Rainforest revisionRainforest revision

Here is the answer: what Here is the answer: what is the question?is the question?

AdaptationAdaptation EmergentEmergent Forest floorForest floor Sustainable developmentSustainable development Eco tourismEco tourism Cattle ranchingCattle ranching

What is a Rainforest?What is a Rainforest?

Rainforests are very dense, warm and Rainforests are very dense, warm and wet forestswet forests

They are havens for millions of plants They are havens for millions of plants and animalsand animals

They are very important in the ecology of They are very important in the ecology of the Earth as the plants of the rainforest the Earth as the plants of the rainforest generate much of the Earth’s oxygengenerate much of the Earth’s oxygen

Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain Forests

Tropical rain forests are found in a belt around the Tropical rain forests are found in a belt around the equator, where temperatures and rainfall are very high equator, where temperatures and rainfall are very high all year roundall year round

There is very little variation between the seasonsThere is very little variation between the seasons They will have an even distribution of rainfall annuallyThey will have an even distribution of rainfall annually Warm temperatures with less variation during the yearWarm temperatures with less variation during the year The best known rain forests are found in tropical The best known rain forests are found in tropical

regions between the Tropics of cancer and Capricornregions between the Tropics of cancer and Capricorn

Key term: Key term: EcosystemEcosystem

The way in which all living components The way in which all living components (plants, animals, soil, etc) interact.(plants, animals, soil, etc) interact.

Example of a question: Example of a question: What impact would What impact would removing the trees have on other removing the trees have on other components of the tropical rainforest components of the tropical rainforest ecosystem (4) ecosystem (4)

An ecosystem is a living community of plants and animals within a natural environment.

The distribution of ecosystems across the world is dependent on the climate and soil they rely on in order to grow.

Example of a question: Example of a question: Describe the distribution of tropical Describe the distribution of tropical rainforests (4)rainforests (4)

The layers of the The layers of the rainforestrainforest

Describe the different Describe the different reasons why the reasons why the rainforest is being rainforest is being destroyed (4)destroyed (4)

Explain the consequences Explain the consequences of the deforestation of of the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest (6)the Amazon rainforest (6)

Impacts of DeforestationPhysical:

On water cycle – more surface runoff, less rainfall, increased sediment load, greater flood risk.

On soils – more erosion, gulleying, landslides, leaching, reduced fertility.

On climate – carbon dioxide increases, increased daily range of temperature, rainfall decrease, reduced oxygen.

Examples of questions:Examples of questions:

Define sustainable Define sustainable development (2)development (2)

Describe a Describe a sustainable sustainable development scheme development scheme designed to protect designed to protect the rainforest (4)the rainforest (4)

Impacts of Deforestation

Socio-economic and cultural:

Loss of traditional way of life.

Loss of land.

Indigenous people have no immunity to “new” diseases.

Conflict between indigenous people and settlers (has led to murder).

Migrants have low standard of living.

Towards Sustainability?Several countries are making moves towards managing rainforests more sustainably. Strategies include:

National Parks with no disturbance.

Replanting.

Involving local people in decision making.

Green and eco-tourism.

Debt for nature swaps.