Case study- amazon rainforest

Question 1

What are the characteristics of the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 1

• Mostly located within the tropics and within the equatorial belt. An area of 5 degrees either side of the equator.
• Ideal growing conditions provided.
• Almost 50 million species of aminals and up to 480 species of trees per hectare.
• Fight for sunlight results in stratification.
• A low temp range, average 28 degrees.
• High rainfall, daily convectional storms.
• 2000mm of rain each year.
• No defined seasons.
• High humidity due to rapid evapotranspiration.

Question 2

Describe the water cycle in the TRF?

Answer 2

(See Diagram)

• Rainfall occurs in daily downpours.
• 25% evaporates while 75% is used by plants and returns as transpiration.
• Dense canopy intercepts most rainfall, some will evaporate.
• Transferred to forest floor by drip flow and stemflow.
• Plants have shallow roots to directly absorb rainwater and nutrients.
• Water only stored in the soil store for a short period of time before utilisation.

Question 3

Describe the carbon cycle in the TRF?

Answer 3

(See diagram)

Store 2100g c/m2 per year

• Warm wet conditions are ideal for plant growth which encourages photosynthesis and allows plants to absorb a high level of co2.
• Wood is 50% carbon so huge carbon stores.
• Respiration by trees and animals return co2 to the atmosphere.
• Decomposition is an active process as thrives in warm wet conditions.

Question 4

Deforestation and its causes?

Answer 4

Deforestation is the removal of trees without adequate replanting.
- 95% of deforestation occurs in the tropics.

Causes:

• Agriculture
• Logging
• Hydroelectricity
• Settlements
• Roads and railways

Question 5

What are the consequences of deforestation in the rainforest?

Answer 5

• Evapotranspiration can no longer occur so runoff increases and precipitation decreases.
  Recycled rainfall no longer occurs.
• Photosynthesis ceases until new pants are able to colonize the area. Reduces the amount of co2 stored.
• 137 species of animals extinct per day.
• Deforestation largely due to fires which release harmful black smoke into the atmosphere as well as releasing previously stored carbon.
• Up to 10% of the world’s species will die out within the next 25 years due to loss of habitat caused by deforestation and land used for settlements and farming.
• Decomposers become largely absent

Question 6

How can the forest be used in a more sustainable way? (Ecotourism/ sustainable tourism)

Answer 6

• Restrict visitor access to walkways, there are centers for research and education to try to generate the importance of protection laws.
• Sepilock, is also an important conservation site that helped Malaysian government invest more resources into protecting rainforest.

Question 7

How can the forest be used in a more sustainable way?

Alley cropping

Answer 7

• An alternative to slash and burn and offers a sustainable farming solution.
• Fast growing saplings planted on previously farmed land, trees form a canopy, creates dark space where plants die. This returns nutrients to the ground and plants can grow again.

Question 8

How can the forest be used in a more sustainable way?

Nature reserves and national parks

Answer 8

• Help to protect species and reserves also allow tourism to happen (brings income) while still protecting wildlife and the environment.
• Area should be protected and developed to create income for local communities.
• May be difficult to fund long term, if governments only look at short term approach of money.