Amazon rainforest: introduction

Question 1

the amazon rainforest is………..km2 in area

Answer 1

7.3 million km2

Question 2

the forest covers…% of Brazil’s landmass

Answer 2

68%

Question 3

the amazon rainforest harbours ………………species of bird, ………..species of mammal, …………species of amphibian and ……………………..species of fish

Answer 3

1300 bird
427 mammal
428 amphibian
3000 fish

Question 4

the Western regions of the amazon have no………………..and contain a higher species……………than the south and east
there are also more…………………..(parasitic plants) here, creating more……..habitats

Answer 4

no dry season
higher species diversity
epiphytes create more niche habitats

Question 5

on a local scale, different habitats are created thanks to the rainforest’s ………………….

Answer 5

tree layers

Question 6

the tree layers of the forest are:

Answer 6

• emergent layer
• canopy
• understorey
• forest floor

Question 7

how are rainforest plants and trees adapted to water interception?

Answer 7

leaves have drip tips which funnel water droplets off the leaves and straight onto the rainforest floor below

Question 8

on a national level, the amazon houses……% of all known species on earth

Answer 8

10%

Question 9

one case study on a local level is the relationship between the ……………………tree, the …………………and the ……………………….bee, as well as the …………orchid plant

Answer 9

Brazil nut tree
Agouti
female Euglossine bee
Gongora orchid plant

Question 10

the Brazil nut tree, the agouti, the female euglossine bee and the gongora orchid plant are ‘linked’ because:

Answer 10

• the agouti is the only animal able to open the Brazil nut’s pod of fruit, so is the only one able to spread its seeds
• the female euglossine bee is the only pollinator which fertilises its flowers
• the male euglossine bee relies on the gongora orchid to attract females

-in this way, a decline in any of these populations will affect the others