The Amazon Flashcards
Carbon Cycle in Amazon
Dead trees emit estimated 1.9 billion tonnes of carbon/year
Absorbs around 2.2 billion tonnes of carbon/year
Recent years has seen emittance overtake absorbance - Carbon Source Instead of Sink
Water Cycle in Amazon
Evapotranspiration causes 48% of Precipitation
Amazon has 20% of all river discharge globally
Relies more on Evapotranspiration than groundwater flow and percolation - Faster Cycle
Impacts on Cycles
Carbon Source instead of Sink
Transpiration rates lowering
Flash Floods
Rainfall reduction - causing potential for wildfires and droughts
Biodiversity lowering
Increased Temperatures
Increased Soil Erosion and Decreased Soil Compaction
Human Causes of Impacts
Deforestation
Agriculture
Logging
Mineral Extraction
Energy Development - Hydroelectric Dams Built
Population Growth - Settlements
Burning - Clearance
Mitigation of Impacts
Reduce Fossil Fuels
Specific Area Protection
Change Infrastructure Planning
Education of Population
Alternative Energy and Material Resources
Investment in Conservation
Protection of Specific Species AND Indigenous Tribes