Fichas
Tropical Rainforest
Fichas del conjunto (22)
- 1Ecological conditionsAbiotic conditions: relatively constant, ideal for photosynthesis. Warm/hot, high rainfall, high light levels.
Biotic factors: dominate survival as species have had a long time to adapt to abiotic conditions. Include: pollination, seed dispersal, inter-species competition and nutrient supplies. - 2Wildlife in the rain forest: PlantsAlmost total vegetation cover, canopy allows micro climate to exist. Competition for light, so tall plants have a survival advantage. High light and stable temperatures create high biological productivity and high biodiversity. Hard to support tall trees with the shallow soil so buttress and prop roots provide extract support. Ground layer plants absorb blue and red light have have additional pigment to absorb more green light.
- 3Wildlife in the rain-forest: HerbivoresDense vegetation means lots of food, but also lots of competition. Most vegetation is up high so herbivores can climb or fly or eat fruit or seeds. Monkeys mostly have a fruit-based diet and allow seeds to be dispersed. Long-limbed monkeys can jump between trees, e.g. spider monkey.
- 4Wildlife in the rain-forest: CarnivoresLarge variety of food available available but feeding may be required to overcome defense of prey. Camouflage reduces predation. Scorpions use a sting to defend themselves. Inter-species relationships are very important. Leaf-cutter ants carry leaves to their nest where the leaves are fed to fungi. The ants ea the fungi.
- 5Importance of rainforests-High biodiversity
-Resources
-Carbon sequestration
-Hydrological cycle
-Soil erosion control - 6Importance of rainforests - high biodiversity-Not a benefit on its own, but produces other beneficial features. Ecosystems with a high biodiversity are more stable. It means there are more species to research and so more knowledge about medicines.
- 7Importance of rainforests - resources-Some resources can be exploited such as timber but this can result in over-exploitation. Other resources can be found which don't cause long-term damage such as new foods, medicines, physiological research, fibers, oils. Many plants have important genetics which could be used for future crop breeding programmes. Mexican Wild Yam produces chemical diosgenin which can produce steroid used for the contraceptive pill and treatment of morning sickness.
- 8Importance of rainforests - carbon sequestrationPlants absorb CO2 in photosynthesis and some trees build up CO2 as stores. If they are burnt or destroyed the CO2 would be released and would contribute to GCC.
- 9Importance of rainforests - Hydrological cyclePlants affect the hydrological cycle by: increased interception, transpiration and reduced runoff. Roots and leaf litter slow water runoff and increase the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil.
- 10Importance of rainforests - soil erosion controlRainforests reduce soil erosion by: leaves reducing rain impact, roots binding the soil together, leaf litter protecting against rain and decayed ventilation produces humus which sticks soil particles together.
- 11Threats to rainforest-Fuelwood extraction
-Timber for construction and furniture
-Agriculture
-Mineral extraction
-Reservoirs
-GCC
-Exploitation of individual species - 12Threats to rainforest - fuelwood extractionWood main energy resource used by LEDCs. Exploitation is never really sustainable because of the growing demand. Inefficient stoves make fuelwood use greater than if stoves were more efficient.
- 13Threats to rainforest - Timber for construction and agricultureTimber used for house construction, furniture and also commercial trade. Possible to conserve rainforests is we exploit them sustainably, however most timber exploitation is unsustainable.
- 14Threats to rainforest - agricultureForest destruction to produce food has two main causes:
-Food production: locals that have few other options. Known as slash and burn. Sustainable as long as population is low enough that the clearing can e recolonised.
-Commercial agriculture to produce food to export. - 15Threats to rainforest - mineral extractionMany valuable mineral deposits under tropical rainforests including aluminum, copper and iron. Extraction results in habitat loss and can cause water pollution such as turbid drainage water.
- 16Threats to rainforest - reservoirsHEP popular with tropical rainforests, doesn't require fossil fuels or complicated technology, however construction of the dam results in areas being flooded. Dead vegetation can decay anaerobically releasing methane causing more GCC. Green iguana nests in riverbanks in dry season bu sudden releases of water from the dam would destroy those nests.
- 17Threats to rainforest - GCCClimate change may increase temperatures and reduce rainfall, threatening survival f species that need moist conditions,eg. tree frogs.
- 18Threats to rainforest - Exploitation of individual speciesIndividual species may be chosen because of individual features, e.g. for food fashion and pet trade. Young orangutans captured for the pet trade, tigers hunted for their bones to make traditional herbal medicines.
- 19Conservation of rainforestsDesignated protected areas
-Debt for nature swaps
-Sustainable exploitation - 20Conservation of rainforests - designated protected area-Increasingly more legal protection for rainforests, e.g. Korup National Park in Cameroon. However legal protection is only effective if enforced.
- 21Conservation of rainforests - Debt for Nature SwapsMany LEDCs have large debts with MEDCs. They may be prepared to write off the debt if some of the money is payed back. This involves several stages: charity in MEDC agrees to pay back some of the debt, rest of the debt is written off LEDC agrees to conserve an area of rainforests and pay for conservation.
- 22Conservation of rainforests - Sustainable exploitationTropical rainforests often have human residents so if conservation doesn't threaten it won't gain their support. If rainforest is used sustainably and supports the local economy it can be successful. This may be timber harvesting and ecotourism.
Información
- Descripción
- A level Environmental Studies Fichas sobre Tropical Rainforest, creado por Mollie Munday el 11/02/2019.
- Creado por
- Mollie Munday
- Visitas
- 2
- Valoración
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