Case Study: Amazon Rainforest

Question 1

What are the 4 Layers of the Rainforest?

Answer 1

-Emergent Layer
-Canopy Layer
-Understory/Shrub Layer
-Forest Floor

Question 2

What is a Tropical Rainforests Place in the Carbon Cycle?

Answer 2

-Respiration by many plants, trees and animals return Co2 back to the atmosphere.
-Decomposition of bacteria and fungi thrive in the warmth and wet environment releasing Co2 back into the atmosphere
-Once leaf litter accumulates underground, no aerobic decomposition can occur. The carbon stored creates peat with some carbon being removed by streams in the rainforest

Question 3

What is the Impact of Burning the Rainforest?

Answer 3

Burning is a quick way of clearing rainforest and is cheap, fast and effective. The blackened stumps and ground surface is carbonized wood. The carbon burnt is emitted into the atmosphere. Deforestation is a leading contributor towards global warming

Question 4

What is the Impact of Replacing the Amazon with Alternative Uses?

Answer 4

Stores and flows operate at much less effectiveness, when burnt the rainforest releases 30-60% of Co2 immediately. The rainforest typically stores 2.2b tones of Co2 whilst emitting 1.9b tones. Now it only stores 1b tones and can no longer be a continental carbon sink. Carbon in runoff increases, photosynthesis decreases, negative sequestration loop. Estimated 2-3C temperature increase in rainforests. Reduced rainfall and increased temperatures would kill 20-40% of the Amazons trees

Question 5

What is the TARAPOTO?

Answer 5

A process that helps to achieve harmonious forest developments. Began in 1995, 8 countries identified 12 criteria to help manage forest sustainably at a national and global scale. Ecological and economic zoning, investment in education, research and technology all put forward to mitigate actions taken

Question 6

What is REDLACH?

Answer 6

The Latin American Technical Cooperative Network on Watershed Management. Helps to reduce impacts on soil erosion and drainage within the rainforest

Question 7

What are Some of the International Agreements?

Answer 7

FSC- Forest Stewardship Council, they aim to obtain more sustainably renewable sources of wood

UNESCO sites- National Parks were now to be more common in areas of the rainforest and it was enforced that they should be protected from illegal logging companies

Question 8

What is the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization?

Answer 8

ACTO aims to promote the sustainable development of the rainforest, 8 countries attempt to reverse forest loss and protect, restore and afforest the rainforest

Question 9

What are the Main Ways Chosen to Combat Deforestation?

Answer 9

Agroforestry- Combination of planting trees with annual crops, vegetation holds more Co2.

Law and Enforcement Centres- Making catching and detaining illegal activity easier

Reforestation- Replant trees in heavily deforested areas and reverse some water based processes

National Parks- 49.4% of the Amazon is a protected area