Tropical rainforests Flashcards
How much rainfall do tropical rainforests receive annually?
Over 2000mm
What are the temperatures like in TRFs?
Between 20 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius
What characteristics are present in TRFs due to high temperatures?
Rapid evaporation which leads to increasing humidity, convectional rainfall and no seasons
TRFs have a rich…..
Biodiversity
How much of the world’s plant, animal and insect species are included in TRFs?
50%
What species is an example of interdependence?
The Agouti is the only animal who can crack open the seed pod of the brazil nut and at the nut inside
Sometimes the agouti bury the nuts which then sprout into seedling and new brazil nut trees grow
If the agouti population declines the brazil nut tree will decline also
So would the animals who live in or feed on the brazil nut tree
The humans who collect the nuts would be negatively impacted
How do you approach ‘describe…using the graph’ questions?
2 points and back them up with figures from the graph such as specific readings, max/min, average or total
Describe three characteristics of the soil in the tropical rainforest
Red colour due to high iron and aluminium content
Thin and quite infertile on the lower part of the soil
Thick layer of leaf litter and decomposing organic matter on the surface
What is the nutrient cycle?
The circulation of nutrients between biotic and abiotic elements, ensuring that plant life receive elements such as nitrogen, magnesium and potassium
Describe the nutrient cycle in the tropical rainforest
Trees shed leaves all year round
Decaying vegetation decomposes rapidly with the help of termites, slugs and fungi (decomposers), releasing nutrients
Nutrients enter the soil surface but don’t get a chance to sink in
Shallow roots quickly take up the nutrients
The nutrients helps the trees to grow rapidly
The nutrient cycle in the rainforest is an excellent example of…
Interdependence
The nutrient cycle in the rainforest is…
Fragile
If the vegetation is removed, heavy rainfall can quickly ____ and carry away nutrients from the soil (leaching) creating a latosol. The rain can ____ the soil away
Infiltrate
Erode
Explain why there are high levels of biodiversity in the tropical rainforest
The climate is hot and wet and therefore provides optimum conditions for plants to grow which results in high levels of biodiversity.
The nutrient cycle is rapid so it means lots of plants can get lots of minerals to grow
Locations of tropical rainforests tend to be remote and untouched. This means there is less human activity like deforestation and allows for high levels of biodiversity to occur
Buttress roots
Wide deep roots
These stabilise the tree and increase SA for oxygen and CO2 exchange and help transport water
Lianas
Woody creepers rooted to the ground but carried by trees into the canopy where they have leaves and flowers (maximise sunlight they receive)
How do leaves with flexible bases help plants?
Flexibility in their base helps leaves turn to face the sun
How does thin, smooth bark help trees?
Allows water to flow down the tree easily and stops other plants from growing on tree surfaces
Drip tip leaves
Allow the heavy rain to drip off the leaf
This prevents algae growing which could block sunlight and stop photosynthesis
How big is the emergents layer?
30-60m
Eagles, bats, monkeys, butterflies
How big is the canopy layer?
15-30m
How big is the under/lower tree canopy layer?
5-15m
How big is the shrub layer?
Less than 5m
How are toucans adapted to live in the TRF?
They have a large beak
This is useful to reach fruit on branches that are to small to hold
It is also strong in order to break branches and nuts
How are squirrel monkeys adapted to live in the TRF?
Prehensile hands, feet and tail which means it can grip onto tree branches
This helps it to move around the tree canopy to find fruit
How are jaguars adapted to live in the TRF?
Fur is camouflaged to mimic the dappled light coming through the dense tree canopy
How are stick insects adapted to live in the TRF?
Skin colour and markings which camouflage it to look like a twig
How are colugo adapted to live in the TRF?
It is able to glide between the trees because it has skin connecting its arms and legs. This creates a wing-like feature. Gliding helps save energy
What is a symbiotic relationship?
Close relationship between two species
Definition of deforestation
Large-scale removal of trees leading to the destruction of extensive areas of forest
How many hectares of rainforest are disappearing each year?
17 million
What are 6 causes of deforestation?
Farming
Logging
Cattle ranching
Building dams for hydroelectric power
Mining
Roads
Describe the location of Malaysia
Asia (SE)
North of the equator
East: Pacific Ocean
West: Indian Ocean
Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand
1000 miles between mainland Malaysia and Borneo
Describe and explain logging as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Malaysia became the world’s largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s.
Clear felling, where all trees were chopped down in an area was common and this lead to the total destruction of forest habitats in those areas
This has recently been replaced by selective logging
Malaysia partake in logging as through selling tropical wood, they generate more income for the national economy
Describe and explain subsistence farming as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming. They hunt and gather food in cleared pockets of forest and this is small-scale and sustainable
They do this in order to survive
Describe and explain commercial farming as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world
Plantation owners receive 10-year tax incentives so increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Describe and explain road building as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Trees are cleared out to build roads to provide access to mining areas, new settlements and energy projects
Logging also requires road construction to bring in machinery and take away timber
Describe and explain mining as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Mining (mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia
Rainforest has been cleared for mining and road construction
Drilling for oil and gas has recently started on Borneo
Materials can be sold to other countries, generating income and providing supplies
Describe and explain energy developments as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Energy developments like HEP take up lots of space
High rainfall in tropical climates creates ideal conditions for HEP, particularly in highland areas which are suitable for building dams across a valley
There are many dams suppling HEP in Malaysia. The Bakun Dam was completed in 2011 and supplies industrial areas in peninsular Malaysia
As Malaysia develops and the population grows, there is an increasing demand for energy
Describe and explain building new settlements as a cause of deforestation in Malaysia
Between 1956 and the 1980s, about 15,000 hectares of rainforest were felled for settlers. Government is encouraging poor urban people to move to the countryside (transmigration)
This is due to opportunities in TRF and for national economic gain
Define monoculture
Farming of one crop
Define subsistence farming
A type of agriculture producing food and materials for the benefit only of the farmer and their family
Define shifting cultivation
A form of agriculture in which an area of ground is cleared of vegetation and cultivated for a few years and then abandoned for a new one until its fertility has been naturally restored
Define slash and burn
A method of agriculture in which existing vegetation is cut down and burned off and it is used as a method for clearing forest land for farming
Define commercial farming
Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies
Advantages of palm oil plantations in Borneo
Palm oil is a super-efficient crop, meaning that a lot more palm oil can be produced per area of land compared to other oil crops
Also oil palm trees do not require as many pesticides or fertilisers to be used when growing them
Finally, the palm oil industry offers jobs to people living in poverty in LICs, thereby improving their quality of life
Disadvantages of palm oil plantations in Borneo
Palm oil production is said to have been responsible for about 8% of the world’s deforestation between 1990 and 2008. This is because forests are burned to clear areas where people can grow oil plants
Burning forests destroys plants and wildlife, reducing biodiversity. Species like orangutans are severely affected. They have decreased by 50%
Forest fires release high levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to climate change. This causes extreme air pollution
Outline two possible environmental impacts of HEP projects like the Bakun Dam
In order to create space for the dam, trees and other plants and habitats will be destroyed, reducing biodiversity
In addition, the machinery will have high carbon footprint, creating emissions which contribute to climate change and pollution
In LICs and NEEs, rainforests are exploited in order to generate income to aid the country’s economic development. To what extent do we have the right to tell other countries what to do with their own resources
Environmentally, yes we do need to stop them
Economically, no because it is their main source of income
Physical impacts of deforestation
Human activities in the rainforest such as farming, logging and mining involve removing the natural vegetation when vegetation. is removed there is little protection for the soil
Also there’s increased run off this carries soil into the river p this carries soil into the river polluting it an raising river levels polluting it an raising river
Top soil, the most fertile land in the rainforest, is removed. This reduces fertility for soil, making it difficult to grow crops
As a result, heavy rainfall washes the soil away and this makes the land worth us
Roots are removed and no longer binds the soil meaning the soil can now be easily eroded
The vegetation no longer acts like an umbrella protecting the soil from heavy rain and this means that soil erosion and leaching will occur
What are the economic gains from deforestation?
Deforestation for activities, like mining and farming, creates jobs- directly and indirectly (supply and support industries)
Companies will pay taxes to the government which can be used to improve public services such as education and water supply
Improved transport and infrastructure opens up new areas for development
Products such as oil palm and rubber provide raw materials for processing industries
Hydro-electric power will provide cheap and plentiful energy
Minerals such as gold are very valuable
What are the economic losses from deforestation?
Pollution of water sources and a reduced water supply
Fires used to clear forest - out of control and destroy vast areas. Also contributes to pollution
Rising temps make it difficult to farm certain products like tea
Important medicinal plants become extinct
Climate change - people have to adapt to living in a warmer world
Reduced number of tourists due to deforestation
Social impacts of deforestation in Malaysia
The quality of life for some local people improves as there are more jobs
In Malaysia, 9000 Kenyah people have been forced to leave because the dam is being built for hydro electric power for the industrial area of Malaysia
Economic impacts of deforestation in Malaysia
Malaysia has received considerable financial gain from its logging industry. One statistic states this benefit is valued at 2 billion dollars
Rising temps could adversely affect some economic activities like growing tea, fruit and flowers
How much of the labour force does the agriculture sector account for?
15%
More than 1 in 7
Describe the effects of deforestation on the environment
140,000 hectares of forest are cut down each year in Malaysia. This means that biodiversity will be less and certain species may become extinct. The orangutan is a critically endangered species in Borneo as a result of excessive deforestation
The loss of the protective cover will increase soil erosion. The soil becomes very exposed to the heavy rain which washes it away into local rivers. The nutrients in the soil are leached by heavy rain and this reduces the fertility of the soil also
Trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere so without them there is a an increased amount of this greenhouse gas, and subsequently this contributes to the warming of the planet
Local impacts of deforestation
Improved transport infrastructure opens up new areas for industrial development and tourism which supply lots of new jobs
If a lot of soil from deforested areas is washed into rivers it can kill the fish and make the water undrinkable
Regional impacts of deforestation
Companies pay taxes to the government which can be used to improve public services like education and healthcare
Logging, farming and mining create both direct and indirect jobs
Global impacts of deforestation
Fewer trees means fewer habitats and food sources for animals and birds. This reduces biodiversity as organisms either have to move or become extinct
Rising temps could adversely affect some economic activities like growing tea, fruit and flowers
Why should the TRF be valued?
Biodiversity
TRFs contain half of all plants and animals in the world. They are home to 1000s of species
Why should the TRF be valued?
Medicine
25% of all meds come from rainforest plants
More than 2000 TRF plants have anti-cancer properties
Vincristine- an anti cancer drug which comes from the periwinkle plant
Why should the TRF be valued?
Resources
Provide valuable hardwoods as well as nuts, fruits and rubber
Useful products like rubber, rope and baskets are made from rainforest plants
Why should the TRF be valued?
Water
Rainforests are important sources of clean water
20% of the world’s fresh water comes from the Amazon Basin
Why should the TRF be valued?
People
Indigenous tribes live in harmony in the rain-forests making use of the forest’s resources without causing any long term harm
Why should the TRF be valued?
Climate
Rainforests are knows as the ‘lungs of the earth’
28% of the world’s oxygen comes from the rainforests
They also prevent the world’s climate from becoming too hot and dry
Why should the TRF be valued?
Climate change
TRFs are one of the largest carbon sinks in the world
They absorb and store carbon dioxide
We need to reduce deforestation to make sure that as much of the Earth as possible is covered by trees to absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere
‘The rainforest is more valuable intact than when destroyed.’ Using a case study, use examples to support or challenge this view
Intro
- TRFs have great value to people and environments for example…
- They also offer many economic opportunities, such as palm oil production
- Introduce case study (Malaysia)
Climate regulation
- How does the rainforest regulate the climate? (CO2 and O2)
- Why is this important
- Link to question
Medicines
- 25% of all meds come from rainforest plants
- Why is this important
- How does it help locals
- Link to question-why should we keep it intact
HEP
- Why are TRFs a good place for HEP stations? (Bakun Dam)
- Benefits of HEP
- Issues with HEP
- Link to question
In conclusion
-Overall I think…because…
Define ‘sustainable use of the TRF’
Sustainable uses of rainforest are uses that allow current generations make a living from the rainforest without damaging the forest for people in the future
What is selective logging and replanting?
Selective logging is when loggers choose certain trees to cut down and usually they are high valued, such as mahogany.
They may use horse of oxen to pull the log out of the forest in Malaysia. Helicopter logging is used
Where trees are removed, the area is replanted as secondary forests. In some countries there are laws which make logging companies replant trees when they clear an area
What was the system introduced in Malaysia in 1977 known as?
The system was called selective management system
Trees are selected by professionals, felled and extracted in such a way to minimise damage to other trees
Officials monitor the logging to ensure that it is done legally and correctly
New trees are planted to ensure that the system is sustainable
What are some of the positives of selective logging and replanting?
It is much more sustainable than Claire felling because other trees and plants do survive in the logging process and overtime can allow the forest to recover
Trees are chosen if they are mature or inferior to encourage the growth of the remaining trees
If only a few trees are taken from them from the area, then the overall forest structure is kept- the canopy is still, the soil isn’t exposed. The forest will be able to regenerate and be used in the future
What are some of the negatives of selective logging and replanting?
Felling of single trees can damage others around it.
Loggers need access to the forests so they have to clear some forest to make way for trucks and some machinery.
Difficult to monitor illegal logging due to remoteness (sometimes monitored with drones or satellites)
What is conservation and education?
Conservation means that natural resources such as timber can still be used, but must be used sustainably.
Protection means that the environment should be protected and humans should not interfere, so ecosystems can find their own balance
What are some of the positives of conservation and education?
It encourages preservation of rainforests in national parks and nature reserves.
Norway has paid $1 billion into Brazil’s Amazon fund to be used for conservation.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the WWF and Birdlife International are charities which helped to promote conservation and educate people.
Rainforest alliance- ‘adopt a rainforest’ programme helps to sustainably manage patches of rainforest.
Educate local people about ways to make a living out of the rainforest without cutting it down.
Some large companies have supported projects in exchange for carrying out scientific research on raw materials. The Swiss perfume company perfume company, Givaudan, work with Conservation International to conserve rainforest in Venezuela in exchange for obtaining Tonka beans, used in the production of perfume
What is ecotourism?
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the world being of the local people, and educates. Examples of this are in Costa Rica, Brazil, Borneo
What are some of the positives of ecotourism?
Some of the profits go back into conserving the environment.
The tourism is small scale so it has less impact.
Provides an incentive for forest conservation rather than deforestation.
Provides local people with work, and often money is invested into local communities to improve the quality of their lives.
Ecotourism in Costa Rica is now the largest source of income for the country, with 21% of the country being protected from development.
What are some of the negatives of ecotourism?
Carbon emissions of people who travel long distances for that ecotourism holiday are often high and have a negative impact on the environment.
What are the international agreements about the use of tropical hardwoods?
Hardwood is a general term for word from certain species like mahogany and teak. The word tends to be fairly dense and hard- it is used to make things like furniture.
Governments agree on the use of tropical hardwoods with the aim of reducing deforestation and in particular, illegal logging
What are some of the positives of international agreements?
The International tropical Timber Agreement was set up in 2006 to encourage sustainable management of timber. It restricts the trade in hardwoods by marking timber with a registration mark if it is from sustainably managed forests.
71 countries signed up to the agreement sponsored by the United nations.
It helps to protect the biodiversity of the rainforest
What are some of the negatives of international agreements?
There is still a high demand for hardwood in high income countries. Some of these have become very rare and are very valuable. Illegal logging continues.
What is debt reduction?
Countries are relieved of some other debt in return for protecting their rainforests and this is often referred to as debt for nature swapping.
Rainforests often found in low income countries or newly emerging economies that want to exploit them. Debt reduction all conservation swaps offer an alternative to the reckless exploitation of their natural wealth.
Basically poor countries have portions of their debt paid for by rich nations or charities in exchange for promising to protect or conserve large parts of their natural environment.
For example, in 2010, the USA agreed to convert a Brazilian debt of 13.5 million pounds into a fund to protect large areas of the Amazon.
What are some of the positives of debt reduction?
This encourages poorer nations to conserve the rainforest and this helps to reduce climate change.
It recognises the global importance or rainforests in combating climate change.
Evaluate the sustainable management of the rainforest
Introduction (explain the need to conserve the rainforest)
Para 1-Debt reduction
- USA converting Brazilian debt
- Countries are relieved of debt if they take care of rainforest
- Best strategy (high value)
Para 2-Ecotourism
- Conservation and education
- Provides jobs for locals
- Costa Rica/Brazil/Borneo
- Good strategy (moderately valuable
Para 3-Selective logging and replanting
- Loggers only choose certain trees
- Cutting single trees can damage nearby trees
- Selective management system (Malaysia 1977)
- Illegal logging
- Not a very good strategy (low value)
Conclusion
