Amazon Rainforest Case Study Flashcards
Where is the Amazon rainforest?
Located in South America running across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana
How big is the Amazon Rainforest?
5.5 Million km^2
What are the four layers of the forest?
Emergent, canopy, under canopy and shrub and herb
What are the key types of vegetation found here?
Palms, epiphytes and vines
How many species of tree are found here?
80,000
How many trees are in the rainforest?
300 Billion
How much of the global carbon biomass is found here?
20%
How much of the worlds photosynthesis happens here?
30-50%
What is the average temperature?
28 degrees Celsius
What is the average rainfall per year?
3000mm
How much of the average rainfall is intercepted by the forest?
75%
How much of the total rainfall is then evaportranspirated back into the atmosphere?
35%
What are the main drivers of change in the Amazon?
Deforestation and cattle ranching
How much of the rainforest has been lost to deforestation?
17% over the last 50 years
How much was lost between 2000 and 2007 due to deforestation?
19,386km^2
What percentage of deforestation happens due to cattle ranching?
80%
Is the rainforest a carbon sink or carbon source?
Generally it is a sink due to mass photosynthesis, however when burned it becomes a source
What three schemes are in place to mitigate against climate change in the Amazon?
- The creation of national parks, forest reserves
- Agroforestry
- Reforestation
What national park has already been created?
The Jau national park that covers 5.6 million acres and is considered a UNESCO site
What is agroforestry?
The process of planting annual crops within the forest
What do the trees do during agroforestry?
They hold more carbon, which reduces climate change
What is reforestation?
The process of replanting trees into areas that weren’t woodland before, therefore expanding the forest
What two International polices are in place to protect the forest?
- The Tarapoto process
2. The Amazon cooperation treaty organisation
What is the Tarapoto process?
An agreement met by 8 countries in 1995 the sustain the forest by eco-zoning, land policies, education and research
What is the Amazon cooperation treaty organisation?
An organisation made up of the 8 countries in the Tarapoto process that protects the rainforest through protection, restoration, afforestation and reforestation
