Amazon Rainforest - Case study Flashcards
Where is the Amazon rainforest?
Either side of the equator in South America. Occupies 68% of Brazil.
7.3 million sq km.
What is the climate like in the Amazon Rainforest?
Hot and wet. Monthly temps range between 25-27 degrees and rainfall around 2600mm annually. Most rainfall is from heavy convectional rainfall, and skies are usually cloudy.
What is the flora and fauna like in the Amazon rainforest?
The most biologically diverse ecosystem in the world.
1300 bird, 430 amphibian, 430 mammal, 380 reptiles, and 3000 fish species.
Vegetation usually vertically stratified into emergent, canopy, undercanopy, shrub and herb layers
What are the soils like in the Amazon rainforest?
Tropical soils (latosols) are deep because warm, wet conditions encourage intense weathering of bedrock. Heavy rainfall encourages leaching, leaving soils acidic. Leaves behind soil rich in iron and aluminium (ferralsols)
How are plants adapted to the climate in the amazon rainforest?
Canopy trees umbrella shaped - maximise sunlight. Straight trunks to conserve energy.
Leaves are large - maximise photosynthesis.
Emergent leaves smaller - reduce transpiration.
Drip tip waxy leaves.
Shallow tree roots
Epiphytes and lianas are vines
How are animals adapted to the Amazon rainforest?
Strong bills pry open nuts and fruit.
Specially developed hands and feet cling to branches.
Camouflage
What are the main biome threats to the Amazon rainforest? (6)
Cattle ranching, soya bean agriculture, colonisation, hydroelectric power generation, logging, oil and gas extraction
Why is cattle ranching a threat to the Amazon rainforest?
Accounts for 80% of deforestation
Why is colonisation a threat to the Amazon rainforest?
Overcrowding in urban areas puts pressure on government to build new areas
What are the ecological consequences of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?
Is a fragile environment - and unless seeds germinate rapidly, they will be decomposed fast.
Complex and highly specialised relationships exist within rainforest species - this could impact them all.
Loss of certain species can result in a loss of many more.
What can be done in the future to protect the Amazon rainforest?
Establishing clear property rights over land.
Paying owners not to cut down trees
Encourage markets to buy legally registered sourced forest products.
Monitoring deforestation.
Expanding areas like national parks.
Ecotourism
How does Brazil protect the Amazon rainforest?
Brazil obtains 40% of its energy from renewable sources. Recognises deforestation damages reputation
