Case Studies

• What is the approximate area of the Amazon Rainforest?

  5.5 million square kilometres
• Why is the Amazon Rainforest referred to as the "lungs of the Earth"?

  It produces around 20% of the world's oxygen
• How many plant species are found in the Amazon Rainforest?

  Over 40,000 plant species
• What is quinine used to treat?

  Malaria
• What medicinal property does the rosy periwinkle have?

  It is instrumental in treating leukaemia
• How much carbon dioxide does the Amazon absorb annually?

  Nearly 2.2 billion tonnes
• What is the impact of deforestation on the Amazon's carbon sequestration ability?

  It disrupts the carbon sequestration process
• How does the Amazon Rainforest contribute to the water cycle?

  Through transpiration, influencing rainfall distribution
• Which communities depend on the Amazon Rainforest for survival?

  Indigenous communities like the Yanomami and Kayapo
• What percentage of modern medicines is derived from rainforest plants?

  Over 25%
• How does the Amazon regulate global weather patterns?

  By ensuring stable agricultural conditions in South America
• What is the feedback loop created by the degradation of the Amazon Rainforest?

  Increased deforestation leads to higher carbon emissions
• What are the consequences of disrupted rainfall patterns in the Amazon?

  Threatened food security and lower agricultural yields
• What is the area of the Great Barrier Reef?

  Approximately 344,400 square kilometres
• How many marine species does the Great Barrier Reef support?

  Around 9,000 marine species
• What economic benefit does the Great Barrier Reef provide annually?

  Approximately AUD 6.4 billion
• What is coral bleaching and what causes it?

  It is caused by rising sea temperatures
• How does the Great Barrier Reef contribute to the carbon cycle?

  By supporting marine organisms that sequester carbon
• How do coral reefs protect coastal communities?

  By dissipating wave energy and reducing damage
• What happens to fish populations as the Great Barrier Reef degrades?

  Fish populations decline, threatening food security
• What is the area covered by the Arctic Tundra?

  Roughly 10 million square kilometres
• What does the permafrost in the Arctic Tundra store?

  Approximately 1,500 gigatonnes of carbon
• How does thawing permafrost affect climate change?

  It releases stored carbon into the atmosphere
• What is the impact of rising temperatures on the Arctic Tundra's permafrost?

  It leads to increased permafrost thaw
• How does the Arctic Tundra influence global climate systems?

  By regulating freshwater storage and snowmelt patterns
• What are the consequences of Arctic Tundra degradation for Indigenous communities?

  Loss of traditional food sources and habitat destruction
• What are the key roles of ecosystems like the Amazon Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Arctic Tundra?

  • Provide essential goods and services for human survival
  • Regulate climate and weather patterns
  • Support biodiversity and genetic resources
  • Contribute to economic stability through tourism and resources
• What are the consequences of ecosystem degradation on human populations?

  • Increased greenhouse gas emissions
  • Threatened food security and agricultural yields
  • Loss of traditional livelihoods for Indigenous communities
  • Heightened vulnerability to extreme weather events