Amazon Rainforest Flashcards
How many tonnes of carbon in the amazon
80- 120 billion tonnes
Since the 1990’s the net uptake of co2 has ………
Halved
Average rainfall in the rainforest
2300mm per yr
Rainfall may exceed …… in the northwest
6000mm per yr
How much rainfall reaches the sea?
How much reaches the ground?
30%
Only half reaches the ground.
An area the size of what country was destroyed between 2000 and 2007?
Greece
What ranking is brazil in climate pollution?
% of ghg attributed to deforestation…
4th largest climate polluter.
59% greenhouse gasses attributed to loss of forest & burning.
How has deforestation affected rainfall?
Evapotranspiration = salt and fibres for condensation nuclei.
No salt and fibres = no rain clouds.
Effects of slash and burn on rainforest.
5
- less retention of humidity
- sudden evaporation
- increased albedo
- Increased surface temp (8.9*c increase)
- reduced porosity = erosion and silting.
What is the predicted temperature rise in the amazon. By 2050
2-3*c
Causes of vegetation loss
Deforestation. But also significantly due to CC
What percentage of forest will doe in the next 100 yrs due to a 2* rise in temp?
20-40%
A 4*c temp rise will lead to …
85% or the rainforest to be destroyed.
Why is vegetation affected bu CC
Alter conditions
Temp, drought, seasonality
Affecting species sustainability.
What are the effects of deforestation on the soil?
Removes carbon stored,
Leaching, soil washed into river.
Effects of warming temperatures on the river
Kills temp. Dependent species.
Reduces o2 conc. in water. Affecting larvae and eggs
Changes biodiversity. New species and species die.
Affects of precipitation rainfall and seasonality on rivers.
- reduced discharge
- increased silt
- flash flooding
- freshwater supply destroyed.
What are some mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of human activity on the c&w cycle.
- reforestation
- enrichment
- forest biofuels
- national parks/ resevoirs.
Example of a national reserve in the amazon
Para rainforest reserve
15 million hectares.
What does ACTO stand for?
American corporation
treaty organisation.
= harmonious forest development.
LATCN
latin American Corporation Network on watersheds management.
