tropical rainforests Flashcards
what is the climate like in tropical rainforests
the same all year around - no definite seasons
- hot - suns intensity is more intense near the equator
- rain fall is high - 2000mm per year
what is the temperature like in tropical rainforests
between 20-28 degrees
what is plantation like in tropical rainforests
trees are evergreen
trees are tall
vegetation cover is dense - little light reaches the floor
lots of epiphytes
what is a epiphytes
plants that grow on other plants and take nutrients and moisture from the air
e.g orchids + ferns
what is the soil like in tropical rainforests
not very fertile as heavy rain washes nutrients away
what are the animals like in tropical rainforests
believed to contain more animal species than any other ecosystem
gorillas,sloths,tree frogs
what are the people like in tropical rainforests
indigenous people have adapted to life in rain forests
they make a living by hunting and fishing, growing vegetation
do rain forests have high or low biodiveristy
very high
what percent do rain forests contain of the worlds plant,animal and insect species
50%
what is the climate like
very hot and wet
what is an example of how rainforests are interdependant
warm and wet climate helps plants decomose quick -high nutrient soil - grow quick
plants pass on nutrients when eaten - dense vegitiation provides food - animal population high
what is a symbiotic relationship
where animals and plants depend on each other for survival
what is a example of a symbiotic realtionship
agouti - rat - only animal that can crack Brazil nut
sometimes bury nuts which turn them into plants
what conditions in rainforests have plants adapted to
high temperatures
high rainfall
competition for light
what are the adaptations of plants in rain forests
trees - grow tall - competition for sunlight
plants - thick waxy leaves - drip tips
climbing plants use tree trunks to reach sun
smooth bark - no need to protect from cold - helps water runoff
buttress roots - support trees tall trunks
what do thick waxy leaves and drip tips do
channel water to the tip ,encouraging runoff - weight of water doesn’t damage plant
- no standing water for fungi and bacteria to grow in
how are howler moneys adapted to rainforests
strong arms so they can move around easily
spend time high up in the canopy
how is the harpy eagle adapted to rain forests
short pointed wings so they can manoeuvre through trees
how are tree frogs adapted to rainforest
suction cups to help climb
how are flying squirrels adapted
flaps of skin that help them guide from tree to tree
how are sloths adapted
nocturnal so move in trees when its colder
how are leaf tailed geckos adapted
they are camouflaged to protect them selves from predators
how much is space does the amazon rainforest cover
8 million km
how many hectares were lost between 2001-2012
18 million
what are the reasons that the rainforest is being cut down
commercial farming
commercial logging
subsistence farming
mineral extraction
energy development
population growth
road building
what is commercial farming in terms of deforestation
forest cleared to make space for cattle or plantations
soy,rice corn and sugar cane is grown
what is the main cause of deforestation in the amazon
cattle ranching
200 million on 450000km of pasture
what is subsustence farming in terms of deforestation in the rainforest
forest cleared by small scale farmers who need land for themselves and fmailys - growing food
many indigenous people are subsistence farmers
what is mineral extraction in terms of amazon deforestation
gold,iron ore and copper mined and exported to boost development
explosives sometimes used
what is population growth in terms of amazon deforestation
population growth and migration puts pressure on the rain forest
Brazilian gov offers land to poorer people
what is energy development in terms of amazon deforestation
building hydro dams floods large areas of forest- balbina Dam
how much of the amazon rain forest is predicted to be cut down by 250 if deforestation doesn’t stop
40%
what is road building in terms of the amazon rainforest
4000km trans national highway connects Brazilian coast to peru,Colombia and Ecuador
what are the environmental impacts of deforestation
climate change
soil erosion
how does deforestation in the amazon affect climate change
trees remove co2
amazon stores 140 billion tones of carbon
deforestation releases the carbon
how does deforestation increase soil erosion and why is it bad
less trees intercept rainfall + fewer roots absorb
more water reaches soil
reduced soil fertility as nutrients are washed away
- brazil 100 tones of top soil each year
- subsistence and commercial farms have to move - more deforestation
what are economic benefits of deforestation in the amazon
2018 -brazil exported $600 million of beef
mining creates jobs for people
logging contributes a huge amount to brazils ecnomy
what are the economic disadvantages in the amazon
logging - destroys resources countries depend on
reduces attractiveness to tourists
local Brazilian rubber tappers have lost their livelihoods
what is one effort that has been made to reduced deforestation rates
1996 costra rica may unauthorised deforestation illegal and started paying farmers to conserve rainforests
what is one effort that has been made that ahs increased deforestation rates
Brazil - 2021 cut environmental budget by 24% and weakened environmental law enforcement
how are rain forests valuable
- many products, e.g rubber chocolate
- reduce green house affect
- helps regulate climate
what are the methods of sustainable management
selective logging
replanting
ecotourism
international agreements
education
conservation
what is selective logging and what are its benefits
only some trees are felled ( old ones) and most trees remain
- less damaging to the forest, overall structure of forest is kept
- the soil isn’t exposed so it can regenerate
what is re planting
new trees are placed to cut down old ones
important that the same types of trees are replanted
what is ecotourism
small number of vistators - rule simposed to reduce enviromental impacts (e.g waste and litter disposed to prevent contamination)
provides income for locals - guides
raises awareness
if people are employed in tourism they dont have to log for money
what is an example of successful ecotourism
costa rica
its the largest source of income
21% of the country has been protected
how is education sustainable management
- teaching about impacts might make people buy things from sustainable sources
- educating local people and reduce effects
- teaching about alternative ways to make money
what does international agreements do
prevent illegal logging
what is conservation
parks set up in rain forests where logging is restricted but a lack of funds can make it difficult to police restrictions
- countries have set up funds which business and govs can invest
