Amazon Case Study Flashcards

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1
Q

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

A

75% of rainfall is intercepted by the canopy layer

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2
Q

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

A

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

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3
Q

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

A

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

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4
Q

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

A

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

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5
Q

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

A

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

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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

50% of global species are found in the Amazon.

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8
Q

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

A

The Amazon covers 2.1 million miles squared.

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9
Q

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

A

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

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10
Q

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

A

Rainforests store 17 kg of Carbon for every metre squared.

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11
Q

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

A

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

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12
Q

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

A

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.

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13
Q

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

A

The Amazon produces 28% of global Oxygen.

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14
Q

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

A

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.

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15
Q

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

A

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.

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16
Q

Where is the Amazon located? - Amazon Case Study

A

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.

17
Q

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

A

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

18
Q

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

A

Forest floor, lower canopy, upper canopy, emergent layer

19
Q

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

A

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

20
Q

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

A

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

21
Q

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

A

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

22
Q

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

A

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

23
Q

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

A

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

24
Q

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

A

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.

25
Q

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

A

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

26
Q

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

A

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