Tropical Rainforests
0.0 / 5
- Created by: Iona112
- Created on: 29-11-21 20:26
Where are tropical rainforests found
- Central and South America
- Central Africa
- South East Asia
- Northern Australia
- Central Africa
- South East Asia
- Northern Australia
1 of 56
What is the climate like
- The temperature is high and constant throughout the year
- The rainfall is high
- Rainfall varies throughout the year
- The rainfall is high
- Rainfall varies throughout the year
2 of 56
Rainfall in the Rainforest
- around 2000mm a year
- rainfall is high as global atmospheric circulation causes an area of low pressure to form at the Equator. the rising air creates clouds and triggers heavy rain
- Rainfall varies throughout the year, wet season lasts about 6 months
- rainfall is high as global atmospheric circulation causes an area of low pressure to form at the Equator. the rising air creates clouds and triggers heavy rain
- Rainfall varies throughout the year, wet season lasts about 6 months
3 of 56
Temperature in the rainforest
- About 27° throughout the year
- the temperature is high and constant throughout the year as the powerful Sun is overhead for most of the time
- the temperature is high and constant throughout the year as the powerful Sun is overhead for most of the time
4 of 56
What are the soils like
- infertile
- most nutrients are found at the surface where dead leaves decompose rapidly in the hot and humid conditions
- Heavy rainfall can quickly dissolve and carry away nutrients, this is called leaching
- most nutrients are found at the surface where dead leaves decompose rapidly in the hot and humid conditions
- Heavy rainfall can quickly dissolve and carry away nutrients, this is called leaching
5 of 56
Biodiversity in the rainforest
- over 1/2 of all the plants and animals species on the planet live of the 7% of land surface that is a rainforest
6 of 56
How have plant roots adapted to rainforests
- shallow roots to absorb nutrients in the soil, fungi growing on the roots transfer nutrients straight from the air
- Buttresses are massive ridges that help support the base of the tall trees, help transport water and O/ CO2 exchange by increasing SA
- Buttresses are massive ridges that help support the base of the tall trees, help transport water and O/ CO2 exchange by increasing SA
7 of 56
how have plant leaves adapted to rainforests
- many leaves have flexible bases so that they can turn to face the sun
- many leaves have a drip tip to allow the heavy rain to drip off the leaf
- many leaves have a drip tip to allow the heavy rain to drip off the leaf
8 of 56
How have plant trunks adapted to rainforests
- fast growing trees to compete with each other for sunlight
- thin smooth park on trees to allow water to flow down easily
- thin smooth park on trees to allow water to flow down easily
9 of 56
Epiphytes
can live on branches high in the canopy to seek sunlight, they obtain nutrients from water and air rather than soil
10 of 56
Lianas
woody creepers rooted to the ground but carried by trees to the canopy where they have their leaves and flowers
11 of 56
Malaysia
- country in South East Asia
- 67% of Malaysia's land is covered by rainforest
- 67% of Malaysia's land is covered by rainforest
12 of 56
Deforestation
- the cutting down of trees, often on a very large scale
- timber is a highly valued export
- the land can be used for other profit making enterprises, like cattle ranching and commercial farming
- timber is a highly valued export
- the land can be used for other profit making enterprises, like cattle ranching and commercial farming
13 of 56
rate of deforestation in Malaysia
- the rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than any tropical country in the world
- between 2000 and 2013 Malaysia's total forest loss was an area larger than Denmark
- between 2000 and 2013 Malaysia's total forest loss was an area larger than Denmark
14 of 56
Logging in Malaysia
- Malaysia became the world's largest exporter of tropical woods in the 1980's
- clear felling was common, led to total destruction of forest habitats
- logging requires road construction
- recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective log
- clear felling was common, led to total destruction of forest habitats
- logging requires road construction
- recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective log
15 of 56
clear felling
where all the trees in an area are chopped down
16 of 56
selective logging
Where only fully-grown trees are cut down.
Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
17 of 56
The Bakun Dam
- The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asia's highest dam outside of China
- 2011 the dam started to generate electricity
- supplies energy for industrialise Peninsular Malaysia
- the dams reservoir flooded 700km of forests & farmland
- several more dams are planned
- 2011 the dam started to generate electricity
- supplies energy for industrialise Peninsular Malaysia
- the dams reservoir flooded 700km of forests & farmland
- several more dams are planned
18 of 56
Mineral extraction in Malaysia
-Mining is common in Peninsular Malaysia
- Rainforest has been cleared for mining and road construction
- Drilling for oil and gas has recently started on Borneo
- Rainforest has been cleared for mining and road construction
- Drilling for oil and gas has recently started on Borneo
19 of 56
Population pressure in Malaysia
- In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the country side
- This is called transmigration
- Between 1956-1980 about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers
- many then set up plantations
- This is called transmigration
- Between 1956-1980 about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers
- many then set up plantations
20 of 56
Commercial farming in Malaysia
-Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world.
- During 1979s, large areas of land were converted to palm oil
- plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
- During 1979s, large areas of land were converted to palm oil
- plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
21 of 56
Subsistence farming in Malaysia
-Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming.
- traditionally local communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow crops in cleared areas of forest land, this is sustainable
- traditionally local communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow crops in cleared areas of forest land, this is sustainable
22 of 56
'Slash and Burn'
- one method of clearing land is 'slash and burn'
- involves the use of fire to clear the land
- the burning creates valuable nutrients that help plants to grow
- these fires can grow out of control and destroy large areas of forest
- involves the use of fire to clear the land
- the burning creates valuable nutrients that help plants to grow
- these fires can grow out of control and destroy large areas of forest
23 of 56
Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia: Soil erosion
- the roots of trees and plants bind the soil together so deforestation means that soil can easily become loose and erode away
24 of 56
What is soil erosion
- soil takes thousands of years to form but can be stripped away in a matter of hours
- removal of soil by wind and rain is called soil erosion
- removal of soil by wind and rain is called soil erosion
25 of 56
Impacts of deforestation: Loss of biodiversity
- Rainforests are the most biodiverse ecosystem in the world
- deforestation destroy the ecosystem and many habitats in there
- this reduces the biodiversity
- deforestation destroy the ecosystem and many habitats in there
- this reduces the biodiversity
26 of 56
Biodiversity in the Main range, Peninsular Malaysia
- largest area of continuous forest left in Peninsular Malaysia
- over 600 species in the forest
- home to over 25% of plant species found in Malaysia
- many undiscovered plants that have medical qualities
- over 600 species in the forest
- home to over 25% of plant species found in Malaysia
- many undiscovered plants that have medical qualities
27 of 56
Economic gains from deforestation
- provides jobs
- companies pay taxes to gov, can be used for public services
- improved infrastructure opens areas for industrial development & tourism
- Hydro-electric power will provide cheap and plentiful energy
- Some minerals are very valuable
- companies pay taxes to gov, can be used for public services
- improved infrastructure opens areas for industrial development & tourism
- Hydro-electric power will provide cheap and plentiful energy
- Some minerals are very valuable
28 of 56
Economic losses from deforestation due to
pollution and climate change
pollution and climate change
- pollution of water sources & dry climate could result in water shortages
- Fires cause harmful pollution & can get out of control
- Rising temp may devastate forms of farming eg. growing tea
- adapting to climate change could have an economic cost
- Fires cause harmful pollution & can get out of control
- Rising temp may devastate forms of farming eg. growing tea
- adapting to climate change could have an economic cost
29 of 56
Economic losses from deforestation
social effects
social effects
- number of tourists attracted to the rainforest could decrease
- Undiscovered plant that could bring huge medical benefits and high profits may become extinct
- Undiscovered plant that could bring huge medical benefits and high profits may become extinct
30 of 56
Rates of deforestation worldwide
statistics
statistics
- every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is being destroyed, over 1500 hectares an hour
-tropical rainforests once covered over 15.5 mill km now cover 6.2 mill km
- an area of rainforest the size of China has been lost
-tropical rainforests once covered over 15.5 mill km now cover 6.2 mill km
- an area of rainforest the size of China has been lost
31 of 56
which 2 countries have the fastest rates of deforestation
- Brazil
- Indonesia
- account for 40% of the worlds deforestation
- decreasing in Brazil but increasing in Indonesia
- Indonesia
- account for 40% of the worlds deforestation
- decreasing in Brazil but increasing in Indonesia
32 of 56
Deforestation in Brazil
- most deforestation in Brazil involves large landowners and big companies
- most was cleared for cattle ranching
- since 2004 the rate of deforestation in Brazil has fallen by nearly 80%
- most was cleared for cattle ranching
- since 2004 the rate of deforestation in Brazil has fallen by nearly 80%
33 of 56
Why did deforestation in Brazil decrease
- Brazilian government much tougher on illegal deforestation
- Leading the world in conservation- over 1/2 of the Amazon is protected
- Reducing C emissions to prevent climate change
- consumer pressure not to use products from deforested areas
- Leading the world in conservation- over 1/2 of the Amazon is protected
- Reducing C emissions to prevent climate change
- consumer pressure not to use products from deforested areas
34 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
Biodiversity:
Biodiversity:
- tropical rainforests contain half of all the plants and animals in the world
- they are home to thousands of different species
- some plants may become extinct before they are even discovered
- they are home to thousands of different species
- some plants may become extinct before they are even discovered
35 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
Climate change:
Climate change:
- Rainforests absorb CO2
36 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
Climate:
Climate:
- Known as the 'lungs of the world'
- 28% of the worlds oxygen comes from the rainforests
- prevent the climate from becoming too hot and dry
- 28% of the worlds oxygen comes from the rainforests
- prevent the climate from becoming too hot and dry
37 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
Medicine:
Medicine:
- around 25% of all medicines come from rainforest plants
- More than 2000 tropical forests plants have anti-cancer properties
- More than 2000 tropical forests plants have anti-cancer properties
38 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
Resources:
Resources:
- tropical rainforest trees provide valuable hardwoods as well as nuts, fruit and rubber
39 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
water:
water:
- Rainforests are important sources for clean water
- 20% of the worlds fresh water comes from the Amazon basin
- 20% of the worlds fresh water comes from the Amazon basin
40 of 56
Why should tropical rainforests be protected
People:
People:
- Indigenous tribes live in harmony in the world's rainforests making use of the forests resources without causing any long term harm
41 of 56
The Achuar people in the Peruvian Amazon
- a tribe of about 11000 people that live in small communities and rely on the resources of the rainforest for their buildings, food and fuel
- they treat the rainforest with respect
- they treat the rainforest with respect
42 of 56
Achaur people VS Oil companies
- There are rich reserves of oil in this region
- oil companies want permission to explore & drill for oil
- means the Achuar lose some of their land & their environment may be damaged by oil pollution
- the Achuar are resistant to oil exploration
- oil companies want permission to explore & drill for oil
- means the Achuar lose some of their land & their environment may be damaged by oil pollution
- the Achuar are resistant to oil exploration
43 of 56
Talisman Energy
- The Achuar have so far been successful
- in 2012 Talisman Energy stopped their oil exploration in the region
- in 2012 Talisman Energy stopped their oil exploration in the region
44 of 56
Why do rainforests need to be managed sustainably
- Ensure that rainforests remain a lasting resource for future generations
- to allow valuable rainforest resources to be used without causing long-term damage to the environment
- to allow valuable rainforest resources to be used without causing long-term damage to the environment
45 of 56
selective logging and replanting
- A sustainable approach to logging
46 of 56
Clear felling
- the most damaging form of deforestation
- All trees, big and small are chopped down in the area being clearer
- completely destroys the ecosystem
- All trees, big and small are chopped down in the area being clearer
- completely destroys the ecosystem
47 of 56
preparation for selective logging
2 years before- study to identify what is there
1 year before- trees marked for felling. Arrows painted on trees to indicate direction of felling to avoid damaging other valuable trees
1 year before- trees marked for felling. Arrows painted on trees to indicate direction of felling to avoid damaging other valuable trees
48 of 56
Selective Logging
How it works
How it works
felling- trees felled by licence holders
3-6 mother's after- survey to check what's been felled, persecution for illegal felling
2 years-treatment plan to restore forest
5-10 years- regeneration work & trees replaced
30-40 years- cycle repeats
3-6 mother's after- survey to check what's been felled, persecution for illegal felling
2 years-treatment plan to restore forest
5-10 years- regeneration work & trees replaced
30-40 years- cycle repeats
49 of 56
Conservation and education
- conservation areas, can be used for education, scientific research & tourism
- large international businesses have supported conservation projects in exchange for carrying out scientific research or the provision of raw materials
- large international businesses have supported conservation projects in exchange for carrying out scientific research or the provision of raw materials
50 of 56
Givaudan
- A Swiss perfume company works with conservation international & aims to protect 148000 ha of rainforest
- Local people harvest & market Tonka beans
- in 2012 a warehouse where they dried & stored was built
- improves quality and increases their value
- Local people harvest & market Tonka beans
- in 2012 a warehouse where they dried & stored was built
- improves quality and increases their value
51 of 56
Ecotourism
- it aims to introduce people to the natural world, benefit local communities & protect environment
- through income generated by ecotourism local people & government benefit from retaining & protecting their rainforest trees
- long term profit
- through income generated by ecotourism local people & government benefit from retaining & protecting their rainforest trees
- long term profit
52 of 56
International agreements
- Rainforests are now understood to be of global important
- they absorb CO2 & release oxygen
- international agreements have been made to help protect rainforests
- they absorb CO2 & release oxygen
- international agreements have been made to help protect rainforests
53 of 56
Hardwood forestry
- theFSC is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
- Products sourced from sustainably managed forests carry FSC lable
- educate manufacturers & consumers about the need to buy sustainable hardwood
- Products sourced from sustainably managed forests carry FSC lable
- educate manufacturers & consumers about the need to buy sustainable hardwood
54 of 56
Debt reduction
- some countries have borrowed money to fund developments
- to pay off these debts some raised money from deforestation programs
- some donor countries & organisations have reduced debt in return for agreement that rainforests will not be deforested
- to pay off these debts some raised money from deforestation programs
- some donor countries & organisations have reduced debt in return for agreement that rainforests will not be deforested
55 of 56
Carbon sinks
- in 2008 the Goal Forest in Sierra Leone became a protected national park
- plays a significant role in reducing global warming
- acts as a carbon sink by absorbing C02 from the air
- plays a significant role in reducing global warming
- acts as a carbon sink by absorbing C02 from the air
56 of 56
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is the climate like
Back
- The temperature is high and constant throughout the year
- The rainfall is high
- Rainfall varies throughout the year
- The rainfall is high
- Rainfall varies throughout the year
Card 3
Front
Rainfall in the Rainforest
Back
Card 4
Front
Temperature in the rainforest
Back
Card 5
Front
What are the soils like
Back
Related discussions on The Student Room
- AQA A Level Geography Paper 1 (7037/1) - 17th May 2023 [Exam Chat] »
- OCR A-Level Geography Physical Systems | [17th May 2023] Exam Chat »
- Geography 6 mark HELP »
- OCR A Level Geography 2023 predictions »
- Alevel geography hazard 20 marker »
- What's an interesting fact that you've learned? »
- GCSE Geography Study Group 2023-2024 »
- Make it More Tropical Fruit-ey !! »
- University of Plymouth Marine Biology »
- geography natural hazards »
Similar Geography resources:
0.0 / 5
2.0 / 5 based on 1 rating
0.0 / 5
2.0 / 5 based on 1 rating
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
1.0 / 5 based on 1 rating
0.0 / 5
Comments
No comments have yet been made