Amazon

Question 1

Location and background

Answer 1

5.5 million km^2
60 percent is in Brazil
Rest in Bolivia Peru Columbia Venezuela etc
55 million years old

Question 2

Physical characteristics

Answer 2

Daily conventional rain - 3000mm per year
Rain in afternoon after morning sun evaporated water
27 degrees average
Soil in amazon infertile so shallow nutrient rich layer
Nutrients added quickly because of hot damp conditions attributing to fast decomposition

Question 3

Plant and animal adaptations

Answer 3

Tall trees - buttress roots to support in shallow soil
Lianas are like vines and grow up trees to reach sunlight
Fan palms have large leaves to capture available light on floor
Animals like sloth can climb through canopy to avoid predators
Dart frogs are camouflaged

Question 4

Importance to wider world

Answer 4

Use co2 and release oxygen
Amazons plants and animals store billions of tonnes of carbon and use 2.2 billion tonnes each year
Microclimate plays vital role in global water cycle
Only 1 percent of amazons flowering plant species has been studies meaning huge potential for medicines

Question 5

Causes of deforestation

Answer 5

Cattle ranching (65percent) to feed global beef demand
1-2 percent is mining of metals and minerals
5-10 percent commercial agriculture
2-3 percent logging
1-2 percent urban areas
Rapid population growth pressure on resources

Question 6

Consequences of deforestation

Answer 6

Indigenous people from 6 million to less than 200000
Fewer roots means more soil erosion
Mercury released poisoning water
Endangered and extinct species
Road construction - easier access - more deforestation
Soil infertile
Reduction in oxygen released
Amazon accounts for 20 percent global oxygen production
Interrupts water cycle
Storing 33 percent less carbon than a decade ago