Ecosystems

Ecosystems

1. Equatorial Climate

   • Climate
     • Factors Affecting Climate
       • Relief
         • The higher up the mountain you go, the colder it get
       • Latitude
         • The sun's rays are more concentrated at the equator
       • Ocean Currents
         • Can also blow over rain
         • The sea sends warm currents get blown over to us
       • Prevailing Winds
         • Winds blow over the warmth from other countries
       • Distance from the Sea
         • The sea takes longer to warm up, the sea is warm in the winter
         • The sea provides a coastal breeze
     • The average conditions you would find over a long period of time

2. Deforestation

   • Problems
     • Loss of Species
       • Over 70% of the world's species live in the rainforests
       • Biodiversity Tragedy
     • Carbon Emissions
       • Rainforests absorb Greenhouse gases
       • When cut down, trees emit Greenhouse gases
     • Water cycle
       • Trees store water in their roots
       • May make climate drier
     • Soil Erosion
       • The soil becomes dry
         • Bad for farming
         • Vulnerable to flooding
   • Reasons
     • Logging
       • Felling trees for timber and wood
       • Leaves a hole in the canopy
       • The heavy machinery compacts the soil and makes it not arable
     • Commercial Farming
       • Companies like McDonald's keep iivestock there
       • Need space for cattle
     • Fuel Wood
     • Dams
       • Forests destroyed to make room
       • Don't clear the land properly so pollution forms
     • Mining
       • Clear space for mines
       • Roads to get to mines
       • Rushed job
     • Tourism

3. Why are rainforests found on the Equator?

   • Sun
     • The earth's tilt means that the sun's rays are more concentrated at the equator
     • Hot Climate
   • Rainfall
     • The Equator gets lots of rainfall
   • CO2
     • The equatorial line has lots of Co2 for the plants and trees in the cycle of respiration
   • Nitrogen
     • Growth and repair
     • Protein Source
   • Weather
     • Consistent weather each day

4. Rainforest Structure

   • Canopy
     • Huge Blanket of leaves
     • Trees race to get the most sunlight
     • 20-40 metres tall
   • Emergents
     • Tallest trees that break through the canopy
   • Under canopy
     • Gets limited sunlight
     • Saplings wait here for the trees in the canopy to die
   • Shrub layer
     • Dark, gloomy and damp

5. Tribes

   • Food
     • Fishing
       • Timbo vine to remove the oxygen from the water
   • Appearance
     • Paints
   • Housing
     • Building materials to make their houses with
   • Medicines
     • Know which plant can do what