Section 2 - Rainforests Flashcards
What is a rainforest
A very hot and wet biome located near the equator with the greatest biodiversity on earth
What does interdependence mean
the dependence of 2 or more things working together
What is the usual average temperature
20-28 degrees
What is the usual rainfall pear year
2000mm
Why is the soil not very fertile
the consistent rainfall washes all of the nutrients away
What is the most common tree
Evergreen trees
What percentage of the worlds biodiversity does the rainforest hold
around 50%
What is Biodiversity
biological variety of species and plants
Name 3 adaptations of plants in the rainforest
- Thick waxy leaves
- Buttress roots
- Lianas (climbing plants)
Name 3 adaptations of animals in the rainforest
- Flaps of skin enabling gliding
- Camoflague
- Strong limbs
What’s the purpose of thick waxy leaves
The pointed tips and wax allow surface run off meaning the plants aren’t damaged and don’t grow fungi
What’s the purpose of Buttress roots
Support the trunk of trees so they don’t fall over. Also help CO2 intake due to large surface area
What is the purpose of Lianas
Climb up to the sunlight for photosynthesis
What is the purpose of skin flaps
Enable animals to glide from tree to tree to escape predators and travel quickly
What is the purpose of Camouflage
To hide from predators
What is the purpose of having strong limbs and swimming abilities
To climb trees and catch prey
Name 2 challenges for animals in the rainforest
- competition for food
2. Constant rainfall
Name 3 causes of deforestation
- Logging
- Cattle ranching
- Illegal mining (Garimpeos)
- Highway and road development
Name the 4 layers of rainforest
- undergrowth
- shrub
- canopy
- emergents
What percentage of fresh water does the rainforest have
20%
What percentage of world oxygen comes from rainforests
28%
What percentage of medicine comes from the rainforest
25%
How can we sustainably manage the rainforest
- Selective logging
- International agreements
- Ecotourism
- Debt reduction
what is selective logging
Selecting trees at a certain height so they do the least amount of damage to the environment when they fall
what are international agreements
countries agreeing to only buy sustainably sourced trees with an FSC stamp. This means illegal loggers can no longer sell lots of trees and stop logging
What is ecotourism
Living naturally in the rainforest to maintain conservation of the area and giving back to the amazonian community
What is debt reduction
Countries saying that if deforestation rates are lowered, the country will owe less debt
