The Amazon Rainforest Flashcards
Precipitation in the Amazon
- annual rainfall of 3000mm
- 25% evaporated
- 75% intercepted, 50% is used by plants other 50% is infiltrated
Why did deforestation increase and what year
In 2019 bolsonoro was elected who encouraged deforestation for hydroelectric dams
How much did deforestation decrease due to Lucas presidency
35% in the first 6 months
How many rely on water from the Amazon?
30,000 rely on the river
Positive feedback loop due to deforestation
Trees cut down means less interception and less humidity so drought so plants die and potential droughts and forest fires
How much carbon is lost via combustion deforestation
Up to 60% is immediately released
How much carbon do TRFs absorb?
1.5 billion tonnes of carbon a year
How much of brazils carbon emissions are down to deforestation?
70%
How much land was cleared in 2022 and how does this compare to 2021?
In 2022, 2 million hectares were deforestated which is a 21% increase from 2021 (think 21 for both)
How much of deforestation is related to agriculture?
62%
Key stats:
- largest TRF covers 40% of SA
- home to over 1 million plant species and many endangered species such as the black caiman
Describe the water cycle in the Amazon:
- lots of evaporation over Atlantic which is blown over the Amazon
- warm temps so lots of evaporation
- dense canopy so lots of interception
Effects of deforestation:
- no interception so more run off and leeching
- drought as less evaporation
- leaf litter isn’t decomposed
- more CO2 in atmosphere
Mitigation of deforestation
- selective logging
- national parks such as Central Amazon Conservation Complex CACC protects 49,000km2
- Brazilian forest code says land owners must keep 50-80% o f their land as forest
- replanting in Peru meant 115 acres were rep,anted between 2016 and 2019
Impacts of climate change
- increased temps, drought and forest fire
- a temp rise of 4C could kill 85% of the Amazon
