Amazon Rainforest Flashcards
Location?
South America, 8 countries.
Cause of change?
Deforestation, slash and burn and climate change.
Deforestation statistics. (Global,Amazon,Brazil)
Half of the worlds rainforests have been cleared to make way for humans.
From 2000-2007 the Amazon was deforested at a rate of 1900km^2/year.
59% of Brazil’s Climate pollution comes from Amazon deforestation
Slash and burn impact on W+C cycle.
Reduces humidity retention in soil.
Evaporation of canopy water stores
Reduced soil porosity, faster drainage and erosion.
Increases Albedo and temperature
Climate change statistic on tropical rainforests.
Mean temperature increase of 0.26 degrees in tropical rainforests every 10 years since 1970s. Predicted this will rise to 2-3 degrees by 2050.
Climate change impact on environment.
Species limited by tolerance to climate. Trees living shorter lives.
How much freshwater does the Amazon discharge. % and stat
17500 cumecs around 15% of the daily freshwater entering oceans globally.
Amazon tributary ?
The Rio Negro is the second largest river in the world for water flow
Precipitation rates?
over 2000mm/year in some of the Amazon
Dense canopy interception
The dense canopy intercepts up to 75% of rainfall, meaning most water never reaches the ground before being evaporated.
Around half of evapotranspired rainfall falls again as rain.
How much water reaches the sea?
Around 30% of rainfall reached the sea the rest is in the closed system.
Amazon carbon impact?
Amazon is a carbon sink of 1-3 GT/year
How much carbon is stored in the Amazon?
80-120 billion tonnes
Photosynthesis carbon cycle
Carbon is used during photosynthesis and transferred to the soil during decomposition.
