Battle for the biosphere

Battle for the biosphere

1. What is the Biosphere?

   • The biosphere is the part of the Earth's surface that is inhabited by living things.
     • A biome is a large ecosystem
       • Climate (temperature, rainfall and sunshine) determines what animals and plants live in a biome.
         • Biomes are different in differnet parts of the world because of the difference in climate
         • Latitude has an affect on climate so often biomes change as you travel north or south.
         • The sun's rays are more intense at the Equator leading to hotter temperatures in the Tropics
         • Vegetation growth rates are higher in areas eith high precipitation. Coastal areas have more rain due to the presenece of wet maritime winds. Upland areas also are more likely to have higher rates as clouds are forced to rise and condense.
   • Local Factors that change biomes
     • Continentality- Near the coast land is cooled by the sea, decreasing the average temperature
     • Geology- Limestone bedrock creates dry soil conditions as it does not retain water.
     • Altitude- Temperature decreases by 1 degree for every 100m gained in altitude. Therefore, less can grow at high altitude.
     • Relief/Aspect- In northern hempisheres, southern facing slopes get more sunlight therefore more vegetation can grow.

2. What is a Tropical Rainforest?

   • Found mostly in a band around the equator
   • Here the concetrated Sun's rays heat the moist air causing it to rise.
     • Heavy rainfall is the result and a climate with near perfect all year growing conditions.
   • The rainforest is very biodiverse- this means it has a great variety of differnet types of plants and animals.

3. What impacts are humans having on the Tropical Rainforest?

   • Logging
     • Commercial logging destroys the forest and animal habitat.
     • Often several trees are destroyed in the process of cutting down and removing one tree
   • Conversion to Farmland
     • Commercial intensive farming requires massive areas of land to be destroyed.
     • Either plantations of crops such as soya and coffee are grown or the land is used for grazing cattle for beef.
   • Mining
     • Mining cuts away whole hillsides. Open cast mining destroys the surface and restoration is only partially successfull.
     • Transport to and from the mine also causes polution.
     • Case Study- Carajas Scheme, Amazon
   • Road Building
     • Although it only damages a small area it allows access to previously inaccessible parts of the forest.
     • This can then lead to deforestation for logging or farming. Often creates a 'Fishbone'effect where areas of forest are destroyed either side of the road.
   • Cattle Ranching
     • Huge areas of the forest are deforested and turned into a pasture for cattle. Much of this cattle is turned into canned corned beef and its' hide used in leather shoes, jackets and upholstery
   • All forms of deforestation have an impact on the processess that take place on the forest. The removal of trees reduces the leaf litter falling onto the forest floor which in turn will reduce the amount of nutrients that enter the soil. This therefore reduces the soils ability to allow new plant growth

4. What good and services can be provided by the Tropical Rainforest? The biosphere as a life support system

   • The bioshphere acts as a life support system for the planet- it regulates the composition of the atmoshphere, maintaining soil health and regulating the hydrological cycle.
   • Goods are products which can be removed from the forest and the bought and sold. This can be done in a sustainable way (this means without danaging the forest)
     • Goods- Food, crops, meat, fish, timber, firewood, biomass for energy, drinking or irrigation water, fruits, nuts, ruber, medicines, cattle, minerals and metals
   • Services are things which the forest does for the biosphere, these are usually processes that the forest helps to run that benefit life on the planet.
     • Atmosphere Regulation
       • Forests removes Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and this redues global warming.
     • Hydrological cycle Regulation
       • Forests intercept rainwater on their leaves. This slows the water down in getting to the river. This reduces the risk of flash floods.
       • However, following deforesstation trees are no longer able to holf the topsoil togehter this is then washed into the river by the heavy rain and increases the risk of flooding.
     • Nutrient Cycle
       • Leaf litter from dying plant leaves are broken down by termites and fungi on the forest floor. This releases nutrients into the soil to help make the soil fertile and allow other plants to grow.
   • The biosphere acts as a life support system for the planet

5. How can we sustainanly manage biomes?

   • Sustainable managment means to make us of a resource in a way that protects it for future generations to enjoy, Benfits and trains local people, Is environmentally friendly
     • Selective Logging
       • By only felling tress once they reach a particular height and age this allows younger trees to grow and take their place. This means that the forest can recover and regain its full maturity after 30 years.
     • Ecotourism
       • This encourages tourists to visit a biome such as a rainforest. However the aim of the holiday is to promote environmental awareness. Often tourists will take part in conservation activities such as monitoring bird life or replanting trees. Local peole run the resort so earn money and learn new skills. The resorts are often small so have only a minimal impact on the environment.
       • Case Study- Santa Lucia, Tropical Rainforest in Ecuador
     • National Parks
       • These are conversation areas which are set up in a valuable or rare envionments. They have very strict rules about what can be built by the landowners and residents of the park and what industry can take place in the park. Tourists are encouraged to visit and learn about the area and park rangers are employed to run conservation projects and help tourists enjoy the enviornment.
       • Case Studies- Peak District National Park, UK. Costa Rica.
     • International Laws
       • Many biomes or ecosystems cover several different countries. This requires internationcal laws to be set up which many countries sign up to. They all agree on how best to use the ecosystem to ensure it is not being destoyed
       • Case Study- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Signed in 1971 by 153 countries to ensure that 1.5 million square hectares of wetland across the world are protected.