Topic 8 Forests Under Threat Flashcards
Explain the nutrient cycle
Nutrients stored in three ways : living organisms ( biomass )
Dead organic material
The soil
In cycle, nutrients is transferred between these three stores
Whay are deforestation rates increasing
Foreign debt - huge market for goods from tropical rainforest, so it’s an easy way formpoor countries to make money and pay back debt.
Economic development - road and rail projects to promote development open up area of the rainforest to logging , mining snd farming
What is REED
REED is a scheme that aims to reward forest owners in poorer countries for keeping forests instead of cutting them downn
Advantages of REDD
Deals with causes of climate change as well as direct impacts of deforestation
Forest is peotected so remains a habitat for animals
Everyone benefits from reducing emissions
Disadvantages of REDD
Deforestation might oxcur in different areas.
Preventing activities like mining and may affect local communties who depend on the income from them
What is CITES
an agreement to tightly control trade in wild animals and plants
Advantages of CITES
Issue is tackled at global level - trade of endangered species is controlled worldwide
Encourages sharing info about wildlife trade between countries, which raises awareness of threats to biodiversity
Helps different sectors work together
Disadvantages of CITES
Doesn’t protect their habitat - still go extinct due to the impacts of climate change
Rules are unclear.
Not all countries are members
Threats to biodiversity in the Tundra
Acid rain - damages plants leave and makes it harder for them to cope with cold.It can make soils too acidic and kill organisms in lakes and streams
Forest fires - climate dhange leading warmer drier conditions in taiga forest.Increasing the frequency of fires and making the fire season longer
Forest fires can destroy huge numbers of trees
Pests and diseases cause damage to organisms .Warming due to climate change makes it easier for pests disease causing pathogens
