water and carbon cycle case studies Flashcards
how the water cycle impacts the amazon rainforest
- causes the wet climate; evaporation occurs over the Atlantic ocean and the wet air is blown towards the amazon
- warm temperatures mean increased evaporation meaning increased precipitation
- dense canopy means interception is high so surface run and river capacity off is lower than expected
- causes species inhabiting the area to be adapted to high humidity and frequent rainfall
how the carbon cycle impacts the amazon rainforest
- amazon is a carbon sink as it stores lots of carbon in vegetation and soil
- increasing CO2 in atmosphere is increasing the amount of biomass in the amazon; trees may be growing quickly and dying younger so the amazon might not continue to be an effective store
- amount if CO2 sequestered has increased making the amazon a more important store
how is human activity in the amazon affecting the water cycle
deforestation:
- lack of canopy decreases interception and increases surface run-off. this can increase flooding
- reduces the rate of evapotranspiration so there is less water vapour which means less clouds and precipitation
climate change:
- temperature increase leads to rainfall decrease
- organisms adapted to moist climate die in the heat due to long periods of drought
how is human activity in the amazon affecting the carbon cycle
deforestation:
-soil is no longer held together due to the removal of roots allowing rain to wash away the nutrient layer transferring carbon to the hydrosphere
- less vegetation means less leaf litter and humus so the soil is unable to support new growth limiting the carbon absorption
- fewer trees means a decreased carbon sink so more CO2 is left in the atmosphere enhancing the greenhouse effect
4 ways to limit human impacts in the amazon
selective logging:
-less damaging as there are still enough trees for the forest to regenerate
replanting:
- same species of trees cut down are planted to retain the variety
- e.g. 2016-2019 project in Peru replanted 115 acres
environmental law:
e.g. Brazilian forest code states landowners must keep 50-80% of their land as forest
protection:
- national parks and nature reserves monitor activities
- e.g. 2003 Central Amazon Conservation Complex in Brazil protects biodiversity across 49,000km^2 and allows locals to use forest sustainably
where is the river Tees drainage basin located
- North East England
- runs south through cross fell and Barnard Castle
- runs in a more westerly direction through Middlesbrough, its largest settlement
- The mouth exits the north sea
characteristics of the river Tees upper course
- hard impermeable rocks
- vertical erosion forms v shaped valleys
- interlocking spurs near Cauldron Snout
- High Force waterfall (largest in UK):
- created by area of hard whinstone layered above sandstone and shale
-cow green reservoir is located here
characteristics of the river Tees middle course
- lateral erosion creates meanders near Barnard Castle
- ox bow lakes form from meanders
- natural levees fare evidence of past flooding
- increase in the amount of permeable sedimentary rock- sandstone, mudstone, limestone
characteristics of the river Tees lower course
- large estuary with mudflats and sandbanks that supports wildlife
- seal sands are protected areas
- larger meanders near Yarn
- levees formed by floods
human activity in the river tees basin
- Transport and settlement - the Tees has been an important route way for centuries, and towns such as Yarm owe their existence to trading on the river.
- Water supply - Cow Green reservoir supplies the city of Middlesbrough.
- Farming - Sheep farming in the upper course.
- Tourism - The Pennine Way, High Force waterfall etc.
- Industry - the wide, flat valley floor and tidal estuary have been extensively developed for heavy industries, including steel (recently terminated), oil, gas and petro-chemical industries.
flood management at river tees basin
- Cow green reservoir – provides water for growing industries and protection downstream because the authorities can control the amount of water passing down the river at one point
- Yarm Defenses – £2 million has been spent building defense walls
- flood gates built as the town is located in the middle of a meander where the land is flat
- Tees Barrage aimed to increase water quality over a 22km stretch which was completed in 1995 and cost £54 million
flood events in the river tees basin
- The night of 16/17th November 1771 River Teasdale one of the worst floods recorded
- Storm Ciara in February 2020, areas of low-lying land were hit (Yarm)
December 2013 storm surge came through mouth, overpowered the Teasdale defenses
- Port Clarence was damaged during this
- High rainfall and snow melting form top increasing risk of flooding
what increases flood risk at the river tees
- the river has also been dredged for ships to travel and this further increases chances of flooding
- 9,600 infrastructures at risk of being flooded, expected to increase 11,213
- prone to tidal flooding around the mouth,
- High rainfall and snow melting form top increasing risk of flooding
