Geoecology - Biomes Flashcards
What is a biome
A large area of the earths surface where climate, soil, natural vegetation and animal life are inter related
How are biomes names
Dominant vegetation found in it
Where does tropical rainforest biome lie
In the tropics close to the equator
Country with the worlds greatest diversity of plant and animal life
Madagascar
Continents where there are rainforest
Central and south americañ
Africa
Australasia
Function of rainforest to planter
Produce 30% of our fresh water by transpiration
Has greatest diversity of biodiversity on planet
Provide oxygen
Rainforest in Brazil
Amazon
River in amazon rainforest
Amazon river
Climate at amazon rainforest
Tropical/ equatorial climate
Why is it sunny at tropical climate
Region of maximum solar heating on earths surface
Sunlight strikes at 90° angle.
12 hours sunlight a day
Average temperature in tropical climate
27°
Why is there tropical conventional rainfall
Large heat causes moisture to evaporate. It rises and cools forming heavy rain
Annual rainfall in amazon
2500 to 6600mm a year
What will warmer weather with climate change mean for amazon
Drying months will be prolonged leading to widespread drying
What will climate change results in for animals in rainforest
Unlikely to find suitable environment if they can’t move fast enough eg sloth
Temperature dependent species eg fish, distribution will change
Zonal soil associated with tropical rainforest biome
Latosol
WHere are nutrients found in soil in rainforest
Close to surface (O horizon)
Humification happens quickly due to heat and humidity
Plants use nutrients quickly
Quick nutrient cycle
What soils develop when latosols are heated
Laterite
Colour of latosols
Red
Ph of latosols
Acidic
Latosols humus content
Low,
Rapid production and rapid uptake by plants
What layer of rainforest do most animals live in
Canopy
Why does rainforest have every green appearance despite containing deciduous trees
Trees have different growing seasons
Tropical rainforest trees example
Mahogany
Palm oil
Brazil nut
4 layers of the rainforest
Emergent layer
Canopy layer
Understory
Forest floor
Who lives on forest floor
Indigenous people
Gorilla
Jaguar
Anteater
Who lives in understory
Insects
Snakes
Lizards
Birds in hollows of trees
How high up is canopy layer
20-40m
Who lives in canopy layer
Insects, Spiders Birds Monkey Vines Moses
How high up is emergent layer
40-80m
Who lives in emergent layer
Birds
Tree tops
how do leaves adapt to heavy rainfall
Flexible leaves and branches
Oily coating / waxy
Holes
How do vegetation adapt to hot temp
Smooth, thin bark
No need for protection from water loss like in freezing temperatures
Adaptions of vegetation to soil
Shallow root system because of quick nutrient cycle
Burgess roots and stilt roots to support tall trees
How many insect species in amazon
30mklliom
How have animals adapted to layer
Good at flying/jumping as some never touch forest floor eg Spider monkey, tail can wrap around branch and acts as another arm
When is the dry seasons
June to October
How has an animal adapted to the climate
Dry season - river levels drop and sandy banks exposed. Opportunity for Giant Amazon river turtle to find a high point and lay eggs, hot sand used as incubator
As climate changes seasons change and turtles may not be vale to adapt quick enough
How can some species of frog live away from ponds and river
High humidity level
What animals use camouflage
Moths, stick insects
For protection from predators
Depth of soil
40m
How many species of tree in amazon
2500
Why has deforestation increase in amazon rainforest
The construction of the trans-amazonian Highway
How much of the rainforest remains
87%
Why are rainforests been cleared in Amazon
Agriculture
Building materials
Cattle ranching
What is the largest cause for deforestation in the Amazon rainforest
Cattle ranchung
How much does cattle ranching account for percentagewise of the deforestation
75%
What crops are being grown in the cut done land
Cash crops e.g. soya beans
Impact of deforestation on the biome
Loss of habitat for millions of species
Lack of possible medicinal ingredients
Increases the speed of climate change
Desertification of soil
Why will the extinction of one species in the biome affect others
The plants and animals in the biome a part of a complex web of interdependence
Percentage of species of plants that have been tested for medicinal ingredients
1%
How does deforestation increase climate change
Rainforest = lungs of earth, producing oxygen and absorbing harmful greenhouse gases
Create water vapour through transpiration
How much water vapour does each tree produce a year
775 L
Why will deforestation cause disertification
Tree roots help bond soil and absorb water in tropical rainfall
Leaf fall give plant litter for humus
Exposes soil to wind and sun
Sun-dried out and forms hard brick like laterite
How does government control deforestation
Expand the area is protected
Establish task force IBAMA
Example of cash crop in Brazil
SoyaI bean
Where are Brazil soya bean sent
Europe for animal feed
How is the ranching not suitable for Amazon rainforest soil
The grass cuddles need deplete the soil of its nutrients
The native grass begins to grow
Cattle can’t feed on eight of grass
Farmers clear more land and move their herd
What goes in their area farmers used for cattle ranching
Cash crop agriculture (monoculture)
Examples of natural resources discovered and exploited in Amazon
Gold
Iron ore
Water for hydroelectric power
Evidence of mining
Brazil’s Amazon rainforest is home to the worlds largest iron ore mine carajás
How does mining cause pollution
Toxic materials used to separate the gold from the iron ore spill onto the land and cause water pollution. impact on health of humans and fauna
Government control is relaxed as most mines are small
Hydroelectric power accounts for how much of Brazil’s energy consumption
80%
How do dams damage Amazon
Loss of biodiversity and indigenous Land
Prevent fish from moving upstream disturbing the routine of the biome other interdependence
Villages and indigenous communities of uprooted
How many amerIndians remain in the Amazon basin
600,000
What could be possibly more profitable than deforestation
Eco-tourism
How much of the rainforests precipitation is made up of water from its own transportation
50%
