The Amazon Rainforest (Case Study) Flashcards
How much of South Americas landmass does the Amazon cover?
40%
What is the climate of the Amazon?
Hot and wet climate with dense vegetation.
How many plant species is the Amazon home to?
1 million
How many species of mammal are there in the Amazon?
500
How does the water cycle affect the Amazon?
-Wet air is blown over the Atlantic towards the Amazon= high rainfall
-Warm temp= high evaporation= more precipitation.
How does the Amazons canopy affect the water cycle?
Dense canopy= interception is high
=less surface runoff
How are the species in the Amazon adapted?
It’s population is adapted to high humidity and frequent rainfall.
How does the Amazon affect the carbon cycle?
-Carbon sink( stores in vegetation and soil)
-More carbon dioxide= more photosynthesis
Why might we not be able to rely on the Amazon as a carbon sink?
Deforestation has meant there is less vegetation to photosynthesise.
How does deforestation affect the water cycle?
Deforestation
=no tree canopy to intercept. Too much water to infiltrate= more risk of flooding
=Less evapotranspiration= less water is put back in the atmosphere= less rainfall =more risk to drought
How does deforestation in the Amazon affect the carbon cycle?
=Heavy rainfall washes away carbon stored in soil into hydrosphere
=Less leaf litter means less humus which limits new plant growth = less carbon absorbed
=Less CO2 removed from atmosphere.
How does climate change impact the Amazon rainforest?
-Temperature increase = rainfall decrease = risk to drought
- Species adapted to moist weather for in dry climate
-Dry climate = risk to forest fire
Why is a temperature rise so bad for the Amazon? (What do the scientists say?)
Scientists say 4° increase would kill 85% off the Amazon’s rainforest.
Carbon released into atmosphere.
How does selective selective logging limit human impacts on the Amazon rainforest?
-Only some trees are felled (oldest)
If only a few trees from each area are taken the forest structure is kept and can regenerate.
How does replanting limit the human impact on the Amazon?
-New trees are planted to replace deforestation.
Same types of tree must be planted so variety can be kept.
How many trees have Peru promised to restore and by when?
Peru plans to restore 3.2 million hectares of forest by 2020.
How do environmental laws limit human impacts on the Amazon?
Protect the rainforest:
-Ban on unsustainable wood
-Ban excessive logging
-Controls on land use.
Give an example of an environmental logging law that affects land use.
The Brazilian Forest Code
Landowners have to keep 50 to 80% of land as forest.
How does protection limit the affect of human impacts on the Amazon?
Protects biodiversity and encourages sustainable land use.
Damaging practices like logging can be monitored and prevented.
Give an example of how the Amazon rainforest has been protected?
Central Amazon Conservation Complex
Protects 50,000 km^2 area while bringing in tourism.
