Rainforests Flashcards
Global distribustion of rainforests
In the Tropics occurring in central and Northern South America (Amazon Rainforest) , West central Africa (Congo rainforest) and South east Asia.
Rainforest conditions
Total annual rainfall: 2000mm per year
Average annual temp: 27’c
Seasonality: consistent temperatures all year round with a wet season in the summer and drier season in the winter
Temperature range: 2-3’c
Rainforest structure
High canopy
Middle canopy
lower canopy
There are high rates of insolation and solar radiation with high rates of precipitation and convectional uplift = more rainfall
High rates of interception in the middle canopy and overland water flow via streams and rivers = high rates of leaching and infertile latosol (top soil)
High rates of photosynthesis and carbon capture and nutrient uptake through shallow root systems to access decayong matter on forest floor.
Plant adaptations (flora)
Tallest trees are emergents reaching up to 50m
Epiphytes are plants that grow high in the forest canopy between branches to access water and dead leaves decaying in crevices
Tallest trees have butress roots that are wider and help stabilise the tree.
Leaves are smooth large and dark green with drip tips to collect the max amount of sunlight and shed water quickly
They have smooth bark as they have to grow quickly to outcompete other trees for the light
Animal adaptations (fauna)
Poison dart frog:
bright colours and excretes poison signalling danger and warns off predators
Sloth:
mossy covered camouflaged fur to blend in and avoid predators
thick dense coats to keep them dry from the heavy downpours
3 extra neck bones to turn up to 270’ to see predators
long sharp claws to grip to branches in the canopy
Jaguar:
good swimmers, with camouflaged fur, fast movements, large claws and strong bite to be effective hunters and catch prey
the large claws help them to climb trees to reach prey
sharp canines help to grip and tear flesh
biodiversity
the variety of different species within an ecosystem
farming creates a monoculture with little to no biodiversity at all.
deforestation
the chopping down and removal of trees to clear an area of forest
rates have been increasing as poorer LEEs tap into their rich natural resources to mine and harvest expensive trees to sell raw materials to HICs and the global market
Sustainability in the Rainforest
selective logging: as only one tree targeted the others can remain and the forest recover
International agreements about the use of tropical hardwoods:
The international timber agreement 2006 promoted the use of sustainably managed sources for tropical wood from legally sourced areas.
Ecotourism:low scale with low visitor volume, locals employed and visitors educated with limited electricity and development
Conservation: protection preservation and management/ restoration of tropical faorests and communities.
Brazilian government policies have changed since President Lula came into office in 2023 and deforestation rates have decreased!
Debt reduction and conservation swaps: The rainforests are found in the poorest countries who often have no choice but to exploit them for natural wealth. Countries have portions of their debts paid by HICs in return for protecting the forests also called conservation swaps.
