CASE STUDY - The Amazon Rainforest

Question 1

Describe the stores of carbon in the Amazon rainforest

Answer 1

• forms a carbon sink of 1-3 gtc per year
• the rise in CO2 levels in the atmosphere is causing growth spurts in trees and resulting in them growing quickly and dying earlier

Question 2

Describe the stores of water in the Amazon rainforest

Answer 2

• over 2000mm rainfall annually
• up to 1/2 of this rainfall is intercepted and never reaches the ground
• provides over 175,000m^3/s of water discharge to the Atlantic ocean

Question 3

How is climate change impacting the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 3

• predicted that by 2050, average temperatures will increase by 2-3 degrees

Question 4

Describe the vegetation changes in the Amazon rainforest and its impacts

Answer 4

• WWF (world wide fund) predicts that 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been lost
• increase in droughts and unusually high temperatures
• a 2009 study found that a 3 degree rise in temperatures could destroy 75% of the ocean

Question 5

Describe the soil changes in the Amazon rainforest and its impacts

Answer 5

• deforestation has left the land exposed
• top soil of the amazon stores between 4-9kg of carbon
• heavy rainfall that isn’t intercepted washes the soil into the rivers

Question 6

What impacts have the changes to the rainforest had on the rivers in its drainage basin?

Answer 6

• increase in slit being rushed into rivers
• overall reduction in river discharge
• increase in flash flooding

Question 7

Give 2 ways the Amazon rainforest is being mitigated

Answer 7

• creating national rainforests and park reserves (Para rainforest reserve)
• ACTO (Amazon cooperation treaty organisation) promotes harmonious development