Global Ecosystems- Amazon

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

Worlds largest tropical rainforest covering 40% of S.America
1 million plant species
500 mammal species
2000 species fish

Question 2

2 main threats- Deforestation

Answer 2

13% forest gone
Used for mining, logging, agriculture and mostly cattle ranching(60%)

Issues are increased forest fires and soil erosion and decrease in biodiversity

Question 3

2 main threats- Overhunting and overfishing

Answer 3

Locals live traditional lifestyle so rely on hunting and fishing for food
Pop growth causing hunting growth
Brazilian Amazon locals consume 2.2-5.4 million primates per year which is unsustainable as they reproduce slowly
Knock on effect of loss of species

Question 4

The Central Amazon Conservation Complex (CCAC)

Answer 4

Aim to protect biodiversity in 49000 km2
2 sustainable development reserves created where hunting+logging is only subsistence-limits put in place
Locals paid to help with fisheries management, ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and handicraft Eg- Fibrarte project
Education projects to teach how to help conserve

Question 5

Success of conservation efforts

Answer 5

(CACC)Conservation complex- stopped major developments

SDRs improved biodiversity, Black Caiman population increased by 100%

Economic Alternatives Program promote sustainable activities and reduce poverty average income increased by 50-99%

Local education and health have improved

Question 6

Issues remaining

Answer 6

Reserves are large and understaffed so hard to monitor illegal activities

Restricting areas of total protection hard as understaffed- Jau National Park= 4 perm staff

Pop growth puts stress on ecosystems as some areas suffer from intensive farming and hunting
Pop growth means even CACC areas still deforested around edges