Tropical Rainforests: Interelationships Between Cycles Natural/Deforested Rainforests

Question 1

natural rainforest water cycle facts once precipitation has fallen…

Answer 1

75% intercepted by trees
through stem flow 35% reaches the ground and infiltrates the soil
35% used by plants
then through transpiration it returns to the atmosphere

25% evaporates immediately in a tropical rainforest and returns to the atmosphere

Question 2

deforested rainforest water cycle facts once precipitation has fallen…

Answer 2

most reaches the ground immediately little interception
high surface runoff increasing flood risk
less evapotranspiration so atmosphere is less humid and rainfall decreases

Question 3

a natural rainforest and the carbon cycle…

Answer 3

trees are suited to humid and warm conditions which promotes photosynthesis
they absorb large amount of carbon from the atmosphere acting as an important carbon sink
decomposition and respiration releases co2 back to the atmosphere

Question 4

a deforested rainforest and the carbon cycle…

Answer 4

lack of trees means less photosynthesis
slash and burn releases co2 so forests are a carbon source instead of sink
lack of life until new plants grow
low rates of decomposition occurs in this environment