Geography - Tropical Rainforests

• Describe the climate of tropical rainforests

  • No definite seasons
  • Hot temperatures (20 - 28C)
  • High rainfall (2000mm per year)
  • Rains every day
• Describe the plants of tropical rainforests

  • Most trees are evergreen
  • Lots of epiphytes plants that grow on other plants and take their nutrients
• Describe the soil of a tropical rainforest

  • Not very fertile as heavy rain washes nutrients away
  • Lots of surface nutrients due to decay of leaves and plants
  • Decay is fast due to warm, moist conditions
• Describe the animals of a tropical rainforest

  • Contain over 50% of all species - more than any other ecosystem
  • Most animals are dependent on each other for survival
• Describe the indigenous people of rainforests

  • Make a living from hunting, fishing and growing vegetables
  • Tend to have little contact with the outside world
• Why do rainforests have high levels of biodiversity?

  • Rainforests have stable and productive environments
  • Many organisms depend on each other for survival
• Explain why rainforests are interdependent ecosystems

  • Fungi and bacteria rely on the warm and wet climate to decompose dead material
  • Soil relies on the decay of dead material for nutrients
  • Plants rely on the nutrients of soil for growth
  • Animals rely on plants and other animals for food and nutrients
• Explain how humans are interfering with ecosystems

  Humans can effect an area, which could lead to a lack of prey or predators
• What are the 4 layers of plants in an rainforest?

  • Emergent trees
  • Main canopy
  • Under canopy
  • Shrub layer
• Explain how the emergent trees layer is adapted for survival in a rainforest

  • Trees prioritise height over girth to ensure they reach sunlight as fast as possible
  • Trees only grow leaves at their crown where the most light is available
  • Trees have large, stable buttress roots to support their tall trunks
  • Climbing plants coil up tree trunks to reach sunlight
• Explain how the main canopy layer is adapted for survival in a rainforest

  • Plants have large leaves to absorb ad much sunlight as possible
  • Many trees have thin bark to improve surface run off
  • Plants have thick, waxy leaves to prevent water or bacteria damaging the plant
• Explain how the under canopy layer is adapted for survival in a rainforest

  • Plants have large leaves to absorb as much sunlight as possible
  • Plants drop their leaves throughout the year so they can continue to grow taller
• Explain how animals in the rainforest are adapted to find food and escape predators

  • Many animals have strong limbs to climb in trees
  • Some animals are camouflaged to hide from predators
  • Some birds have short, pointed wings to maneuver through dense brush
  • Many animals are nocturnal
  • Many animals have learnt to swim
  • Some animals have flaps of skin to allow them to glide through trees
• What is the evidence of large scale deforestation in the amazon?

  • On average 1.4 million hectares is lost per year
  • It is expected by 2050, 40% of the amazon will of been cut down
• What are the main reasons for deforestation in the amazon?

  • Commercial farming
  • Subsistence farming
  • Commercial farming
  • Mineral extraction
  • Energy development
  • Population growth
  • Road building
• What effects has deforestation caused on climate change?

  • Less trees are available to take in carbon dioxide
  • Deforestation accounts for 75% of Brazil's carbon dioxide emissions
• What economic impacts have been caused by deforestation?

  • Countries have gained large amounts of wealth from farming
  • Industries creates lots of jobs
  • Logging is the biggest contributor to Brazil's economy
• Why are tropical rainforests valuable to people and the environment?

  • Many products are sourced from rainforests
  • Sustainable development can offer long term economic benefits
  • Rainforests may help reduce the greenhouse effect
  • Rainforest help regulate the water cycle
• What are the 7 ways tropical rainforests can be sustainably managed?

  • Selective logging
  • Replanting
  • Ecotourism
  • Education
  • Conservation
  • Reducing debt
  • International agreements