Amazon Water Cycle

Question 1

What is the area of the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 1

The Amazon rainforest occupies an area of more than 6 million km².

Question 2

In which country is the majority of the Amazon rainforest located?

Answer 2

The majority - 70 per cent - of the rainforest is in Brazil.

Question 3

Apart from Brazil, in which other countries does the Amazon rainforest extend into?

Answer 3

The forest also extends into parts of neighbouring Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and Guyana.

Question 4

What are the climatic features of the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 4

The climatic features of the Amazon rainforest include high average annual temperatures between 25 °C and 30°C, small seasonal variation in temperature, and high average annual rainfall (>2000 mm) with no dry season.

Question 5

What is the reason for the high average temperatures in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 5

High average temperatures are a response to intense insolation throughout the year.

Question 6

What ensures that maximum temperatures in the Amazon rainforest do not reach the extremes of subtropical desert climates?

Answer 6

Significant cloud cover ensures that maximum temperatures do not reach the extremes of subtropical desert climates.

Question 7

What is the percentage of precipitation that is recycled by evapotranspiration in Amazonia?

Answer 7

Between 50 and 60 per cent of precipitation in Amazonia is recycled by evapotranspiration.

Question 8

What are the components of the water cycle in Amazonia?

Answer 8

The components of the water cycle in Amazonia are precipitation, evapotranspiration, run-off, atmosphere, soil/groundwater, etc., and vegetation.

Question 9

Which cities are shown in the climate graph in Figure 4.12?

Answer 9

The cities shown in the climate graph in Figure 4.12 are Iquitos, Vista Rio Branco, and Pôrto Velho.

Question 10

What is the range of months covered in the climate graph in Figure 4.12?

Answer 10

The range of months covered in the climate graph in Figure 4.12 is from July to June.

Question 11

What is the average temperature in the Amazon rainforest, as shown in the climate graph in Figure 4.12?

Answer 11

The average temperature in the Amazon rainforest, as shown in the climate graph in Figure 4.12, is between 25°C and 30°C.

Question 12

What is the average annual rainfall in the Amazon rainforest, as shown in the climate graph in Figure 4.12?

Answer 12

The average annual rainfall in the Amazon rainforest, as shown in the climate graph in Figure 4.12, is greater than 2000 mm.

Question 13

What does Table 4.7 show?

Answer 13

Table 4.7 shows the water flows and storages in Amazonia, including precipitation, evapotranspiration, run-off, atmosphere, soil/groundwater, etc., and vegetation.

Question 14

What is the effect of impermeable catchments on the flood hydrograph?

Answer 14

Impermeable catchments have minimal water storage capacity resulting in rapid run-off.

Question 15

What is an example of an impermeable catchment?

Answer 15

Large parts of the Amazon Basin are an ancient shield area comprising impermeable, crystalline rocks.

Question 16

What is the effect of permeable and porous rocks on the flood hydrograph?

Answer 16

Permeable and porous rocks such as limestone and sandstone store rainwater and slow run-off.

Question 17

What is the effect of relief (slopes) on the flood hydrograph in areas of gentle relief?

Answer 17

In areas of gentle relief, water moves across the surface (overland flow) or horizontally through the soil (throughflow) to streams and rivers.

Question 18

What is the relief like in most of the Amazon Basin?

Answer 18

Most of the Amazon Basin comprises extensive lowlands.

Question 19

What is the effect of relief (slopes) on the flood hydrograph in areas with steep catchments?

Answer 19

In areas with steep catchments, such as the Andes in the west, rapid run-off occurs.

Question 20

What is the effect of temperature on the flood hydrograph?

Answer 20

High temperatures throughout the year generate high rates of evapotranspiration.

Question 21

What is the effect of strong convection on the flood hydrograph?

Answer 21

Strong convection leads to high atmospheric humidity, the development of thunderstorm clouds, and intense precipitation.

Question 22

How is water cycled in the Amazon rainforest between the land surface, forest trees, and the atmosphere?

Answer 22

Water is cycled continually between the land surface, forest trees, and the atmosphere by evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation.

Question 23

What is the effect of annual inundation across extensive floodplains, such as the Pantanal?

Answer 23

Widespread inundation across extensive floodplains occurs annually, storing water for several months and slowing its movement into rivers.