Amazon rainforest

Question 1

How large is Brazil (ranking)

Answer 1

5th largest country

Question 2

What fraction of Brazil is rainforest covered

Answer 2

2/3

Question 3

What rank polluter is Brazil

Answer 3

4th largest, over half from Amazon interference, 2015: emissions overtook uptake

Question 4

How many trees

Answer 4

300b

Question 5

How many species

Answer 5

15,000

Question 6

Area

Answer 6

5.5km2 over 9 countries

Question 7

Why ‘lungs of the Earth’

Answer 7

Produce 20% O2, stores 20% terrestrial C

Question 8

% growth annually

Answer 8

0.3-0.5% from greater sequestration but stimulation means trees die younger

Question 9

River size ranking

Answer 9

2nd largest by water flow, despite up to 1/2 precipitation being intercepted by canopy

Question 10

Deforestation causes

Answer 10

Intensive agriculture (soya, cattle), HEP reservoirs and dams, logging, government organised colonisation schemes, mining and industry to reach minerals

Question 11

Deforestation reasons

Answer 11

Utilise timber and mineral wealth, beef producers need land (infertile latosols), overpopulation, poverty, industry needs power to develop and maintain strength

Question 12

Manaus size

Answer 12

Biggest city in and capital of Amazonas where 50% live

Question 13

Manaus growth

Answer 13

Fastest growing Brazil city after Manaus Free Trade Zone. However, favellas e.g. Mante Horebe and waste in tributaries to Negro River (water supply)

Question 14

When was AVANCA BRASIL announced

Answer 14

2000, 2007 PAC, 2010 PAC2

Question 15

What is PAC2

Answer 15

£50b plan for 10,000km highways, dams, mines, etc. Scientists predict it would destroy or damage 40% remaining Amazon but fundraising issues

Question 16

Deforestation examples

Answer 16

Companies given licenses to sell abroad as export and corporation tax. Road building gives settlement access e.g. 5300km Trans-Amazonian Highway. Unlimited water supply and HEP e.g. 2500 km2 Tuscuri Dam where 8000 lost homes

Question 17

Intensive agriculture impacts

Answer 17

Soya destroys 40ha/min. Pasture absorbs less solar radiation, mechanisation and agrochemicals, GMO and destruction disrupts balance, slash and burn reduces topsoil humidity retention releasing 30-60% C in soil

Question 18

Deforestation effect on economies

Answer 18

BRIC, one of fastest growing 2000s

Question 19

Deforestation effect on native American Indians

Answer 19

1500-2000, 6m to <250,000 Native American Indians

Question 20

Deforestation effect on % illegal timber

Answer 20

80%

Question 21

Deforestation effect on medicines

Answer 21

25% medicines tropical plants e.g. quinine, risk of loss

Question 22

Deforestation effect on temperature

Answer 22

0.26C rise every 10y since 1970s, bake to laterite, water temp kills species and lower O2 conc in water killing reliant eggs

Question 23

Mitigation agreements

Answer 23

Amazon Cooperative Treaty Organisation promotes harmonious development with 8 countries

Question 24

Mitigation reserves

Answer 24

15m ha Para Rainforest reserve

Question 25

Mitigation reforestation

Answer 25

Planted makes up 2% area

Question 26

Governance

Answer 26

Bolsanaro supported PAC, now more environment focused de Silva