Water and carbon, Amazon Rainforest

Question 1

Where is the Amazon Rainforest located?

Answer 1

South America

Question 2

What is the climate like?

Answer 2

Hot, wet, with dense vegetation

Question 3

Water cycle in the Amazon

Answer 3

Lots of evaporation over the Atlantic ocean, wet air is blown towards the Amazon leading to high rainfall. High temperatures causes lots of evaporation, leading to high precipitation.
Dense canopy so a high amount of interception, leads to slower runoff into rivers, populated by species adapted to high humidity and frequent rainfall.

Question 4

Carbon cycle in the Amazon

Answer 4

lots of carbon stored in vegetation and soil, making it a carbon sink, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases productivity in the amazon, this increases the amount of photosynthesis which increases biomass, therefore increasing carbon sesquestration. however, trees have been dying younger so it may not continue to be an effective carbon sink.

Question 5

Deforestation in effects to the water cycle

Answer 5

Less interception, increased soil erosion and soil saturation, increased run off meaning incrased risk of flooding. decreased rates of evapotranspiration, less clouds, less rainfall and so increased risk of drought.