component 3 (forests under threat) (paper 3) Flashcards
specific facts about tropical rainforests
6% of the earths surface
get on average 30 feet of rain per year
some can trace their origins to 70 million years ago
home to half the worlds plants and animals
what is biodiversity
the variety of living organisms in an ecosystem or biome
plant adaptations in the tropical rain forest
There are 4 stratified layers in the rainforest as so much vegetation can grow.
Emergent trees have large buttress roots to keep them stable and allow them to grow so tall.
Plants in the canopy have drip tips to allow the water to fall off and prevent the plants being damaged.
animal adaptations in the tropical rain forest
Sloths have huge claws to allow them to hang upside down and their fur grows away from them to help the rain water drip off.
Primates have adapted to live in the trees as that is where most of the food is.
plant adaptations in the Taiga
Trees have needles for leaves as these have a very small surface area to avoid water loss.
Trees have a cone-shape with branches pointing down to help snow fall off.
The structures are simple to avoid freezing.
animal adaptations in the Taiga
Birds migrate during the cold winter months, in Canada there are 300 species in the summer but only 30 stay for the winter.
Many animals hibernate and have thick fur coats for insulation
what is productivity like in the tropical rainforest
There is a huge amount of biomass as productivity is high and biodiversity is high.
There are complex food webs because most animals are selective about what they eat
what is productivity like in the Taiga
Biodiversity is low in the taiga because plants and animals can only survive if specially adapted.
The growing season is only 4-5 months long.
There is only one layer of vegetation so productivity is low.
direct threats to the tropical rainforest
There are many causes of deforestation including commercial hardwood logging, subsistence and commercial agriculture and local demand for fuelwood.
Further deforestation is caused by demand for biofuels, mineral resources and electricity (HEP)
indirect threat to tropical rainforests
Climate change threatens the health of rainforests as there is likely to be less rain in these areas, there is also likely to be higher temperature and more fires, leading to more fires
direct threats to the Taiga
Deforestation is caused by logging for softwood, pulp and paper production. Much deforestation has already occurred in these areas
indirect threats to the Taiga
Exploitation of minerals, fossil fuels and HEP are also causing damage.
Acid raid, forest fires, pests and diseases also threaten the health of the taiga
global actions to manage tropical rain forests
CITES is to stop trade of protected species and therefore protect the rainforest, however this is difficult to police.
REDD is a scheme for developed countries to give money to countries who have rainforests to keep them intact.
Some governments however are still allowing the removal of natural forests when replaced by palm plantations.
sustainable management of tropical rainforests
ecotourism can be used to manage damage to the rainforest. This is where only small groups of tourists enter an area and are educated about how best to protect the area.
Farming can also be done sustainably by having mixed crops and only cutting down individual trees
management of Taiga forests
Wilderness areas and national parks are set up to provide protection for areas. However this can increase tourism to areas which may cause more damage.
Sustainable forestry is a strategy used to maintain corridors of vegetation to allow the movement of species.
Some countries rely on logging for their economy as well as energy production. Indigenous people often wish to maintain their way of life rather than allowing the area to becoming a national park
