Tropical Rainforests Flashcards
What does Diurnal mean
daily
What are the 4 layers of the tropical rainforest
Emergent layer
Canopy
Under canopy
Forest floor
What adaptations have plants developed in tropical rainforests to collect the most nutrients
Shallow roots
Where do plants collect most of their nutrients from in tropical rainforests
Small shallow layer on the forest floor called the Humus Layer
As a result of deforestation in TRF, what happens to the Humus Layer
It gets leached leaving behind an infertile, iron rich soil known as Latosol
What is biomass
The mass of living material in plants and animals
What is litter
Dead wood, leaves and animal remains
How much of the litter is comprised of dead wood
80%`
What happens as a result of warm humid temperatures
Decomposition speeds up
Why were beavers hunted to extinction in the UK
Their custodian
How long have beaver been extinct in the UK
500 yrs
What are the benefits of reintroducing beavers into the UK
Great for biodiversity Can save the water vole 37% more fish in areas of beaver dams Can divert or slow flood water Stores carbon
How much of the world’s Carbon is stored in wetlands
20%
What are possible negatives of reintroducing beavers
Can cause flooding if dams are built downstream
Can divert paths
Makes it dangerous to travel
Makes it difficult for fish like salmon to spawn
What are adaptations
Actions taken to adjust for natural events such as climate change to reduce potential damage and limit the impacts
What is one way the Sloth has adapted
Long claws to grip onto branches
What are the ways Devil’s Ivy has adapted in TRF
Epiphytes- climbs up trunks of other trees by attaching itself to them with aerial roots in order to reach the canopy
Leaf angling- leaves arranged at different angle to avoid shading in order to get the most sunlight
Leaf size- leaves become larger as they rise up the forest
Waxy drip tip leaves- enables excess rain water to run off preventing algae growth which reduces sunlight
What adaptations do Buttress Roots give
Stabilises trees over 30m tall in shallow soil
What adaptations do Stilt Roots give
Provide support for tall trees
What adaptations do Red Leaves give
Protects young saplings from sunlight while their internal organs for photosynthesis are still developing
What adaptations do Lianas give
Roots in the ground and use other trees to climb up into the canopy.
Most start life in the canopy and send roots to the ground
What adaptations does Thin Bark give
Thin and smooth which makes it harder for other plants to grow on tree surfaces
What is biodiversity
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem
How many species on average go extinct per day
137
If 1 mahogany tree gets cut down how many more fall
28 more
How much has the rainforest coverage gone down by since 1970
18%
How much has the indigenous people in the rainforest gone down by
10M to 200K
Where is Malaysia
South East Asia
What is Malaysia made up of
Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia
How much area needs to be flooded to create 1 hydro-electric dam
700km²
What is Mineral Extraction
Forests are also cleared to make way for huge mines. The Amazon Rainforest is the location of mines for Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Tin, Bauxite, Beryllium, Copper, Lead, Tungsten, Zinc and Gold
What is Logging
Commercial Logging companies cutting down trees for timber destroying a large numbers of valued trees
What is Subsistence Farming
Forest fires from slashing and burning trees, small pockets of land used for farming and to store items
What is Commercial Farming
Farming on a large scale to make a profit
How do indigenous people live in TRF
Harvesting fruits and nuts
Cutting wood for fuel
Use timber for shelter
Use plants to cure illnesses
What is deforestation
The action of clearing a wide area of trees
What is Selective Logging
Where only the desirable trees are felled - less harmful but still damages biodiversity
What is Soil Erosion
The removal of soil by water or wind
Organic matter and minerals that make it fertile are often carried away with the soil
How much of land is TRF
3%
How much sunlight gets down to the forest floor
2%
How do vines grow
Rapid vertical growth
How do climbers grow
Curved stems and coils to latch onto trees
How much does a macaranga tree grow in a year
8m
How long does it take for trees to fill in gaps in the rainforest
4 yrs
How long do hardwood trees live
200 yrs
Where do most animals live
Canopy (Dharavi of the forest)
Why are fig trees important
Bore fruit all year round
How much rain falls in a rainforest per year
Do 5 pushups
What happens to excess water in TRF
It returns to the air as vapour
Why are fungi important
They’re decomposers, cause plant + animal diseases, & they’re used commercially
What percent of insects live in TRF
80%
Which of the worlds rainforest is the least explored
Congo Rainforest
What is interception
Water being prevented from reaching the surface by trees or grass
What is transpiration
Evaporation of water from plant leaves
What is an Agrarian District
Farming village
What are short term benefits of economic development in TRF
Jobs
Companies pay tax which are used on public services
Allows for construction
Products are available to be farmed for industry
Minerals are very valuable
What are long term losses of economic development in TRF
Pollution and a dry climate lead to water shortages
Medicinal plants could go extinct
Damages tourist numbers by destroying rainforests
Climate change
Fires causes harmful pollution
How does mining cause water pollution
Exposes heavy metals and sulphur compounds that were previously locked away in Earth such as mercury which is poisonous to fish
What does the Penan tribe use for medicine
Traditional medicines administered by healers
Why would there be conflict between loggers and indigenous people
Loggers have legal right but locals have lived there for generations
What do local people fear will happen if they have to adapt to life in urban areas
They don’t have good immune systems so their culture will die out
What does sustainable mean
The ability to meet the needs of today’s society without compromising future generations to meet their own needs
How is sustainable farming and replanting sustainable for the rainforest and what are the limitations
Gives space for younger trees to grow
Keeps the forest at the same level
Older trees collect more carbon so if they are cut down, they release carbon
How is sustainable conservation and education sustainable for the rainforest and what are the limitations
Trees cant be cut down and land cannot be developed on. gives kids knowledge on how to set up their own conservation
Illegal loggers can still cut down trees
How is international agreements sustainable for the rainforest and what are the limitations
ITTA- diversity of international trade
CITES- to sustainably manage rainforests
Protects 3000 species
None of their species have been endangered
Lack of enforcement and implementation
Nothing to protect animals not under its protection
How is debt relief sustainable for the rainforest and what are the limitations
Countries aren’t forced to destroy their natural resources to pay off debts.
Biodiversity remains unthreatened
Donor country maintains good relations with recipient for the future
Governments cant ensure that 0 deforestation will occur
May be some resentment from donor country
Nothing stops country from destroying the forest once the debt has been wiped
How is ecotourism sustainable for the rainforest and what are the limitations
Enables undisturbed natural environments such as the Amazon Rainforest to create a source of income
Still have to travel to get there
3.69 tonnes of CO2 per plane trip
Not economically safe
