Amazon rainforest (water and carbon) Flashcards
What is the primary function of the Amazon rainforest in relation to carbon?
It acts as a major carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
True or False: The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world.
True
What percentage of the world’s fresh water is stored in the Amazon rainforest?
Approximately 20%
Fill in the blank: The Amazon basin covers about _____ million square kilometers.
5.5
What is deforestation?
The removal of trees and forest cover, often for agriculture or urban development.
Multiple Choice: What is the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?
A) Logging
B) Urbanization
C) Agriculture
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
How does the Amazon rainforest influence local rainfall patterns?
It contributes to the water cycle by releasing water vapor through transpiration.
What role do trees play in the carbon cycle?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store carbon in their biomass.
True or False: The Amazon rainforest is home to over 10% of all known species on Earth.
True
What is the term for the process by which trees release water vapor into the atmosphere?
Transpiration
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a consequence of deforestation?
A) Increased biodiversity
B) Soil erosion
C) Higher carbon storage
D) None of the above
B) Soil erosion
What is the estimated amount of carbon stored in the Amazon rainforest?
Approximately 100 billion metric tons.
Fill in the blank: The Amazon rainforest produces about _____% of the world’s oxygen.
20
What is the impact of climate change on the Amazon rainforest?
It can lead to increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, affecting biodiversity and carbon storage.
True or False: Indigenous peoples play a crucial role in the conservation of the Amazon rainforest.
True
What is the primary type of ecosystem found in the Amazon rainforest?
Tropical rainforest
Multiple Choice: Which of the following activities contributes least to carbon emissions? A) Deforestation
B) Reforestation
C) Agriculture
D) Fossil fuel combustion
B) Reforestation
Fill in the blank: The Amazon rainforest is often referred to as the ‘lungs of the planet’ because it _____
produces a significant amount of oxygen.
What is the significance of the Amazon River in the context of the rainforest?
It is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world and supports diverse ecosystems.
True or False: The Amazon rainforest is a stable ecosystem unaffected by human activities.
False
What is the term for the practice of clearing land by burning vegetation?
Slash-and-burn agriculture
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a benefit of the Amazon rainforest?
A) Biodiversity
B) Carbon sequestration
C) Urban development
D) Water cycle regulation
C) Urban development
Fill in the blank: The Amazon rainforest is critical for _____, providing habitat for countless species.
biodiversity
What is one method used to mitigate the effects of deforestation?
Implementing sustainable forestry practices.
True or False: The Amazon rainforest has been largely unaffected by climate change.
False
What is the role of secondary forests in the Amazon?
They help restore ecosystems and sequester carbon after primary forest loss.
Where is the Amazon rainforest
south America
covering Brazil, peru, columbia, and others
What is the annual rainfall of the amazon rainforest
2000mm annually
How much carbon is stored in Amazon rainforest
100 billion tonnes of carbon in biomass
Name some examples of strategies being used to mitigate impacts of environmental change
-Creation of national parks
- The Brazilian Forest code
- National and internation agreeements
How does the creation of national park help mitigate against imapcts of environmental changes?
The Amazon Region Protected Areas (ARPA) - created in 2002 by the Brazilian government:
- By 2018, 60 million hectares of new parks and reserves were created under ARPA
- protect habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity
- reduce conflicts over land ownership
- provide sustainable use options to local communities
- create barriers against deforestation and burning
- maintain forest coverage to lock up carbon
- avoid changes to rainfall patterns.
How many parks and reserves were created under the ARPA?
60 million hectares
How many gigatonnes of carbon emissions were avoided due to the ARPA between 2005-2015?
1.5 billion tonnes of carbon emmisions avoided
What is the Brazilain Forest code?
Legislation on land management.
Legally requires landowners in the Brazilian Amazon to permanently maintain 80% of the land as forest.
Why was the Brazilian Forest code not very successful?
Little to no repercussions for law breakers
No incentives to encourage farmers not to deforest their land
surveys revealed that only 6 % of farmers in both states were actively trying to compensate for past deforestation on their lands.
3/4 of the farmers they spoke with said they would only restore parts of their property if authorities made them do it
