Amazon located? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 16

The Amazon is in Northern South America, mainly in Brazil. Some of it is also in Peru and Colombia. It lies between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Question 17

Describe the nature of the roots of rainforest plants - Amazon Case Study

Answer 17

Rainforest plants have fat, shallow roots that remove rainwater and nutrients from decomposing plant litter

Question 18

What are the 4 layers of the rainforest? (Bottom to Top) - Amazon Case Study

Answer 18

Forest floor, lower canopy, upper canopy, emergent layer

Question 19

How is the Amazon involved in the carbon cycle in terms of respiration and photosynthesis? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 19

Respiration occurs through decomposers breaking down plant litter, releasing CO2. Trees perform photosynthesis by absorbing CO2 and using it to produce carbohydrates and oxygen.

Question 20

How do the conditions in the Amazon aid decomposition? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 20

The Amazon is hot, wet and humid, with these conditions allowing the breakdown of organic matter by decomposers.

Question 21

How do animals contribute to the carbon cycle in the Amazon? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 21

Animals respire to produce CO2 following their inhalation of Oxygen, meaning that they contribute to the carbon cycle.

Question 22

What specific example is there of National Parks mitigating deforestation? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 22

The Yaguas National Park will preserve 2.1 million acres of rainforest. This will provide sanctuary for plants and wildlife (2000 species).

Question 23

What specific example is there of reforestation mitigating deforestation? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 23

The Brazilian Government is aiming to reforest 12 million hectares of land in the Amazon by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Question 24

How is biofuel production damaging the Amazon rainforest in terms of deforestation and CO2? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 24

The Amazon is being deforested for mass monoculture of sugar cane to produce biofuel. Biofuel is not clean and environmentally friendly as it leads to mass deforestation.

Question 25

What example has there been of international agreements mitigating deforestation in the Amazon? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 25

The USA and Brazil agreed for debt reduction of $21 million, with this instead being made into a fund to protect the tropical ecosystem.

Question 26

How has Jair Bolsonaro exacerbated the threat to the Amazon? - Amazon Case Study

Answer 26

Bolsonaro has overseen a policy allowing construction to take place in the rainforest in order to economically advance Brazil.