Rainforest Flashcards
Basic Characteristics of rainforests
Variety of wild life(large biodiversity)
Found in ;South America and Central America, South East Asia
High rainfall as global atmospheric circulation causing area of LOW PRESSURE to form at Equator- Rising air causes Clouds to Form triggers heavy rain
Deciduous trees
Canopys of Tropical Rainforest
Upper Canopy- Hardly exposed emergent trees branchless trunks receives most sunlight -out compete other trees to reach sunlight
Middle Canopy- the Most Productive layer as trees have LARGE PHOTOSYNTHETIC SURFACE LEAVES. “Drip Tips” help them shed water quick and effectively
Lower Canopy - Shaded less substantial trees waiting to take ADVANTAGE of next Available LIGHT SPACE
Lianas- woody creepers rooted to the ground but CARRIED BY TREES into CANOPY
Shrub Layer- Limited Ferns and Younger trees because lack of SUNLIGHT
Thick buttress roots help SUPPORT base of Tall Trees and help transport water
Bacteria and fungi rot fallen leaves and dead plants /animals
How have plants adapted to rainforests
Plants and animals found in CANOPY where there is MOST LIGHT
Forest floor is dark because lack of sunlight
Plants animals and fungi (biotic factors ) fragile relationship with temperature moisture and soil (abiotic factors)
Causes for Deforestation
Logging- Malaysia became the world’s largest exporter in tropical wood during 80s’
With clear felling where all trees are chopped down in an area
Mineral extraction- Rainforests have been cleared and destroyed for mining and road construction.
Drilling for gas and oil.
Commercial farming- Malaysia largest export of palm oil in the world
Ten year tax incentive for plantation owners increasing more deforestation for plantations
Population growth and Settlement-poor people in urban areas of Malaysia encouraged by government to move into countryside from RAPIDLY GROWING CITIES -transmigration
56’-80 15000 hectares of rainforests was felled for settlers
Subsistence farming -traditional communities hunt and gather food from forest. This is small scale and substantial. However one method of farming from these communities called “slash and burn” theses can dangerous as these fires can grow destroying large areas of the forest.
Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia
Reduces biodiversity and potential destroying undiscovered plant species
Soil erosion-soil can be destroyed deforestation means soil can easily become loose and erode easily
Biodiversity- Destroys animals habitats who live on ground in trees can cause animals to go to extinct
Contribution to Climate Change- Trees give off moisture by process of transpiration:deforestation reduces the moisture in the air resulting in drier climate
The process of evaporation uses up heat and cools air; if trees are cut down this cooling stops so temperatures will rise
Economic advantages in Malaysia from Deforestation
Development of land mining creates jobs both directly (construction and farming) and indirectly (supply and support industries)
Hydro-electric power will provide cheap and plentiful energy
Minerals such as gold are very VALUABLE
Improved transport infrastructure opens new areas for industrial development and Tourism
Economic Disadvantages in Malaysia from Deforestation
Pollution of water sources and increasingly dry climates can result in WATER SHORTAGES
The number of TOURIST ATTRACTED by rainforests could decrease
Plants that could bring huge Medical Benefits and High Profits may become extinct
Rising temps could destroy forms of farming such as growing tea and flowers
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
Biodiversity-Tropical Rainforests contain half of all plants and animals
Home to thousands of different species
Medicine -25% of all medicines come rainforests plants
More than 2000 tropical forest plants ANTI-CANCER properties
Water - Rainforests are important sources for clean water
20% world’s fresh water comes from the Amazon Basin
Resources- Tropical Rainforests tree provide valuable hardwood as well as fruits nuts and rubber.
Reasons For why rainforests should be managed sustainably
Maintain rainforest lasting resources
Allow valuable rainforests resources to be used without causing long-term damage
How rainforests can be Managed
Selective logging/replanting- Fully grown trees are cut down. Trees that have ecological value are left unharmed. AVOIDS CLEAR FELLING
Conservation and Education- Encourages preservation of rainforests in national parks or nature reserves. Can also be used for education
Ecotourism- Countries such as Malaysia or Costa Rico promote their forests for ecotourism.
Aims to introduce people to natural world to help benefit local communities and protect environment for the future.
Provides long-term income to local people and governments
International agreements- rainforests understood to be of global importance.
International agreements been made to help protect rainforests.
E.g Debt reduction
- Some Countries that borrow money from others have reduced Debts in return that rainforests will not be DEFORESTED.
Some Countries borrow money to fund developments to pay off debts, some of these countries raised money from massive DEFORESTATION PROGRAMMES
