Tropical rainforests Flashcards
What is 1 reason why tropical rainforests are distributed along the equator?
They are in areas with low air pressure,
which are associated with high rainfall.
What is leaching?
When heavy rainfall quickly dissolves or carries away nutrients.
What is latosol?
An infertile, red and iron-rich soil left behind after leaching.
What are the function of buttresses?
The massive roots support the base of tall trees and helps transport water. The large surface area also helps the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
What are epiphytes?
They live on branches in the canopy to seek sunlight.
They also obtain nutrients from water and air rather than soil.
What are 2 reasons rainforests should be managed sustainably?
To ensure rainforests last as a resource for future generations.
To allow valuable resources to be used without causing long-term damage to the environment.
What are 4 types of ways to sustainably manage a tropical rainforest?
Selective logging
Conservation education
Ecotourism
International agreements
How does eco-tourism help manage tropical rainforests sustainably (what does it protect)?
Fewer trees are cut down for lodges.
This helps protect natural habitats and endangered species.
What are the steps of selective logging?
- Trees are marked for felling.
- The trees are felled selectively and surveyed.
- Replacement trees are planted
What are two examples of conservation?
National parks.
Nature reserves.
What are 2 economic advantages of deforestation?
Development of the land for mining, farming and energy leads to employment.
Companies pay taxes that improve public services such as education and water supply.
What are the 4 factors of deforestation?
Logging.
Mineral extraction.
Commercial farming.
Roads.
How are deep gullies formed and eroded by deforestation?
Deforestation causes _______________ that makes water ____________________ of ___________ forming a gully,
removing ____________________ that is washed away into __________.
The _______________ surface exposed to ______________ leads to gully erosion.
soil erosion
cut into the surface
sloped land
entire layers of soil
rivers
unprotected
heavy rain
What are 4 impacts of deforestation?
Loss of biodiversity.
Climate change.
Soil erosion and infertility.
Decline of indigenous tribes.
How does deforestation contribute to local climate change?
Deforestation disrupts the _____________ because of the __________ of trees.
______________________ is reduced meaning there is _________________ in the atmosphere.
So the local climate becomes _______.
water cycle
felling
evapotranspiration
less moisture
drier
