Tropical Rainforests

• Describe the climate in Tropical Rainforests

  -Same all year round

  -Hot and wet

  20-28 Degrees and 2000mm Rainfall- rains everyday
• What is the soil like?

  The soil is very infertile because heavy rain washes the nutrients away (Leaching)
• What are Epiphytes?

  Epiphytes are plants that grow on other living things, like trees, and take nutrients and moisture from the air E.G Orchids/ Ferns
• Why are Tropical Rainforests stable and productive environments?

  Their climate is the same all year round - Constant
• Rainforests are interdependent ecosystems which means all parts of the rainforest are dependent on eachother and if one changes, everything else is effected
• Describe the Emergent layer

  -Trees grow up to 40m high to reach the sunlight

  -Home to many birds and even Bats
• Describe the Canopy layer

  -Trees grow up to 30m high

  -Most dense layer with the most amount of speices
• Describe the Understory Layer

  -Trees grow up to 15m high

  -Only recieve 10% of sunlight so it is dark and damp

  -Snakes and frogs thrive here
• Describe the forest floor

  -Very dark as it recieves very little sunlight

  -Covered in leaf litter

  -Home to many large predators
• -Leaves have drip tips which allows for the water to be channeld down and off the leaf quickly so the leaf doesn't get waterlogged and rot

  -Their waxy surface helps to repel rainwater
• Trees have large Buttress roots which supports the weight of the tree and also helps to transport water
• The branches and trunks of the trees are smooth so water can easily run off them
• Climbing plants like Lianas climb and wrap around tree trunks to help reach sunlight
• Leaves have a large surface area to maximise photosynthesis and they have flexible bases which allows them to turn and face the sun
• Give 6 Causes of Deforestation

  1. Commercial Logging
  2. Commercial Farming
  3. Subsistence Farming
  4. Mining
  5. Energy Development
  6. Road Building
• What is the biggest cause of Deforestation in the Amazon?

  Cattle farming (Commercial Farming)
• What are 3 Economic impacts of Deforestation in the Amazon?

  1. Farming has brought a lot of wealth to Brazil-$600million made in Beef exports
  2. Many jobs in logging and mining created
  3. Local rubber tappers have lost their livelihoods
• Give 1 global impact of Deforestation

  -Loss of Biodiversity as some spieces become endangerd and even extinct- There can also be a loss of potential cures and medicine
• As trees are being deforested, there are less canopy trees to intercept rainfall which means more water in the soils which reduces soil fertilty as the water washes the nutrients away (Soil Erosion)
• River pollution is another impact of deforestation as the mercury used in mining pollutes the rivers
• Describe how the global rates of Deforestation are changing

  Deforestation rates are increasing expecially in the Amazon.

  However, The president of Brazil has pledged to work towards net-zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030
• Why are Tropical Rainforests so valuable to people and the Environment?

  -Rainforests offer many goods such as rubber, wood, coffee, chocolate of medicine.

  -Rainforests offer many services such as Water and nutrient recycling and air purification to help fight against climate change
• What is the main benefit to Selective Logging

  -Only some trees are cut down so the forest structure is less damaged

  -The canopy is still there and so the soil isnt exposed which means the soil remains fertile and is able to support plant growth

  -The forest is able to regenerate
• What are the 7 Sustainable Management Strategies for Tropical Rainforests

  1. Education
  2. Conservation
  3. Reducing Debt
  4. International Hardwood Agreements
  5. Ecotourism
  6. Replanting
  7. Selective Logging
• Task: Explain each strategy and how it helps