amazon rainforest case study

Question 1

stores of water in the amazon

Answer 1

soil water
interception storage
biomass
atmospheric moisture

Question 2

flows of water in the amazon

Answer 2

evaporation
precipitation
evapotranspiration
stem flow
drip flow

Question 3

causes of deforestation

Answer 3

valuable imports for profit making compaies
land use for cattle/commercial farming (60%)
growing urban sprawl
dams and hydroelectric power stations
arrible farming

Question 4

positive economic impacts of deforestation

Answer 4

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

Question 5

negative social impacts of deforestation

Answer 5

indigenous tribe are forced to move
conflict can occur between tribes and illegal countries
tribes wiped out by western illness

Question 6

negative environmental impacts

Answer 6

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

Question 7

impacts of deforestation on the amazons water cycle

Answer 7

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

Question 8

role of tropical rainforests in the carbon cycle

Answer 8

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

Question 9

how many square kilometeres of the rainforest was destoryed 2013-2014

Answer 9

4,800 km2

Question 10

how much co2 is estimated to be absorbed by the rainforest

Answer 10

2.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide

Question 11

impacts of deforestation on the rainforest and carbon cycle

Answer 11

reduces-
photosynthesis, soil and biomass store, leaf decomposition, growth of plants, respiration

increases- CO2 in atmosphere
run off
greenhouse effect

Question 12

effect of climate change in rainforest on
vegetation change

Answer 12

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

Question 13

effect of climate change in rainsforests on
soils

Answer 13

removal of trees takes away nutrients in the soil
less leaf litter for decomposition
soil erosion and exposure

Question 14

effect of climate change in rainforests on
rivers

Answer 14

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

Question 15

mitigation in the tropical rainforest- debt relief

Answer 15

-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

Question 16

mitigation in tropical rainforest- environmental law

Answer 16

-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

Question 17

mitigation in the rainforest- selective logging

Answer 17

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

Question 18

mitigation in the rainforest- replanting

Answer 18

-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

Question 19

mitigation in the rainforest- agroforestry

Answer 19

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

Question 20

international hardwood agreements

Answer 20

-high demand for hardwoods from HICS
-tropical hardwood trees becoming scarce
-international agreement reduces illegal logging and promotes sustainable management

Question 21

example of international hardwood agreement

Answer 21

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

Question 22

ecotourism - sustainable management strategy

Answer 22

controlled amount of visitors
natural travel methods
education
employ locals
keep money in the local economy