case study- Amazon Flashcards
(25 cards)
Where is the Amazon Rainforest located and how large is it?
- spans across 9 countries in South America, mostly in Brazil.
- covers around 5.5 million km²
- the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
What type of climate does the Amazon rainforest have?
tropical rainforest climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity year-round.
What is the average temperature in the Amazon rainforest?
around 25-30°C.
How much rainfall does the Amazon rainforest receive annually?
around 2500mm
What role does precipitation play in the Amazon’s water cycle?
input, contributing to local humidity and river systems.
What is transpiration, and how does it affect the water cycle in the Amazon?
Transpiration is the release of water vapor by plants, contributing to humidity and cloud formation, which influences precipitation.
How does evapotranspiration impact the Amazon rainforest?
High rates of evapotranspiration can account for about 50-75% of the precipitation
Why are the Amazon River and its tributaries significant to the water cycle?
They drain a massive area, transporting freshwater to the Atlantic Ocean and playing a crucial role in the hydrology of the region.
How much carbon does the Amazon rainforest store?
100 billion metric tons of carbon
What is the process of photosynthesis in relation to the carbon cycle in the Amazon?
Dense vegetation absorbs large amounts of CO₂ during photosynthesis, contributing to carbon sequestration.
How does decomposition affect the carbon cycle in the Amazon rainforest?
Decomposition releases carbon back into the atmosphere
What is the impact of deforestation on the carbon cycle in the Amazon?
Deforestation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere
What human activities contribute to deforestation in the Amazon?
Logging, agriculture (especially cattle ranching and soybean production), and infrastructure development are key activities leading to deforestation.
How does deforestation disrupt the water cycle in the Amazon?
Deforestation reduces transpiration rates, leading to decreased rainfall and increased drought risk.
What impacts does climate change have on the Amazon rainforest?
Climate change can alter weather patterns, leading to more intense droughts or floods and increased forest dieback
What conservation efforts are being made in the Amazon rainforest?
- Protected areas
- promoting sustainable practices
- international agreements like the Amazon Fund aim to reduce deforestation
Define transpiration
Transpiration is the process of water vapor release from plants into the atmosphere.
Why is the Amazon important for the global water and carbon cycles?
- stores vast amounts of carbon in biomass and soils
- contributes 25–30% of regional rainfall through evapotranspiration
What is interception like in the Amazon Rainforest?
Dense vegetation leads to high interception rates—up to 75% of rainfall is intercepted by the canopy.
How does evapotranspiration affect the Amazon’s water cycle?
Around 50–60% of rainfall is returned to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration
What is the role of photosynthesis in the Amazon’s carbon cycle?
The Amazon absorbs approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually through photosynthesis.
How does deforestation affect the water cycle in the Amazon?
- It reduces evapotranspiration
- lowers humidity
- decreases rainfall
- leading to drier conditions
How much of the Amazon has been deforested since 1970?
Around 800,000 km²—roughly 17% of the original forest.
What is REDD+ and how does it help the Amazon?
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is a UN initiative that provides financial incentives to conserve forests and reduce carbon emissions.
