Amazon Rainforest Flashcards
Deforestation
This deforestation has continued to the present day according to the Sao Paulo Space Research Centre. Current statistics suggest that we have lost 20% of Amazon rainforest.
What is the Amazon?
The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth. It sits within the Amazon River basin, covers some 40% of the South American continent
Carbon stores
Tropical forests are very important stores of carbon, and in their untouched state act as carbon sinks. It is thought that there are approximately 100 Pentagrams in aboveground biomass (AGB) in Amazonia. 1 The Amazon forest covers an estimated 5.3 million km squared and holds 17% of the global terrestrial vegetation carbon stock
Changes to the carbon cycle
Agriculture or for pasture land for cattle grazing
Logging This involves cutting down trees for sale as timber or pulp. This can include slash and burn techniques .
Road building and clearing trees for development of infrastructure.
Mineral and energy development with forests being cleared for mines and creation of energy plants such as hydroelectric and wind turbines .
Settlement and population growth - Settlements like Parauapebas, an iron ore mining town, have grown rapidly, destroying forest and replacing it with a swath of shanty towns.
Other effects
This will cause some species to go extinct or migrate to other locations.
Higher temperatures will impact temperature-dependent species like fish,
Sea-level rise, increased temperature, changes in rainfall and runoff will likely cause major changes in species habitats such as mangrove ecosystems.
