Rainforest Drought Flashcards
1
Q
What do climate change models suggest is happening to the northern hemisphere
A
Biomes are moving north e.g. desert in Spain and wet places get wetter
2
Q
Why is the Amazon rainforest important?
A
Key in offsetting carbon emissions but a tipping point may be reached where temp and precipitation inhibit growth and so the biome may turn to Savannah
3
Q
What happened in the Amazon in 2005?
A
A mega drought damaged 70 million hectares in the South West
4
Q
What happens to carbon storage during drought?
A
- less CO2 absorption due to dieback of branches and death of trees
- CO2 emissions increased due to wildfires and decomposing wood
- soil erosion meant there was less carbon storage
5
Q
Why are droughts in Amazonia so significant?
A
May cease to exist as a sink and act as a source which accelerates global warming and cause a change of biome so forest would no longer provide a regulatory service
