Paper 1: Living world

• What are the steps involved in convectional rainfall?


  1. The sun's energy reaches the earth.
  2. The earth's surface is heated by the sun's energy, heating the surrounding air.
  3. Air expands and rises.
  4. As the air rises, it cools.
  5. Air reaches dew point temperature and condensation occurs.
  6. Cumulonimbus clouds are often formed.
  7. When water droplets become large and heavy enough, they fall to the ground as rain.
• Where are tropical rainforests (TRFs) located?

  Around the equator and between both tropics
• What is the largest concentration of TRF mentioned?


  In South America
• What are the characteristics of tropical rainforests (TRFs)?

  • High biodiversity
  • Dense vegetation
  • Warm temperatures year-round
  • High rainfall
• How does latitude influence the distribution of tropical rainforest ecosystems (TRFS)?

  • Latitude affects temperature and climate.
  • The equator is warmest due to minimal land area to heat.
  • Temperature decreases as you move away from the equator as it has greater area to heat
• What are the pressure belts and their roles in weather hazards?

  • High Pressure (HP) and Low Pressure (LP) systems
  • Polar Cell, Ferrell Cell, Hadley Cell
  • Influence weather patterns and distribution of tropical rainforests (TRFs)
• How does the equator affect weather patterns in TRFs?

  At the equator, warm air rises rapidly, causing convectional thunderstorms and low pressure
• What is the structure of a tropical rainforest (TRF)?

  • Emergent layer: Tall trees over 30 meters
  • Canopy: Dense tree cover protecting the ground
  • Understorey: Woody plants and shrubs in humid conditions
  • Ground layer: Decomposed material with scattered plants and fungi
• How are the elements of a TRF interdependent?

  • Climate affects plant growth
  • Water availability supports animal life
  • Soil quality influences crop production
  • Plants provide food and habitat for animals
• What adaptations do emergent trees have in the rainforest?

  Emergent trees have buttress roots for stability and to reach sunlight
• Why do plants in the rainforest have large surface areas?

  To catch sunlight for photosynthesis
• Where is the Amazon Rainforest located?

  In South America, across 9 countries
• How much forest is lost each year worldwide?

  About 10 million hectares
• What is the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon?

  Cattle ranching accounts for 80% of deforestation
• What is subsistence farming?

  Farming to feed oneself and family, often using slash and burn techniques
• What is commercial farming's impact on deforestation?

  Commercial farming accounts for 43% of rainforest losses
• What is the role of mineral extraction in deforestation?

  Forests are cleared to make way for mines extracting various minerals
• How does hydroelectric power development contribute to deforestation?

  Dams flood large areas of land previously covered by forest
• What is the impact of population growth on deforestation in the Amazon?

  Population growth leads to increased settlements and deforestation
• What was the GNI per capita in Brazil in 1960?

  $500
• What was the GNI per capita in Brazil in 2020?

  $7,500
• What are the local and global impacts of deforestation?

  Local impacts:

  • Decline of indigenous tribes
  • Soil erosion
  • River pollution
  • Local climate change

  
  

  Global impacts:

  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Contribution to global warming
• What is the average temperature range in the TRF?

  1°C
• What is the role of buttress roots in emergent trees?

  Buttress roots provide stability for tall trees in shallow soil
• What are the consequences of soil erosion caused by deforestation?

  Soil erosion leads to loss of nutrients and reduced crop yields
• In which continent is the Amazon Rainforest located?

  South America
• How many countries does the Amazon Rainforest stretch across?

  9 countries
• How many people are estimated to live in the Amazon Rainforest?

  More than 30 million
• What is the annual rate of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest?

  About 10 million hectares per year
• What percentage of the Amazon Rainforest has been destroyed since the 1970s?

  18%
• What percentage of deforestation in the Amazon is due to commercial farming?

  43%
• How many dams are planned for the Amazon Rainforest?

  150
• What is the main cause of soil erosion in the Amazon Rainforest?

  Heavy convectional rainfall causing run-off
• What is the main global impact of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest?

  Global warming
• What are the key elements of the tropical rainforest ecosystem and how are they interdependent?

  • Climate: Tropical rainforests depend on a hot, humid climate with high rainfall to support the diverse ecosystem.
  • Water: The high rainfall and water cycle within the rainforest is essential for plant and animal life.
  • Soil: The shallow, nutrient-poor soil in rainforests is dependent on the rapid recycling of nutrients from decomposing plant and animal matter.
  • Plants: The diverse plant life, from the emergent layer to the ground layer, is adapted to the rainforest conditions and provides food and habitat for animals.
  • Animals: The wide variety of animal life, from insects to large mammals, plays a crucial role in pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling within the rainforest ecosystem.
  • People: Indigenous communities have lived sustainably within the rainforest for centuries, relying on its resources, but deforestation threatens their way of life.
• What are the key structural layers of a tropical rainforest and the adaptations of plants in each layer?

  • Emergent layer: Tall trees (up to 60m) with buttress roots to support their height and reach sunlight.
  • Canopy layer: Continuous, dense tree cover that blocks sunlight and protects the ground from heavy rainfall.
  • Understory layer: Woody plants and shrubs adapted to the humid, calm conditions with limited sunlight.
  • Ground layer: Decomposed plant and animal matter, with scattered plants and fungi adapted to the hot, humid conditions.
• How do the pressure belts and convectional rainfall patterns contribute to the climate and weather of tropical rainforests?

  • At the equator, the Hadley cell creates a low-pressure zone with rising warm air, leading to regular convectional thunderstorms and high rainfall.
  • The Ferrell cell and Polar cell create high-pressure zones on either side of the equator, which influence the distribution and characteristics of tropical rainforests.
  • The combination of low pressure, high temperatures, and abundant moisture from the convectional rainfall patterns sustains the lush, diverse tropical rainforest ecosystem.
• How has the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest impacted Brazil's economic development?

  Provided Brazil with valuable resources like wood and minerals

  This boosted the country's economic development

  This allowed for increased spending infrastructure

  This includes education and healthcare

  Leading to a higher quality of life and HDI.
• How does the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest contribute to a "ticking time bomb" of environmental issues?

  Leads to global issues like loss of biodiversity, global warming, and conflicts

  Local issues like soil erosion, river pollution, and decline of indigenous tribes
• How does deforestation of the Amazon contribute to climate change?

  Through the burning of tropical rainforest (TRF) and loss of the TRF carbon sink