Rainforests Flashcards
what dose the key term biodiversity mean?
number of different animal and plant spices in an area
Why dose the topical rainforest have a high biodiversity
rain forests have high biodiversity:
- the climate is perfect for year-round growth (hot and wet all year)
- rainforests are ancient and have a stable climate, so thousands of different species have evolved
- the multiple layers in a tropical rainforests provide numerous different, specialised habitats
explain two ways that plant are adapted to the conditions in the tropical rainforest
- some plants live in the canopy on trees and have evolved to get all there nurturance from water and air rather than the soil.
- most rainforests leaves have a thick waxy layer with drip tips these shed water quickly to prevent leaves rotting.
why is there a smaller litter store in the rainforests?
there is a small litter store because in hot, wet conditions, bacteria and fungi decay the dead matter quickly, returning nurturance to the soil. this is called a large decay transfer
what will happen to the soil if the trees are cut down?
without the forests to protect it the litter and soil are easily eroded by the the heavy rain
why do tropical rainforests have complex food webs
they have a large variety of spices’ that are all interconnected and some even praying on each other
define deforestation
deforestation - the deliberate cutting down of forests to exploit the forests resources
what are the 4 reasons for deforestation
demand for resources, economic development, debt, poverty
how might the use of satellite technology help prevent deforestation
you could use the satellite technology, to show a difference in rainforests in an area
explain the difference between direct and indirect threats to rainforests
direct threats are deliberate attempt to destroy the rainforests
indirect threats theses come form global issues
why has the rate of deforestation in Amazonia slowed since 2004
new forest code laws, require landowners to preserved up to 80% of forested they own, has been strictly enforced and the government cracked down on illegal logging
give 2 advantages and disadvantages of CITES
advantages:
-works very well for high profile ‘cute and cuddly’ animals
- many countries have signed up
disadvantages:
- It protects spices, not ecosystems so does not prevent deforestation
- species have to be under threat to be on the list by which time the problem might be too simious to solve
describe how the rainforests is protected in the Juma sustainable forest reserve?
the locals are paid not to cut down the rainforest. the idea is to give people an alternative income so they no longer need to cut down the forest. the money to pay for the conservation is donated by TNC’s, Brazilian banks and the reginal government
has the Juma been successful? give tow advantages and disadvantages of the project
advantages:
- ecotourism is being developed to provide to provide extra income for families
- without protection 60% of Juma’s forests would have gone by 2050
disadvantages:
- the huge area is hard to police so illegal logging may continue
- local people have signed away their right to use products may stop
what are the environmental and economic benefits of sustainable forest management.
environmental: protects forest biodiversity and other resources shush as rivers; using renewable energy to limit pollution
economic: reducing poverty by creating income from alternative livelihoods
