Topic 8: Forests Under Threat Flashcards
What adaptations do evergreen hardwood forests have to manage in rainforests?
They are slow growing and reach top of the emerging layer and absorb the most sunlight
What are some causes of deforestation?
- Commercial logging
- Mining
- Demand for biofuels
- Commercial agriculture
What are some impacts of of dams (to produce HEP)?
Local land is flooded in the production of dams, ruining the soil.
What are some impacts of commercial logging?
More large scale commercial logging is being done, using up and destroying more land.
Name a Global Action organisation movement.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
Why may global actions like CITES and REDD not work in the future?
They rely on countries setting up and maintaining policing and funding systems. This means countries with the highest levels of poverty will not receive protection.
Why is subsistence agriculture a threat to rainforests?
Farmland means the cutting down of trees to make room for crops and livestock.
Why is fuelwood demand a threat to rainforests?
Local people have to chop down trees to use the wood for cooking and warmth in order to survive, resulting in deforestation.
Why does the rainforest cycle have so many layers to it?
There are many species of different size and level living in the rainforest, meaning it gets more complicated than over biomes.
What adaptations do primates have in order to survive in rainforests?
Long tails- essential for balance and hanging on branches
Strong claws - gripping trees
Waterproof fur - shed off any excess water
What are ‘dip trips’?
A type of leaf in the rainforest that is adapted to shed excess water by having a long, pointed tip for water to drip off.
What are the 4 layers of the rainforest?
Shrub layer, under-canopy, canopy, emergents
What are the 3 nutrient stores in the rainforest?
- Living organisms
- dead organic materials
- the soil
