amazon rainforest case study Flashcards
stores of water in the amazon
soil water
interception storage
biomass
atmospheric moisture
flows of water in the amazon
evaporation
precipitation
evapotranspiration
stem flow
drip flow
causes of deforestation
valuable imports for profit making compaies
land use for cattle/commercial farming (60%)
growing urban sprawl
dams and hydroelectric power stations
arrible farming
positive economic impacts of deforestation
development for land mining, farming and energy creates jobs
improved transport opens up tourism
minerals like gold can be sold for high prices
hardwoods sold to HICs provides a source of income
companies must pay tax- govt tax revenue
negative social impacts of deforestation
indigenous tribe are forced to move
conflict can occur between tribes and illegal countries
tribes wiped out by western illness
negative environmental impacts
harmful toxins washed into rivers contaminating water supplies
many animals lose their habitats
increased CO2 in atmosphere will increase global temperatures
harmful fires and pollution
soil becomes infertile
impacts of deforestation on the amazons water cycle
high rainfall,less interception,high surface storage, high run off and soil erosion, flooding
evapotranspiration falls reducing humidity of the atmosphere
no canopy, reduced interception, soil erosion
role of tropical rainforests in the carbon cycle
warm, wet climate = plant growth = photosynthesis
which absorbs CO2
rainforests emit oxygen
store carbon “sink”
decomposition by fungi thrive in warm wet conditions
respiration by plants return CO2 back to atmosphere
how many square kilometeres of the rainforest was destoryed 2013-2014
4,800 km2
how much co2 is estimated to be absorbed by the rainforest
2.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide
impacts of deforestation on the rainforest and carbon cycle
reduces-
photosynthesis, soil and biomass store, leaf decomposition, growth of plants, respiration
increases- CO2 in atmosphere
run off
greenhouse effect
effect of climate change in rainforest on
vegetation change
higher temperatures changes climate leading to exctinction of species
less photosynthesis
less carbon sink effect
a 3C rise in temps could lead to 75% rainforest destroyed
less precipitation
effect of climate change in rainsforests on
soils
removal of trees takes away nutrients in the soil
less leaf litter for decomposition
soil erosion and exposure
effect of climate change in rainforests on
rivers
less vegetation = less evaporation whcih will reduce condensation and reduce precipitation
lowers river bank and dischrage
destroys freshwater ecosystems
dry conditions
destruction of water supply
mitigation in the tropical rainforest- debt relief
-LICs exploit rainforests
-debt for nature scheme
-debts wiped by richer countries in exchange for the promise to conserve the environemtn
-US and Brazil agreement converting $21 million into funds for protecting tropical ecosystem
mitigation in tropical rainforest- environmental law
-regional governments cutting down on illegal logging
-challenges due to remoteness as it may go unnoticed
-satelites method to catch people
-international hardwood agreement
-FSC
-international tropical timber agreement
mitigation in the rainforest- selective logging
only some trees are cut down e.g oldest so most still stand
less damage to water and carbon cycle
canopy layer is retained
soil is not too exposed
forest still able to regenerate
mitigation in the rainforest- replanting
-new trees planted
-peru has a plan to restore 3.2 million ha of forest
-should be same species as ones cut down
-retain biodiversity
-forms a negative feedback loop
mitigation in the rainforest- agroforestry
controlled grwoth of crops in cleared areas surrounded by tree plantations
annual food crops
controls run off and erosion
reduces loss of water, soil material and organic matter and nutrients
international hardwood agreements
-high demand for hardwoods from HICS
-tropical hardwood trees becoming scarce
-international agreement reduces illegal logging and promotes sustainable management
example of international hardwood agreement
FSC- organisation of businesses, NGOs and individuals globally
mark sustainable sourced timber so that consumers are aware of the fact they are not contributing to unsustainable deforestation
ecotourism - sustainable management strategy
controlled amount of visitors
natural travel methods
education
employ locals
keep money in the local economy
