Topic 8 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the specialised characteristics of tropical rainforests

A

Warm wet climate means plant grow quickly
Dense leaf cover protects floor from wind and rain and root systems hold soil together
Lack of wind on floor means that plant rely on insects such as bees for pollination ( symbiotic relationships are common in rainforests )
Lots of epiphytes where plants grow on trees for sunlight, they depend on rainfall for water and nutrients

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2
Q

How do changes to the rainforest have knock on effects

A

Deforestation reduces amount of Co2 being absorbed which increases the greenhouse effect and climate change

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3
Q

Rainforest structure and some adaptions

A

Emergents: tallest trees, have thick buttress roots to hold the trunks
Main canopy: continuous main layer of trees
Undercanopy: younger trees which have not fully grown yet
Shrub layer: dark from leaves blocking light, shrubs have large leaves to get maximum sunlight

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4
Q

Adaptations of plants

A

Thick waxy leaves with drip tips to channel water off to stop mould of the leaf being weighed down
Trees have smooth, thin bark because they do not need to protect themselves from the cold
Lianas use trees to climb up to sunlight
Plants drop leaves gradually through the year so they can grow all year

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5
Q

How are some animals adapted to the rainforest

A

Monkeys have strong limbs to spend all day up in the canopy
Animals are camouflaged to hide from predators or catch prey
Animals can swim across rivers
Adapted to low light levels on forest floor with heighted hearing and smell to avoid predators

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6
Q

How are nutrients cycled through a rainforest

A

Nutrients are stored as: biomass, dead organic material ( leaf litter ), the soil
Nutrients are transferred between these stores

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7
Q

Why are nutrients rapidly transferred in tropical rainforests

A

Trees are evergreen, so dead leaves fall all year
Warm, moist climate means decomposers can quickly release soluble nutrients by breaking down dead biomass so nutrients quickly enter the soil
Nutrients are rapidly taken up from rapid plant growth

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8
Q

How do rainforests have high biodiversity

A

Rainforest has been around for 10s millions of years without climate change which allows time for lots of plants to grow
Layered structure provides lots of habitats, plants and animals adapt to specific environments so lots of species develop
Rainforests are stable environments with constant rain and high temps. This means it’s productive so nutrients can cycle quickly so lots of plants can always grow and animals can always develop

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9
Q

How do rainforests have complex food webs

A

So many species so many links can develop between components e.g. jaguars eat many different prey
Animals can be both secondary and primary consumers e.g. fruit bats eat fruit and also mice which have eaten grass

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10
Q

Why is the rainforest being deforested

A
Local demand for fuel wood
Mineral resources
Electricity ( HEP )
Commercial hardwood ( furniture )
Commercial farming ( palm oil )
Local subsistence farming 
Demand for biofuels
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11
Q

What environmental impacts does deforestation have

A

Soil is not held together by roots, can be washed away by rain
Nutrients are washed out of soil by rain not being caught by canopy
Trees remove co2 and burning trees releases co2 so deforestation adds to the greenhouse effect

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12
Q

How can climate change be an indirect threat to the rainforest

A

Increase in temperature and less rainfall causes drought
Drought causes ecosystem stress as many animals that are adapted to moist conditions die
Drought can also cause forest fires

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13
Q

Why is deforestation rising in areas give examples

A

E.g. borneo and nigeria
Poverty - more small scale subsistence farmers
Foreign debt - selling goods from rainforests can help countries pay back debt to richer countries
Economic development - road and rail projects to promote development open up areas to logging, mining and farming

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14
Q

Why is deforestation decreasing in some areas give examples

A

E.g. costa rica and brazil
Government policies - costa rican government has invested in ecotourism and pays landowners to reforest
International condemnation - puts pressure on by naming and shaming deforesting countries
Monitoring systems - e.g. Global Forest Watch ( GFW ) provides satellite data to track forest loss. Stops illegal logging

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15
Q

What is REDD and CITES

A

Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation
Scheme that aims to reward forest owners in poorer countries for keeping forests

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Agreement to tightly control trade in wild animals and plants

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16
Q

Adavantages of REDD

A

Deals with cause of climate change and deforestation
Forest is protected so remains a habitat for species
Everyone benefits from reducing emissions
Relatively cheap

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17
Q

Disadvantages of REDD

A

Deforestation may continue in another area
Aspects of REDD are not clear: rewards can be given from cutting down trees and replacing with palm oil plantations which are low in biodiversity
Local communities may suffer from banning agriculture and mining as they need income from them

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18
Q

Advantages of CITES

A

The issue is tackled at a global level so endangered species trade is controlled all over the world
Raises awareness of threats to biodiversity by education

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19
Q

Disadvantages of CITES

A

Although individual species are protected from poaching, their habitat may be destroyed so they can still go extinct
Rules are unclear e.g. on ivory trade
Not all countries are members

20
Q

What is sustainable forestry

A

When a forest is used in a way that prevents long term damage, whilst allowing people to benefit from the resources it provides in the present and future

21
Q

Economic challenges of sustainable forestry

A

Ecnonomkc benefits only seen long term, effects poorer countries who need income immediately
More expensive so it is difficult to persuade companies to adopt sustainable methods
Funding from IGOs and NGOs, if priorities of the organisations change then the funding will stop

22
Q

Environmental challenges of sustainable forestry

A

Replanted trees may not resemble natural forest, entire ecosystem may not be restored
Replanted trees will grow slowly and more forest will be cut down before these trees have matured
Selective logging can damage lots of trees in the process of removing target trees

23
Q

Social challenges of sustainable forestry

A

Sustainable forestry provides fewer jobs to locals so many can turn to illegal logging
If a population of a forest area increases then demand for resources increases and not enough resources can be supplied to match demand

24
Q

What is ecotourism

A

Tourism that minimkse forest damage and benefits local people
Small amount of people allowed into an area at once
Environmental impacts reduced as litter and wasted are disposed of safely
Provides a source of income for local people
Can raise awareness of conservation which can bring in more money
Local people employed in tourism do not have to log or mine for income so deforestation decreases

25
What are sustainable farming techniques
These techniques protect the soil so that the land remains productive Agro - forestry: trees and crops planted at the same time so the tree roots bind the soil and the leaves protect it from heaving rain Green manure: plants which add nutrients to the soil are planted to maintain soil fertility Crop rotation: crops moved between fields each year with one left empty so soil can recover
26
How are Taiga Forests interdependant ecosystems
Plants get nutrients from the soil and provide the nutrients to animals which spread their seeds through their dung Plants grow slowly in cold climates and decompose slowly. Therefore soil is low in nutrients Herbivores rely on mosses for food and migrate to where plants can grow for them. Predators follow them In summer, trees absorb heat from the sun and and shade the ground below, this prevent the permafrost ( which provides water to plants ) from thawing
27
How do changes to the Taiga ecosystem have knock on effects
Chopping down trees can cause permafrost to thaw which floods land and prevents plant growth. It also releases trapped greenhouse gases which leads to global warming and climate change ( threatening animals )
28
How are teees adapted to the Taiga forest
Evergreen - don't drop leaves and can make best use of available light Needles instead of flat leaves to reduce water loss from strong, cold winds Cone shaped to stop snowfall from breaking branches, branches also bendy to stop snapping
29
Animals' adaptations to the Taiga
Larger mammals are migratory so they move long distances to find food Well insulated with thick fur Can hibernate to conserve energy White coats to camouflage in snow from predators
30
Why is nutrient cycling slow in Taiga forests
Trees are evergreen to drop needles all year round Low temperatires means that litter is broken down slowly as conditions are too harsh for many decomposers Low soil fertility Cold climate means plants grow slowly so the rate of transfer of nutrients from soil to plant is low
31
Why do Taiga forests have low biodiversity
Land was covered by ice until about 15000 years ago so animals have not had time to adapt Simple structure means less habitats so fewer species Taiga forests less productive as nutrients are cycled slowly, growing season is short so their is nkt much food and a struggle for survival
32
Why is the taiga exploited
``` Logging for softwood - housing, furniture, matches Exploitation of fossil fuels Pulp and paper production HEP Exploitation of minerals ```
33
How is acid rain causing loss of biodiversity
Burning fossil fuels release gases which dissolve in water in the atmosphere to make acids which are deposited on plants and soils It damaged plants' leaves and makes it harder to cope with cold It can make soils too acidic to support growth
34
How is pests and diseases causing loss of biodiversity
Many pests and disease are specific to one species and as there is often a particular species of tree in taiga areas it is easy for them to spread which causes damage Warming from climate change is making it easier for pests and disease causing pathogens to survive New pests and disease are arriving so attacks are increasing
35
How is forest fires causing loss of biodiversity
Forest fires are natural as they allow for new growth Climate change causes warmer, drier conditions so frequency of fires is increasing They destroy huge numbers of trees and may alter species numbers as some are better at recolonising burnt areas than others May also breaks forests up into smaller sections which affects migratory animals which need a lot of space to find food
36
What is creating a wilderness area
An area that is undisturbed by human activity with the aim of protecting the landscape
37
What is a national park
Area that is mostly in its natural state that is managed to protect biodiversity and promote recreation
38
What is sustainable forestry
Ways of harvesting timber from forests without damaging it long term
39
Strengths of a wilderness area
Highest level of protection Area is kept as pristine as possible Cover large area so large scale processes can take place e.g. migrations
40
Strengths of a national park
May be established to protect particular species Cover large area Unsustainable human activity not permitted Good access for tourists
41
Strengths of sustainable forestry
Limits can be placed on number of trees felled or size of clear cut areas to allow forest to regenerate Companies can be required to regenerate the area after logging Selective logging means means some trees remain to become part of new forest
42
Challenges of creating a wilderness area
Large areas hard to police Economic pressure on governments from logging, mining and energy companies who want the resources Pressure from companies and tourists to build roads to allow greater access
43
Challenges of national parks
Must take into account the needs of local communities who use land for hunting Tourism may be required to pay for conservation, but access roads, infrastructure and pollution from tourists may harm ecosystem
44
Challenges of sustainable forestry
Some countries struggle to reinforce restrictions May be a lack of clear management or information about the ecosystem Different groups may not agree with rules and restrictions
45
Why should the taiga forest be protected
The forests store lots of carbon and deforestation will release this as Co2 which causes global warming Some species exclusive to taiga forest, can go extinct with destruction of forest Indigenous people rely on forest for their way of life
46
Why should the taiga be exploited
Demand for resources is increasing, forests provide the wood, fuel and minerals that people need Forest industries of logging and mining provides jobs Exploitation of the forest generates a lot of wealth for countries involved