Case Study- The Amazon Rainforest Flashcards
HowMuch carbon is stored in the Amazon rainforest?
1/5 of all carbon on the planet
How much of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed?
750,000 km²
Where is the Amazon?
south America
How many tons of carbon is stored in Amazon?
80- 220 billion tons of carbon
What is the result of sequestrating of CO2 from the atmosphere?
Carbon sequestration has increased pay activity and increased above ground biomass by 0.3 to 0.5% per year
What is a 2015 Street show about the Amazon rainforest?
It shows that Amazon is less able to absorb CO2
What has happened to the net uptake?
It is halfway by its peak of 2 billion tonnes of CO2
What is happening to the trees in the Amazon due to the carbon cycle?
Growth spurt= dying younger
What is the average rainfall annually in the Amazon rainforest?
2300 mm
Why are Precipitation levels high on Amazon?
Hi evaporation over the Atlantic Ocean equals wet air blowing towards Amazon
What happens to half of the rainfall?
Half of rainfall is intercepted by the canopy then evaporate into the atmosphere
What percentage of rainfall reaches the sea?
30%
What are they effects of the slash and technique?
- reduction porosity of soil
- sudden evaporation
- increased albedo and temperature
What are three effects on the water cycle of deforestation?
- run off rates increased =flooding
- no canopy to intercept rain and sunlight
- little evapotranspiration, but the moisture that does evaporate= shallow cumulus clouds-= little rain = drought
What are three effects on the carbon cycle from deforestation?
- no roots to hold soil= washes away top layer= carbon in hydrosphere
- less leaf litter=no humus=no new growth=less co2 absorbed
- less tress = less photosynthesis =enhanced greenhouse effect
