8b - TRF Flashcards
(18 cards)
1
Q
how is the TRF an interdependent ecosystem?
A
- dense leaf cover + root systems protect forest floor, holding it together to stop it being eroded
- epiphytes (plants growing on other plants) to gain access to light with height (dependent on rainfall though as they can’t access soil)
- lack of wind on forest floor means plants have to rely on bees, butterflies and other animals for pollination
2
Q
how are plants adapted to the climate?
A
- emergent plants competing for sunlight with big buttress roots to support trunks
- thick waxy leaves with drip tips to run off water and prevent bacteria/fungi growth
- liana climbing plants use their trunks to climb up to the sunlight
3
Q
how are animals adapted to the climate?
A
- monkeys have strong limbs to climb and leap
- camouflaged reptiles to hide from predators
- sloths are nocturnal to feed at night when it is cooler
- sharp sense of smell and hearing to detect predators on the rainforest floor in low light levels
4
Q
describe the TRF’s nutrient cycle
A
- fast decomposition so small litter / medium soil / desnse vegetation and rapid plants growth means large biomass and rapid uptake by biomass from soils
- large amount of nutrients from rain, so also large runoff and leaching
5
Q
describe the TRF’s biodiversity (+link to b4 food webs)
A
- the trf has been around for a long time, so there has been time for species to evolve and adapt
- stratified layer structure means lots of different habitats, food and species - so very complex food webs
- stable environments which are very productive, fast and plentiful
6
Q
how is deforestation a threat to the TRF?
A
- commercial hardwood logging for furniture and construction
- commercial farming for cattle grazing or palm oil plantations
- subsistence farming
- demand for biofuels (cut land for crops)
- mineral resources (gold/copper/iron) where explosives or pits are used
- for HEP which floods large areas
- local demand for fuel wood
7
Q
why might deforestation rates be rising?
A
- poverty so more subsistence farmers and cheaper fuel
- foreign debt
- economic development (opening areas to logging/mining/farming)
8
Q
why might deforestation rates be decreasing?
A
- government policies (ecotourism?)
- international condemnation (name&shame pressure)
- monitoring systems : illegal logging is recognised and authorities act quickly
9
Q
how is climate change a threat to the TRF?
A
temp. increasing and rainfall decreasing can lead to droughts, so ecosystem stress/extinction/forest fires
10
Q
what are the global actions to protect the TRF?
A
- REDD : rewards owners for keeping forests instead of cutting them down
- CITES : agreement to control trade of wild. animals and plants
11
Q
advantages and disadvantages of REDD
A
- A : decreases deforestation, keeping biodiversity / everyone benefits from reducing emissions, and its cheap
- D : only in a certain area / prevents activities (eg agriculture/mining) that local communities may be dependent on / unclear guidelines - could be replaced with palm oil plantations, which are low in biodiversity
12
Q
advantages and disadvantages of CITES
A
- A : on a global level / raises awareness of threats through education
- D : species are protected, but not their habitats / rules are unclear (ivory?) / not all countries are members or agree
13
Q
what are some alternative ways of living sustainably?
A
- ecotourism
- sustainable farming
14
Q
how does ecotourism help the TRF?
A
- minimises damage and benefits locals
- provides a source of profit, jobs and income
- raises awareness of conservation issues
- small number of visitors, so impacts ( waste/contamination) are minimised
- if a country’s economy relies on tourism, which it can, there’s an incentive to conserve the environment
15
Q
how does sustainable farming help the TRF?
A
- agro-forestry : trees and crops planted at same time do that tree roots bind soil and leaves protect it from heavy rain
- green manure : add nutrients to the soil to maintain soil fertility
- crop rotation : crops are moved between different fields to allow to recover
16
Q
what are the economic challenges of sustainable forest management?
A
- economic benefits are only in long-term - doesn’t help countries who need income immediately
- usually more expensive, so difficult to persuade companies to be sustainable
- funded by gov departments or NGOs which could stop if the organisations change
17
Q
what are the environmental challenges of sustainable forest management?
A
- even if trees are replanted, they may not resemble the natural forest so the whole ecosystem may not be restored
- replanting trees can be slower than rate of chopping down
- even selective logging can damage lots of trees in the process of removing target trees
18
Q
what are the social challenges of sustainable forest management?
A
- creates fewer jobs than conventional forestry, so locals may turn to illegal logging, which is difficult to police
- sustainable forestry is unlikely to provide enough resources to match the increasing demand as a result of increased population
