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Rainforests Flashcards

1
Q

Ecosystem definition

A

A community of plants and animals that interact with one another and their physical environment

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2
Q

Biotic

A

Living - insects, algae, animals

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3
Q

Abiotic

A

Non-living - sunlight

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4
Q

Producer

A

An organism that uses solar energy to produce food

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5
Q

Consumer

A

An organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms

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6
Q

Decomposer

A

An organism that gets its energy by breaking down dead material

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7
Q

Biomes

A

A very large ecosystem found on a regional scale e.g. desert

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8
Q

Distribution of rainforests

A

2% of the earth’s surface
close to the equator

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9
Q

Plants and animals in the rainforest

A

highest biodiversity in the world
lush vegetation

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10
Q

People in rainforests

A

Sustainable system - indigenous people, tribes living in harmony with the rainforest
Harmful - people exploit the rainforest for commercial gain

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11
Q

Soils in the rainforest

A

Not very fertile
Nutrients quickly taken up by plants
Leaching removes nutrients

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12
Q

Water in the rainforest

A

Distinct wet season
High rainfall –> flooding
Water leaches nutrients from the soil

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13
Q

Climate in the rainforest

A

Equatorial climate
High temps
High rainfall

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14
Q

Layers of the rainforest

A

Emergent layer - some trees break through general level of the forest - reach heights of 30m
Canopy - tree cover protecting the ground from heavy rainfall and reduces sunlight
Understory - woody plants and shrubs
Ground - decomposed matter

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15
Q

Why are tropical rainforests found between the two Hadley cells

A

Trade winds blowing towards the equator carry moisture with them - since hot air can hold moisture they experience heavy rainfall

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16
Q

What resources are species competing for in rainforests

A

space, water, sunlight, nutrients

17
Q

Lianas

A

Woody vines that have roots in the ground but climb up trees to reach sunlight

18
Q

Drip tips

A

Plants have leaves with pointy tips allowing water to run off the leaves quicker without damaging them

19
Q

Buttress roots

A

Large roots have ridges which creates a larger surface area to help support the large trees

20
Q

Poison dart frog adaptations

A

If they eat poisonous insects they absorb the toxins
Feet have extra strong suction cups to climb and hold slippery branches

21
Q

Three toed sloth

A

Extra vertebrae to turn their neck 270 degrees to check for predators
Can swim in floods
Gown green algae in fur to camouflage

22
Q

Socio-economic value of rainforests

A

Many foods originate from TRFs
Treatments and cures for illnesses
Biodiversity and habitats - tourism
Job opportunities (mining, farming, logging)
Indigenous tribes - live in harmony
Energy - high rainfall offers the ability to develop hydroelectric power stations

23
Q

environmental value of rainforests

A

Carbon sink
20% worlds fresh water comes from Amazon basin
Biodiversity
Climate
28% worlds oxygen generated in TRFs
soil erosion - canopy intercepts heavy rainfall reducing risk of soil erosion
Reduce impact of global warming

24
Q

Biodiversity

A

A measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem

25
Name the causes of deforestation (7)
logging energy development mineral extraction illegal trade in wildlife agriculture road building settlement and population growth
26
How does logging cause deforestation
Cutting down trees to sell/use the wood accounts for 3% of deforestation logging companies are only mainly interested in high value timber however to access this other trees are removed
27
How does mineral extraction cause deforestation
Mining means that trees are cleared and the top soil is removed in order to access the minerals underground the primary type of mining in the amazon is for gold however other minerals are also extracted
28
How does energy development cause deforestation
The high water levels in the rainforest has led to the development of hydroelectric power stations constructing dams and reservoirs involves flooding large areas of the rainforest Overtime the submerged rainforest causes wood to erode
29
How does illegal trade in wildlife cause deforestation
poaching, hunting and illegal wildlife trafficking are big businesses in Brazil Not directly causing deforestation however it is upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem Ranching (clearing TRF for cattle) is a leading cause of deforestation
30
How does agriculture cause deforestation
Large plantations have been created from cleared areas - oil, soybeans Farmers stay on the same land and attempt to re farm it every year but the ground becomes infertile and nothing will grow
31
How does road building cause deforestation
Roads are required for access to the Amazon Brings in more machinery and heavy transport Deforestation to clear area for roads People settle along roads and the process repeats MOST SIGNIFICANT - long term affect
32
How does population and settlement increase cause deforestation
Economic activities require workers - economic opportunities Greater demand for housing Clear the rainforest to make space for more settlements - migrate for job opportunities
33
List the impacts of deforestation (3)
Climate change - more carbon dioxide in the air (carbon sink) Soil erosion - less interception and soil left exposed - vegetation cannot grow so farmers move land and cut down more trees Biodiversity loss - loss of habitat - break down food chains - irreversible
34
Strategies used to manage the rainforest sustainably (5)
Small scale forestry - selective logging (only felling fully grown trees), agroforestry (growing crops and trees together), replanting - Timber agreement (2006) - restricts trade making it harder to sell - Debt reduction - encourages Brazil to invest in sustainable management - Ecotourism - educate visitors on importance of rainforests - Education and conservation - volunteers and fundraising
35
Flow chart of impact of deforestation
trees removed --> soil exposed to daily heavy rainfall --> nutrients leached away --> soil is left infertile and no new vegetation can grow (irreversible)
36
What is the example of a small scale UK ecosystem
Reigate Heath
37
What human activity could impact reigate heath
Roads - pollution could kill organisms Populated - people could tread on plants Golf course - plants cannot grow/are cut on the green
38
What are some examples of species in reigate heath
Heather Gorse Rabbits Silver studded blue Weasel Dartford warbler Kestrel

Geography (9 decks)

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