Tropical Rainforests

Question 1

Ecological features

Answer 1

high biodiversity
hot and humid
high water availability
high light availability in canopy
low seasonality

Question 2

Importance

Answer 2

important in water/nutrient cycle
provides timber - building materials
food source
carbon sequestration
soil erosion control
medicines

Question 3

Threats

Answer 3

exploitation of species

deforestation due to: urbanisation, cattle grazing, logging, agriculture, mining

Question 3

Conservation

Answer 3

ecotourism
designations
debt for nature swaps
ITTO - international tropical timber organisation

Question 4

What are debt for nature swaps?

Answer 4

reducing a developing country’s debt in exchange for guaranteed finance for nature

Question 5

Debt for nature swap case study

Answer 5

Ecuador

refinanced $1.3 billion in exchanged for a consistent revenue stream for conservation around the Galapagos Islands

Question 6

Pros of debt for nature swaps

Answer 6

climate finance

uses local currency

more money for conservation

Question 7

Cons of debt for nature swaps

Answer 7

complex

high transaction cost

don’t fully erase debt

Question 8

Conservation Case Study: Korup National Park

Answer 8

located in Cameroon

protected in 1986

1259 km^2

over 1100 species of trees and vegetation

161 mammalian species, 430 species of birds

protects 3 rivers