geog 10/11

Question 1

how are epiphytes trees adapted to use other trees and plants

Answer 1

• live in high canopy on branches of tall trees seeking sunlight
• get their nutrients from water and air rather than from the soil

Question 2

how has the kapok tree adapted to the rainforest

Answer 2

• fast growing trees that out compete the other trees to reach the sunlight to maximise photosynthesis- such trees are called emergents

Question 3

how are buttress roots adapted

Answer 3

• massive ridges that help support the base of tall trees and help transport water. also help the oxygen/co2 exchange by increasing surface area
• act as anchors as roots underground are small and shallow to collect nutrients

Question 4

how are drip leaves adapted in the rainforest

Answer 4

• many leaves have ‘drip tip’ to allow water from the heavy rain drip off the leaves onto the rainforest floor
• prevents tree from losing branches which break after being weighed down by water and help to direct water to roots

Question 5

how are lianas adapted in the rainforest

Answer 5

• woody creepers are rooted to ground, but grow around and up existing trees to gain access to sunlight higher up where they have their leaves and flowers
• wrap around a host tree to absorb nutrients

Question 6

why has deforestation decreased in brazil

Answer 6

• rate of deforestation in brazil have reached a record low in the past few years. this is because the USA have said that they would stop trading with brazil if they didnt stop chopping down the trees in the rainforest

Question 7

how has deforestation led to loss of biodiversity

Answer 7

• RF are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Deforestation destroys the ecosystems and many habitats that exist on the ground and in the trees. this reduces biodiversity
  -137 plants,animals and insects lost every single day
• 50,000 species a year

Question 8

how does deforestation contribute to climate change

Answer 8

• during photosynethsis, trees absorb co2 and emit oxygen.co2 is a greenhouse gas that is partly responsible for global warming.by absorbing co2, trees store the carbon and help to reduce the rate of global warming.
  Can affect it because:
• trees give of moisture by transpiration, reduces the moisture in the air resulting in a drier climate
• process of evaporation uses up heat and cools air, if trees are cut down, cooling stops and temps rises
• trees are carbon sinks so they store co2 as soon as they are cut this releases co2
  all these cause global warming and warmer climate so melting of ice caps which increase sea levels rise

Question 9

how does deforestation lead to soil erosion

Answer 9

• when forest is cleared, the thin top soil is removed by heavy rainfall. once top soil is removed, nothing can grow their. soil quickly loses what little fertility it had. unfertility leads to plantations being abandonned and more area cleared

Question 10

where is svalbard

Answer 10

• a norwegian territory in the arctic ocean
• ## population is 2700

Question 11

what are the opportunities for development in Svalbard

Answer 11

• TOURISM, people come to visit the extreme environment and most come from norway to hike, see northern lights. in 2011, 70000 people visited
• ENERGY, coal fire provide all energy however they think they should use geothermal energy to generate electricty. it is located to mid atlantic ridge and rocks are close to the surface
• FISHING, one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. extremely important breeding and nursery grounds for fish and need to be protested from pollution. jointly controlled by russia and norway
• MINERAL EXTRACTION, it is the main economi activity, more than 300 people are employed in the mines and as support staff. recent years, indurtsy has faced decline due to lower world coal prices and jobs have been lost

Question 12

what are the challenges of living in Svalbard

Answer 12

• CONSTRUCTION, working outside is limited due to light in winter, so most construction is carried out in summer. perma frost can be a good solid foundation but has to be protected from melting. if it melts buildings can become unstable.most raods are made of dirt or gravel and raised above the ground
• EXTREME TEMPERATURES, winter temperatures can fall below -30’c. such extreme temps can make it harder to work outisde. people have to dress very warmly and tis can make outdoor work very low and difficult
• SERVICES, these are very important to residents and tourists who expect comfortable conditions with warm rooms and hot water. most services are provided to individual buildings by overground heated pipes. they have to be kept overground to prevent them from melting permafrost and allow easy maintenance