Rainforests

Question 1

Lianas adaptations

Answer 1

Lianas are woody vines that start at the first floor, and they use the trees to climb to the canopy and then spread across from tree to tree to receive as much light as possible.

Question 2

Buttress roots adaptations

Answer 2

Rainforests have a shallow layer of fertile soil, so trees only need shallow roots to reach the nutrients. However shallow roots can nit support tallest trees, so have developed buttress roots.
Buttress roots stretch from the ground 2 metres or more up the trunk and help to anchor the tree to the ground.

Question 3

Epiphytes

Answer 3

Epiphytes live on the surface of other plants, usually trunks and branches. By growing above ground surface they are able to reach a position where there is easier access to light. Orchids are a type of epiphyte.

Question 4

Flying squirrels

Answer 4

Have flaps of skin between the upper and lower limbs to enable them to glide between trees.

Question 5

Leaf-tailed geckos adaptations

Answer 5

Are camouflaged to look like leaves so they can hide from predators.

Question 6

Sloth adaptations

Answer 6

They are nocturnal so sleep during the day. This means they are active at night, when the climate is cooler, Meaning that they conserve energy.

Question 7

Nutrient cycle

Answer 7

The nutrient cycle is a sign of interdependence. The hot and wet climate means that the dead plant material is decomposed Quickly, aided by decomposers such as fungi and bacteria on the first floor.
Nutrients are then released by the decomposers in the soil, and made available to plants. By taking nutrients up quickly through their roots, plants are able to grow rapidly.

Any change, for example deforestation, would interrupt the cycle.

Question 8

The water cycle

Answer 8

Rain is either intercepted and evaporated or absorbed by tree roots and returned to the atmosphere by transpiration. This ensures that there is enough water vapour available for precipitation the next day.
Deforestation would lead to a reduction of water vapour in the atmosphere, less Diana don increased risk of drought which would affect the plants and animals that live in the rainforest.

Question 9

Biodiversity in the rainforest

Answer 9

Biodiversity is the variety of organisms living in a particular area, both plants and animals. Rainforest contain 50% of the worlds plant, animal and insect species.

Question 10

Deforestation

Answer 10

Deforestation is the removal of trees from forests. We do this to clear land for far,img and building and for wood to use a fuel of building material.

Question 11

Global rates of deforestation

Answer 11

Globally the rate of deforestation is slowing down, but there are hotspots where the rate is increasing, for example in Nigeria and Borneo.

Question 12

How much land do the rainforest cover

Answer 12

Forests cover up to 30% of the global land area but an area the 1/2 the size of England is lost every year.

Question 13

Subsistence farming

Answer 13

Responsible for 20-25% of deforestation. Many farmers were encouraged to settle in the Amazon as a result of the free land. They clear forests to grow food for themselves and family. Most settle near to roads like the trans-Amazonian high way. As the soil become exhausted the farmers have to clear more land.

Question 14

Commercial farming

Answer 14

Commercial cattle ranching accounts for 65-70% of forests. Other commercial farming such as the growing of soy, rice, corn and sugar cane causes a further 5-10%.

Question 15

Logging

Answer 15

Accounts for 2-3% including illegal logging. Timber is used to build homes and furniture and the pulp is used for paper.
Clear cutting is practised in many areas, when all trees are cut down.

Question 16

Mineral extraction

Answer 16

The Amazon has many huge mines, the rocks beneath the forest contain many valuable materials, eg iron, tin, copper, bauxite, lead and gold.

Question 17

Energy development

Answer 17

The are reserves of coal, oil and gas, however most is focused on hydroelectric power. Rivers are dammed, resulting in a flooding behind the dam.

Question 18

Population growth

Answer 18

In the Amazon there is natural growth in the forest, as well as migration. Between 2000 and 2010 the population of the Amazon increased by 23%.

Question 19

Advantages of deforestation in the Amazon.

Answer 19

Due to Brazil having a lot of foreign debts and poor people. Many Brazilians see deforestation as a way to develop their country and improve standard of living.
Hydro electric power is a renewable form of energy.
Farming makes a lot of money, Brazil is the worlds second biggest exporter of soybeans. Mining also creates a large number of jobs, with the biggest mines employing 3000 people.

Question 20

Disadvantages of deforestation

Answer 20

Most economic activities are not sustainable.
If the rates of deforestation remains at a high level some estimate that the Amazon rainforest could be lost in 100 years.
Mineral resources are finite and will run out in the future causing job losses.
Plants that bring medical benefits and profits could become extinct.

Question 21

Soil erosion

Answer 21

When the firsts cover is removed through deforestation the soil is exposed to heavy rainfall and can be quickly eroded.
The topsoil is washed away into rivers, increasing the risk of flooding p,a don nutrient are washed out (leached). This leaves soil infertile and makes it hard for the forest to regrow.

Question 22

The value of the tropical rainforests

Answer 22

They have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem. If deforestation continues it could lead to a mass extinction of 50% of all earths species.
These forests are home to 20 million people alone, meaning if the first disappears cities will become further overpopulated.
The trees absorb CO2. This helps to regulate the climate and reduce the greenhouse effect.

Question 23

Selective logging

Answer 23

Loggers only fell some trees, leaving most behind, so the structure of the forest isn’t damaged. The trees cut are clearly marked and cut so that minimal damage is caused. Often older trees are selected.
Logging companies often plant new trees to replace the ones that were cut down, making sure that it is the same species of tree. This maintains biodiversity.

Question 24

Education and conservation

Answer 24

Rainforests can be conserved in national parks or nature reserves p. These areas can be used for education or scientific research.
In the Amazon 150 million areas of forest lie within protected areas as part of the Amazon region protected area programme. The government works to manage these areas.
Educating locals about alternative if making money, which don’t damage the environment.
Educating the international community about the impacts of deforestation can encourage people to buy products from sustainably managed forest areas.

Question 25

Ecotourism

Answer 25

A type of tourism that aims to cause minimum damage to the environment, benefits locals and educates people. Environmental impacts are reduced by allowing small visitor groups in an area as well as ensuring that all waste is disposed of properly.
Local people are employed as guides or providing accommodation. This provides them with an income meaning they don’t turn to unsustainable activities.
In Costa rich ecotourism is now the largest source of income for the country, and now 20% of the country is being protected from other development.

Question 26

International agreements

Answer 26

Hardwoods, such as mahogany and teal or in high demand in Rich countries like the uk. As impacts of deforestation may now be global, there are now international agreements to ensure that sustainable growth is promoted.

Question 27

Debt reduction

Answer 27

Debt reduction involves countries or organisations reducing or cancelling debts in return for the rainforests nit being destroyed. This is known as debt-for-nature-swapping.