Natural Regions (Rainforest) Flashcards
Three examples of rainforest areas
Amazon
Madagascar
Congo Basin
Why are rainforests found here?
Its hot and wet all year round which is perfect for growing trees. There is a lack of seasons here and every month is very similar to the others.
Why is it so wet?
Heat causes air to rise which leads to lots of convectional rainfall
Why is it so warm here?
The suns rays have less atmosphere atmosphere to pass through at the equator. The suns rays are also more concentrated here due to the curve of the earth. Dark coloured trees absorb more energy.
2 Named examples of tribes
Penen tribe in Borneo
Boro tribe in Amazon
Layers of the rainforest (4)
Emergent layer
Continuous canopy
Under canopy
Shrub layer
Explain the rainforests ecosystem
The rainforest ecosystem is very fragile and depends upon leaves decomposing to provide nutrients for the soil. If there are no trees in the area the soil quickly becomes infertile. Also id there are no trees, the daily heavy rain lands straight on the soil washing it away also making it infertile.
Shifting cultivation
- Clearance is made “slash and burn”
- Crops are planted
- Within 4/5 years the soil becomes exhausted
- Clearing is abandoned and gradually forest returns
Rainforest plant adaptations (7)
- Buttress roots - allow trees to grow tall without falling over
- Some plants get nutrients from killing insects
- Strangler figs use existing trees as a frame to get sunlight (Killing tree in the process).
- Lianas do a similar thing without killing the tree
- Drip tips shed water to stop rotting
- Fan palm trees spread out their leaves and rotate them to catch and follow the suns beams
Rainforest animal adaptations (7)
- Camouflage
- Look dangerous
- Long tails help moneys balance
- Birds have a different shaped bills so they are not all competing for the same food
- Orangutans use tools
- Some animals move slow to save energy
- Some rarely leave the safety of the canopy
Why is deforestation happening? (7)
Because countries want to make money to become developed.
1. Palm oil plantations
2. Sell timber (Mahogany)
3. Cattle ranches
4. To mine valuables
5. New roads
6. Growing population = Growing cities
7. Hydro power schemes
Impacts of deforestation (6)
- Global warming gets worse
- Soil erosion make rivers useless for tribes
- Wipes out plants and insects that could have been used as medicines
- Destroys culture and way of life for tribes
- Animals and plants become permanently extinct
- Less forest space leads to more conflict (e.g. between tribes and loggers)
What can be done to stop deforestation? (As a country) (4)
Sustainable development
1. National parks
2. Eco-tourism, tourists can stay with tribes
3. ‘Liana project’ ‘Rubber tapping’ using rainforests resources without damaging
4. Rainforest alliance
What can be done to stop deforestation? (As an individual) (3)
- Using recycled paper products
- Sponsor an animal
- Buy an area of rainforest
What can be done to stop deforestation? (Internationally)
Countries with rainforests agreed to stop all deforestation by 2030 at a climate summit.
