the amazon rainforest

• What is the area size of the Amazon rainforest?

  5.5 million km²
• What is the biggest driver of deforestation in the Amazon?

  Large-scale infrastructure development
• How does infrastructure development drive change in the Amazon?

  It opens untouched areas to exploitation
• What is Brazil's rank in terms of greenhouse gas emissions?

  4th largest polluter
• What are the risks associated with climate change in the Amazon?

  Drought and forest fires
• How does deforestation affect the Amazon's ability to recover carbon?

  It weakens forests' ability to recover
• What are the changes to the Amazon's climate due to deforestation?

  Increased temperatures and decreased rainfall
• What happens to soil in the Amazon due to deforestation?

  Increased soil erosion and decreased fertility
• How does deforestation affect runoff in the Amazon?

  It increases flood risk as rainfall increases
• What is the impact of deforestation on Amazon's vegetation?

  Loss of biodiversity and decreased carbon sequestration
• How does deforestation affect Amazon's rivers?

  Alters water cycles and decreases water quality
• What is ARPA in relation to the Amazon rainforest?

  Largest protection scheme in the world
• What percentage of the Amazon does ARPA protect?

  15%
• What is the purpose of reducing palm oil use?

  To help decrease land use for palm oil
• What is a mitigation strategy in the Amazon related to national parks?

  Creation of national parks
• What is the goal of reforestation schemes in the Amazon?

  To regrow 73 million trees
• What is the prosecution rate for illegal loggers in the Amazon?

  38%
• What is the UK’s interest in Brazil's loans related to the Amazon?

  Money saved is spent on protecting the Amazon
• What are the main inputs into the Amazon rainforest?

  Solar energy, precipitation, nutrients, seeds
• What does the Amazon store in terms of biomass?

  Litter layer and soil
• What are the main flows in the Amazon rainforest?

  Nutrient uptake, decomposition, photosynthesis
• What are the outputs in the Amazon rainforest?

  Water loss, nutrient loss, biomass loss
• How much carbon does the Amazon store?

  80-120 billion tonnes
• Why is the Amazon considered an important carbon sink?

  It regulates carbon cycle and slows climate change
• What are the impacts of deforestation on the Amazon's water cycle?

  Decreased evapotranspiration and precipitation
• How does deforestation affect soil erosion in the Amazon?

  Soil becomes dry due to sun exposure
• What are the main characteristics of a rainforest carbon cycle?

  High net primary productivity and carbon stores
• How does deforestation by burning impact the carbon cycle?

  Immediate release of carbon from biomass
• What happens to runoff rates after deforestation?

  Runoff rates increase with flood risk
• Why does precipitation decrease downwind of a deforested area?

  Less moisture in the air due to deforestation
• How does sustainable forest management minimize water cycle impact?

  Maintains evapotranspiration and reduces runoff
• How do selective logging and replanting minimize deforestation effects?

  Preserves carbon storage and restores absorption
• What are the main mitigation strategies in the Amazon?

  • Creation of national parks
  • Reforestation schemes
  • Prosecuting illegal loggers
  • National and international agreements
• What are the changes to the Amazon's climate, soil, runoff, vegetation, and rivers due to deforestation?

  • Climate: ↑ temperatures, ↓ rainfall
  • Soil: ↑ erosion, ↓ fertility
  • Runoff: ↑ flood risk
  • Vegetation: loss of biodiversity
  • Rivers: altered water cycles, low quality
• What are the inputs, stores, flows, and outputs in the Amazon rainforest?

  Inputs: Solar energy, precipitation, nutrients, seeds

  Stores: Biomass, soil

  Flows: Nutrient uptake, decomposition, photosynthesis

  Outputs: Water loss, nutrient loss, biomass loss, CO₂