Tropical Rainforests

Question 1

what is the case study for the tropical rain forest?

Answer 1

The Amazon rain forest

Question 2

how large is the amazon rain forest?

Answer 2

5.5 million km^2

Question 3

where is the amazon rain forest located?

Answer 3

60% in Brazil
the rest in Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname

Question 4

how long has The Amazon rain forest been around?

Answer 4

at least 55 million years

Question 5

3 physical characteristics of The Amazon rain forest

Answer 5

-3000mm of rain per year
-average temp is 27oc
-nutrients are added to the soil quickly due to hot damp conditions

Question 6

plant adaptation of the amazon rain forest

Answer 6

-Lianans are vine like plants which grow up to reach more light
-emergent trees have buttress roots for support

Question 7

animal adaptations for the amazon rain forest

Answer 7

-sloths are adapted to climbing through the canopy
-dart frogs are camouflaged against the vegetation

Question 8

2 examples of the amazons importance to the wider world

Answer 8

-it regulates the atmosphere using carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen
-the plants store 2.2 billion tonnes of carbon per year

Question 9

ways to sustainably manage the amazon

Answer 9

-selective logging
-conservation swaps
-international agreements
-rules and laws
-education
-afforestation and ecotourism

Question 10

2 causes of deforestation

Answer 10

-largest cause is cattle ranching (65%) which is to feed the global beef demand
-1-2% is for mining of metals and other minerals

Question 11

2 consequences of deforestation

Answer 11

-loss of indigenous people from 6 million to less than 200,000
-more species becoming endangered