Rainforests Flashcards
Define what an ecosystem is?
A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment
Define what a biome is?
A larger ecosystem found on a regional scale
Define what nutrient cycling is?
Process where organisms extract minerals for growth from soil/water before passing on through the food chain
Define what biotic factors are?
Relates to living parts of an ecosystem
Define what abiotic factors are?
Relates to non-living parts of an ecosystem
Give 3 examples of biotic factors?
Plankton
Bacteria
Insects
Give 2 examples of abiotic factors?
Sun/heat
pH levels
What is a food chain?
Shows the direct links between different organisms
What is a food web?
Shows the complex hierarchy of plants and animals and how they rely on each other
Where are coniferous forests located and give some characteristics of them?
60 degrees North
Cold dark winters but warm summers
Trees are cone bearing so photosynthesis all winter
Where are Deciduous forests located and give some characteristics of them?
50 degrees North
Trees shed their leaves in winter
Climate is moderate with mild and moist conditions
Where are Deserts located and give some characteristics of them?
30 degrees North and South
Sinking air in the latitudes supress rain
Hot in the day but cold in the night due to no cloud cover
Where is the Mediterranean located and give some characteristics of them?
40-5 degrees North of equator
Hot and dry summers, wet mild winters
Where is the polar/tundra located and give some characteristics of them?
Arctic and Antarctic
Extremely cold throughout the year
Brief warm summers
Limited precipitation
Where are Tropical Rainforests located and give some characteristics of them?
Close to the equator
Concentrated heat from the sun heats moist air increasing rainfall
High temperatures and rainfall mean that conditions are ideal for plant growth
Where are Savannahs located and give some characteristics of them?
15-30 degrees North and South
Tropical climate means wet and dry seasons
Fires are cause by lightning strikes in dry seasons
Where are tropical rainforests located?
Cover 2% of the earths surface. Found around the equator in S America, Asia and W Africa
What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?
Thrive in high temperatures of around 27 degrees.
High rainfall with 2,000ml per year
Creates lush vegetation
What is the soil like in tropical rainforests?
Soil isn’t very fertile with nutrients concentrated to the upper topsoil - this is quickly used by plants
Leaching means nutrients are spread further down due to rain
What are the people like in tropical rainforests?
Forests are home to many tribes and live in harmony with the environment
These tribes do become affected by human interaction with illness ect
What are the plants and animals like in rainforests?
Amazon is home to 50% of all plant and animal wildlife
Birds and mammals live in the tree tops with predators like snakes on the floor and trees
What is the water like in rainforests?
Most rainforests have a distinct rainy season. Experience high rainfall for months on end. Leaching will occur where nutrients are carried away by the rain.
What 3 resources will species compete for in the rainforest?
Sunlight, food, water/nutrients
How are drip tips adapted to the rainforest?
Capture water and send it downwards to the forest floor
How are Lianas adapted to the rainforest?
Feed off trees and climb to the top to capture sunlight
How are Buttress roots adapted to the rainforest?
Large so added stability in ground are in abundance so water can be stored
List the names of each part of a rainforest? (Top to bottom)
Emergent
Canopy
Understorey
Ground Layer
Give 3 ways in which the rainforest in socially and economically valuable?
- High amount of resources such as wood, nuts, fruits, mineral and spices
- 25% of all medicines come from rainforests
- Employment is provided due to tourism as guides or stewards. There is also construction, farming and mining
Give 3 ways in which the rainforest in environmentally valuable?
- 50% of world plants and animals come from the rainforests
- Rainforests act as a carbon sink absorbing CO2 - offsets global warming
- Contributes to 28% of the worlds CO2
How does commercial farming cause cause deforestation?
This occurs due to cattle and crop farms as well and deforestation for paper, palm oil and soya beans
How does logging cause deforestation?
Hardwoods like mahogany and teak are valued for their ability to be kept outside.
Also wood is used for fuel, pulp and charcoal
How does road building cause deforestation?
Roads bring new supplies and access to mines and settlements. Clearing trees as well for the roads to be built
How does Mineral Extraction cause deforestation?
Mining is extensive in countries like Brazil. Roads are made and forests are cleared to continue mining. If mines expand then deforestation would increase
How does Energy Development cause deforestation?
Due to high amounts of rainfall, ideal conditions are created for hydro electric power. In Brail the Belo Monte Dam blocks a river flooding 40000 hectares
How does settlement and population growth cause deforestation?
Settlements have developed to service the developments in Brazil such as farming which means more homes must be built
How significant is the local climate change and why?
Severe - change in rain ect means forest may die out and leave people without homes
How significant is the soil erosion and fertility and why?
Significant - soil won’t be full of nutrients and plant life may decrease
How significant is the river pollution and why?
Severe - as the water will affect humans and animal life and affect some plant life
How significant is the decline of tribes and why?
Significant - many tribes live away from humans and live in peace- human activity disrupts this
How significant is the climate change and why?
Severe - due to deforestation a lack of carbon sink is on offer. Climate change affects all part of the world as well
How significant is the biodiversity loss and why?
Significant - as many species only inhabit the rainforests and are vital to how the world runs
How does small scale forestry help manage rainforests?
Allows only certain trees to be cut and decreases soil erosion.
Trees can also be replanted so that they grow in the same spot helping soil erosion
How did the 2006 timber agreement help manage rainforests?
Means that less hardwoods or sought after woods will be cut down in forests
How does debt for nature help manage rainforests?
Mean countries will let in debt countries put a large share of the money into protecting the rainforests
How does ecotourism help manage rainforests?
Allows more people from other countries to see how the rainforests are good for the planet and educate them in the dangers of deforestation. Then tell them how they can help.
How does education and conservation help manage rainforests?
Means more people can tackle the challenges and support the rainforests as well as making the problems more aware globally
How does deforestation impact the rainforests?
Soil erosion and fertility is affected as top soil is thinned and looses nutrients to rain.
Leads to plants with medical purposes dying out.
Means people may not get life saving medicine leading poor illness or death.
