Tropical Rainforests Flashcards
characteristics of TRF’s
low latitudes- normally at equator due to high sun insolation, provides high temps for rapid plant growth
high biodiversity
wet, humid climate
3 examples of TRF’s
Amazon, Indonesian, Congo
what is climate like
humid, high rainfall- provides ideal conditions for plant growth
annual average temp of 27 degrees
what is water supply like
high rainfall
average 2000mm a year
distinct wet season- months of heavy rainfall
what is biodiversity like
high biodiversity- ideal conditions for plant growth
many available habitats for animals E.g tree trunks for snakes
what are latosols
tropical red soil
are latosols fertile and why
no they are infertile
heavy rainfall leads to leaching- nutrients are washed away from the soil- making it infertile.
negative impacts of heavy rainfall
leaching- washes away nutrients, making soil infertile- less harvest and income for farmers
floods- soil becomes saturated so no more rainfall can infiltrate- leads to surface runoff and floods
what makes the soil red
iron, iron is insoluble so it is not leached away by heavy rainfall
how have epiphytes adapted
they grow on trees which grow towards the sunlight- maximises photosynthesis
they have aerial roots- absorb minerals and water from the atmosphere
how have leaves adapted
they have waxy cuticles and drip tips- removes excess water which prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi on the leaf
how have trees and plants adapted
grow towards the sunlight- maximises photosynthesis
buttress roots- hold tree in place, provides a stable base
why do many animals eat plants instead of other animals
there is high competition for food, so animals eat plants instead
how much sunlight is absorbed by the canopy
90%
3 reasons why biodiversity is high
humid + wet climate- conditions for rapid plant growth
rapid nutrient cycling- provides food for organisms
primary rainforest- untouched by humans
what is nutrient cycling
a system where energy and matter are transferred between living organisms and non-living parts of the environment.
social value of TRF’s
-home to indigenous tribes
-provides food for locals
-provides medicine for locals- ensures good health
-local/ small-scale farmers get an income
economic value of TRF’s
-provides industrial products which can be sold globally and locally E.g wood, dyes
-TRF ingredients used to make medicine (25% of western pharmaceuticals use TRF ingredients) can be sold globally and locally
environmental value of TRF’s
-act as a carbon sink- absorb CO2 which reduces the enhanced greenhouse effect, reduces global warming
-home to many animals, high biodiversity
define primary forest
forest in its natural state, untouched by humans
define deforestation
the clearing of trees to transform a rainforest into cleared land
define clear felling
removing every tree from an area
define selective logging
removing a certain species from an area and leaving the rest intact
define slash and burn
cutting and burning trees in an area and then planting new seeds
6 causes of deforestation
commercial farming
HEP
urban expansion
road construction
mining
logging
effect of commercial farming
cattle farming- trees are cleared to make space for cattle and commercial products
trees are cleared to make space for palm oil plantations
high global demand for palm oil, soybeans, beef
effect of logging
trees cut down for industrial uses- building
E.g mahogany used for furniture
effect of urban expansion
as population increases, there is a higher demand for homes.
trees are cut down to make space for new homes and cities
effect of hydroelectric power
used to power homes
trees cut down to create space for dams
dams force indigenous tribes out
dams cause flooding- loss of wildlife habitats
effect of mining
trees cut down to clear an area for mining
mercury pollutes rivers- poisons fish (less food for locals), causes miscarriages and kidney failure
effect of road construction
trees cut down to make new roads and create access to mining areas
E.g Trans-Amazonian highway, stretches 4000km across the Amazon
social impacts of deforestation
-forces indigenous tribes out
-cutting trees for mining- use of mercury- mercury pollutes rivers:
- poisons fish- less food supply for locals, less income to farmers
-health issues E.g kidney failure
economic impacts of deforestation
lack of vegetation reduces evapotranspiration- drier climate, reduces plant growth- farmers get less harvest and less income
less taxes to government- less economic development
lack of vegetation- soil exposed to heavy rainfall- more leaching- infertile soil- less income to farmers
environmental impacts of deforestation
less trees to absorb CO2- increased carbon emissions- enhanced greenhouse effect- global warming
lack of vegetation- soil exposed to heavy rainfall- more leaching- infertile soil
define evapotranspiration
water evaporation into the atmosphere from the soil surface
global management strategies
hardwood agreements:
- stop cutting and selling hardwood trees- could lead to illegal logging :(
debt reduction:
-HIC’s pay off LIC debts so they can use more money to protect rainforests, buy satellites and drones to monitor illegal logging
national management strategies
education:
- teach ecology and climate change in schools
nature reserve parks:
-create protected reserve parks- less money spent on improving quality of living (E.g infrastructure) so economic development slows :(
local management strategies
eco-tourism:
-small-scale tourism, teach tourists about conservation- expensive :(
monitoring illegal logging:
- drones and satellites- hard as there is a large area to cover :(
replanting trees
agroforestry:
- planting crops and trees together- some trees have to be cut down so sunlight can reach crops :(
nutrient cycling
biomass -> litter -> soil
describe the distribution of TRF’s
along the equator, central of South America, West Africa, Southeast Asia
what is biomass
plants, animals
what is litter
dead material, faeces
nutrient cycling
biomass -> litter
the plants and animals die, leaves fall (becomes litter)
rainfall brings nutrients to the litter :)
runoff takes nutrients away from the litter :(
nutrient cycling
litter -> soil
litter is broken down by decomposers (bacteria and fungi), becomes soil
weathering of bedrock brings nutrients to soil :)
leaching takes nutrients away from soil :(
nutrient cycling
soil -> biomass
most rapid transfer as plants and animals take up nutrients quickly
biomass is the largest store as there are the most nutrients
