Forests Under Threat

Question 1

how are evergreen hardwood trees adapted to survive in the rainforest?

Answer 1

small slim trunk with no branches

huge buttress roots for support weight so plant can grow tall

Question 2

how do stratified layers help plants adapt to the rainforest?

Answer 2

forest floor, under canopy, canopy and emergent layers help plants receive the right amount of sunlight they require

Question 3

how are epiphytes adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 3

they grow on other plants to get closer to light for better growing conditions

Question 4

how are drip tip leaves adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 4

thick, waxy leaves to prevent them from rotting

Question 5

how are sloths adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 5

huge claws to hang upside down
fur grows away from feet to shed rain water
green algae in fur for camouflage

Question 6

how are primates adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 6

long tails balance them

strong claws help them grip trees

Question 7

what is commercial hardwood logging?

Answer 7

countries sell timber for money so they can pay international debt

Question 8

how is logging a threat to the TRF?

Answer 8

most rainforests are in developing countries where legal systems are corrupt meaning police allow it to happen in return for money

Question 9

how is commercial agriculture a threat to the TRF?

Answer 9

trees are cleared so crops can be grown to make a profit

Question 10

how is subsistence agriculture a threat to the TRF?

Answer 10

nutrients in soil are leached out and weed growth takes over

Question 11

how is mining a threat to the TRF?

Answer 11

roads are built to access mines that encourage loggers and farmers to move in

Question 12

what % of deforestation is linked to mining?

Answer 12

15%

Question 13

how is fuel-wood a threat to the TRF?

Answer 13

those living in the rainforest cut down trees to use the wood for fuel

Question 14

how is climate change a threat to the TRF?

Answer 14

warmer global temps mean weather systems bringing wet weather to equatorial areas is shifted pole-wards so rainforests do not receive as much rain
more droughts which threaten species
forest fires will increase

Question 15

what is REDD?

Answer 15

reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation

Question 16

what does REDD do?

Answer 16

supports schemes that reduce the rate of deforestation

Question 17

what are the advantages of REDD?

Answer 17

attractive funding for governments
provides international expertise to develop the best approaches
protects whole biome

Question 18

what are the disadvantages of REDD?

Answer 18

vague about what counts as forests for replanting

some regions where deforestation is still rapid have signed up

Question 19

what is CITES?

Answer 19

the convention on international trade and endangered species

Question 20

what does CITES do? How many species does it currently protect?

Answer 20

stop the buying and selling of endangered species so illegal collecting will stop
35,000

Question 21

what are the advantages of CITES?

Answer 21

protects endangered species such as the snow leopard

good global coverage

Question 22

what are the disadvantages of CITES?

Answer 22

does not protect ecosystems so deforestation still occurs

relies on countries setting up and funding monitoring systems

Question 23

how are coniferous trees adapted to the taiga biome?

Answer 23

grow close together to shelter from wind
needles contain very little sap meaning they do not freeze easily and can operate in cold conditions
dark green needles helps them to make the most of the little sunlight by absorbing it
conical shape so heavy snow slides off without breaking them

Question 24

how are white rabbits adapted to the taiga biome?

Answer 24

white coat so they can blend in with the white snow
thick coats for insulation
short tails to avoid frostbite
hibernate to allow body temp to fall

Question 25

how much of the earths deforestation occurs in the Canadian taiga forest?

Answer 25

one fifth

Question 26

what is the taiga nutrient cycle?

Answer 26

plants can only grow in the short summer
litter accumulates because decomposition only happens in summer
soils are thin, low in nutrients and acidic
plants grow very slowly due to low nutrient soil

Question 27

what is the rainforest nutrient cycle?

Answer 27

plants grow all year in huge numbers
dead matter drops to the forest floor and decomposes quickly in the warm and wet conditions
fast growing plants take up nutrients very quickly
constant precipitation leaches nutrients down through deep rainforest soil

Question 28

how does acid rain reduce biodiversity in the taiga?

Answer 28

acid gets into soils, lakes and ponds killing insects and their eggs so fewer food is available for migrating birds
soil microbes are killed so nutrients cannot enter the soil

Question 29

how are forest fires caused in the taiga?

Answer 29

lightening strikes and camp fires

Question 30

how do forest fires reduce biodiversity in the taiga?

Answer 30

plants are only adapted to cope with forest fires every 80-100 years but they have become more frequent due to global warming
young species are killed before they can replace the old ones

Question 31

how can forest fires benefit biodiversity in the taiga?

Answer 31

the ash left behind is rich in nutrients

Question 32

how do pests and diseases reduce biodiversity in the taiga?

Answer 32

fungus and mould species damage conifer needles, trunks and roots
insects eat pine cones, needles and young shoots
bark beetles kill trees
silkworm are kept alive by increasing temps

Question 33

how do national parks protect the taiga?

Answer 33

prevent any exploitation of natural resources by conserving the ecosystem, scientific research to find out why the ecosystem is at risk and education to inform visitors why the taiga should be protected

Question 34

what are the challenges of national parks?

Answer 34

attracts tourists who damage the ecosystem

migrating species cannot be protected once they leave the area

Question 35

how does sustainable forestry protect the taiga?

Answer 35

trees are cut down and replaced with native taiga trees so biodiversity is not damaged and habitats are preserved

Question 36

what are the challenges of sustainable forestry?

Answer 36

expensive

only possible for large companies or when international organisations provide funding

Question 37

what are the direct threats to the taiga?

Answer 37

the coniferous trees produce softwood timber which is essential for paper production

Question 38

what are the indirect threats to the taiga?

Answer 38

mining for minerals and fossil fuels

dams are created for HEP

Question 39

how can sustainable biosphere management cause economic tensions?

Answer 39

companies often want to make the most money possible even if it means destroying the environment

Question 40

how does sustainable biosphere management cause social tensions?

Answer 40

must not benefit one group at the expense of another

consulting people on an equal basis

Question 41

how does sustainable biosphere management cause environmental tensions?

Answer 41

cannot regenerate or continue in the long term

conflict with making money and improving living standards

Question 42

what is productivity?

Answer 42

the measure of an ecosystems biomass