Tropical rainforests

Question 1

Describe the tropical rainforest climate.

Answer 1

Very wet – over 2,000mm of rainfall per year. Very warm – average daily temp. of 28˚C. Very humid. Fairly consistent climate; Dec-May are wettest.

Question 2

Describe tropical rainforest soils.

Answer 2

Fertility is low due to leaching by heavy rainfall. Thin layer of fertile soil on surface where leaves decompose. Red and full of iron; latosol.

Question 3

Describe how tropical rainforest vegetation is structured.

Answer 3

Forest floor, shrub layer, under canopy, main canopy, emergents. Dark on forest floor. Maximum light and tallest trees in emergent layer.

Question 4

How are tropical rainforests interdependent?

Answer 4

Warm & wet conditions = rapid decomposition by fungi & bacteria on forest floor = fertile soil surface = quick and easy plant growth.

Question 5

How are tropical rainforests interdependent?

Answer 5

Trees intercept rainfall = transpiration = moisture released back into atmosphere = further moisture provided for rainfall. Deforestation can change climate & increase risk of drought.

Question 6

How have plants adapted to tropical rainforest conditions?

Answer 6

Tall trees have wide buttress roots for stability and to support trunk. Drip tips on leaves channel water off quickly. Prevent weight of water damaging leaf. Prevent fungal growth.

Question 7

How have animals adapted to tropical rainforest conditions?

Answer 7

Howler Monkeys have strong limbs – climb easily. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs have suction cups – climb easily. Harpy Eagles have short, pointy wings to manoeuvre between dense tangle of tree branches.

Question 8

How have anteaters adapted to tropical rainforest conditions?

Answer 8

Live on forest floor which is dark. Have sharp sense of smell and hearing so they can detect predators without seeing them.

Question 9

What % of the world’s plant, animal & insect species are found in tropical rainforests?

Answer 9

50%.

Question 10

What % of Malaysia’s mammal species are endangered?

Answer 10

14%.

Question 11

What % of its rainforest cover did Pahang, Malaysia lose between 2000 and 2017?

Answer 11

30%.

Question 12

What is logging?

Answer 12

The removal of trees for their timber.

Question 13

What is selective logging?

Answer 13

Only removing trees that are of a certain height or age, or that are inferior to others.

Question 14

How has logging caused deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 14

Global demand for tropical wood. Potential for export income. Malaysia became world’s largest exporter of tropical wood in 1980s.

Question 15

How has mineral extraction caused deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 15

Removing trees to build roads to transport mined products out of tropical rainforest. Tin mining was common in Peninsular Malaysia.

Question 16

How has population pressure caused deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 16

Rapid population growth in cities led to a need for people to move to the countryside. Transmigration policy used. 1956-1980s – 15,000 hectares of land felled for settlers.

Question 17

How has commercial farming caused deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 17

Global demand for palm oil. Potential for export income. Farmers not meeting sustainability standards. 2019 – Malaysia was world’s second-largest exporter of palm oil.

Question 18

How has subsistence farming caused deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 18

Slash and burn traditionally used to clear small pockets of forest. Fires burned out of control.

Question 19

How has energy development caused deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 19

Hundreds of km2 of rainforest flooded to make way for dams e.g. Bakun Dam on Balui River in Sarawak.

Question 20

Define ‘slash and burn’.

Answer 20

Cutting down then burning existing vegetation to clear land for farming.

Question 21

Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia: Soil erosion

Answer 21

Deforestation = reduced soil stability = increased surface runoff. Loose soils washed away by heavy rainfall.

Question 22

Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia: Loss of biodiversity

Answer 22

As a result of habitat destruction. Malaysia has 15,500 plant species & 746 bird species.

Question 23

Malaysia: Climate change

Answer 23

Deforestation = lack of transpiration = less moisture returned to atmosphere and less heat used up by process of transpiration = drier climate.

Question 24

What % of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by deforestation?

Answer 24

15%.

Question 25

Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia: Economic development

Answer 25

Positive: Short-term economic gains through job creation and export income = investment in public services.

Question 26

Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia: Economic development

Answer 26

Negative: Destroying vast areas of rainforest = pollution and extinction of plants with medicinal properties.

Question 27

Why do tropical rainforests need to be protected?

Answer 27

To preserve biodiversity. Valuable products e.g. coffee, chocolate, medicines. Sustainable ecotourism = economic benefits. Important carbon sinks.

Question 28

How can we manage rainforests through selective logging?

Answer 28

Only removing older, inferior trees so overall rainforest structure will remain = rainforest can regenerate.

Question 29

How can we manage rainforests through replanting?

Answer 29

Replace trees to ensure enough for future. Replant same trees to maintain biodiversity. Laws mandate replanting in some countries.

Question 30

Define ‘ecotourism’.

Answer 30

Tourism that minimises damage to environment & benefits locals.

Question 31

How can we manage rainforests through ecotourism?

Answer 31

Sustainable income for locals = don’t to cut trees down for a living & see importance of protecting it. Successful in Costa Rica. 21% of land protected from development.

Question 32

How can we manage rainforests through conservation?

Answer 32

Set up national parks & nature reserves in rainforests to restrict harmful activities. Difficult to enforce. Governments give money to countries to protect rainforests e.g. Norway gave $1 billion to Brazil.

Question 33

What are hardwoods?

Answer 33

Dense, hard woods e.g. mahogany and teak. Good for making furniture.

Question 34

How can we manage rainforests through international hardwood agreements?

Answer 34

Agree to reduce illegal logging of hardwoods. Promote use of hardwood from sustainably managed rainforests e.g. Forest Stewardship Council label lets consumers make sustainable decisions.

Question 35

Define ‘debt’.

Answer 35

A sum of money owed to a person, organisation or government.

Question 36

How can we manage rainforests through debt reduction?

Answer 36

Cancel debt so countries don’t feel they have to cut down trees to make money required to pay debt. No guarantee money saved will be spent on conservation. Conservation swap is better.

Question 37

What is a conservation swap?

Answer 37

When a country’s debt is cancelled in exchange for a guarantee that the money will be spent on rainforest conservation.

Question 38

Give an example of a conservation swap.

Answer 38

2010 – USA & Brazil agreed to convert $21 million of Brazilian debt into rainforest protection fund.

Question 39

How can we manage rainforests through education?

Answer 39

Educate people about buying products from sustainably managed areas. Educate locals about impacts of deforestation. May not know & simply be trying to overcome poverty.

Question 40

Define ‘interest’.

Answer 40

Additional money paid back after borrowing money. Makes debts bigger.