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Geography > Forests Under Threat > Flashcards

Forests Under Threat Flashcards

1
Q

how are evergreen hardwood trees adapted to survive in the rainforest?

A

small slim trunk with no branches

huge buttress roots for support weight so plant can grow tall

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2
Q

how do stratified layers help plants adapt to the rainforest?

A

forest floor, under canopy, canopy and emergent layers help plants receive the right amount of sunlight they require

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3
Q

how are epiphytes adapted to the rainforest?

A

they grow on other plants to get closer to light for better growing conditions

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4
Q

how are drip tip leaves adapted to the rainforest?

A

thick, waxy leaves to prevent them from rotting

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5
Q

how are sloths adapted to the rainforest?

A

huge claws to hang upside down
fur grows away from feet to shed rain water
green algae in fur for camouflage

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6
Q

how are primates adapted to the rainforest?

A

long tails balance them

strong claws help them grip trees

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7
Q

what is commercial hardwood logging?

A

countries sell timber for money so they can pay international debt

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8
Q

how is logging a threat to the TRF?

A

most rainforests are in developing countries where legal systems are corrupt meaning police allow it to happen in return for money

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9
Q

how is commercial agriculture a threat to the TRF?

A

trees are cleared so crops can be grown to make a profit

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10
Q

how is subsistence agriculture a threat to the TRF?

A

nutrients in soil are leached out and weed growth takes over

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11
Q

how is mining a threat to the TRF?

A

roads are built to access mines that encourage loggers and farmers to move in

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12
Q

what % of deforestation is linked to mining?

A

15%

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13
Q

how is fuel-wood a threat to the TRF?

A

those living in the rainforest cut down trees to use the wood for fuel

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14
Q

how is climate change a threat to the TRF?

A

warmer global temps mean weather systems bringing wet weather to equatorial areas is shifted pole-wards so rainforests do not receive as much rain
more droughts which threaten species
forest fires will increase

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15
Q

what is REDD?

A

reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation

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16
Q

what does REDD do?

A

supports schemes that reduce the rate of deforestation

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17
Q

what are the advantages of REDD?

A

attractive funding for governments
provides international expertise to develop the best approaches
protects whole biome

18
Q

what are the disadvantages of REDD?

A

vague about what counts as forests for replanting

some regions where deforestation is still rapid have signed up

19
Q

what is CITES?

A

the convention on international trade and endangered species

20
Q

what does CITES do? How many species does it currently protect?

A

stop the buying and selling of endangered species so illegal collecting will stop
35,000

21
Q

what are the advantages of CITES?

A

protects endangered species such as the snow leopard

good global coverage

22
Q

what are the disadvantages of CITES?

A

does not protect ecosystems so deforestation still occurs

relies on countries setting up and funding monitoring systems

23
Q

how are coniferous trees adapted to the taiga biome?

A

grow close together to shelter from wind
needles contain very little sap meaning they do not freeze easily and can operate in cold conditions
dark green needles helps them to make the most of the little sunlight by absorbing it
conical shape so heavy snow slides off without breaking them

24
Q

how are white rabbits adapted to the taiga biome?

A

white coat so they can blend in with the white snow
thick coats for insulation
short tails to avoid frostbite
hibernate to allow body temp to fall

25
Q

how much of the earths deforestation occurs in the Canadian taiga forest?

A

one fifth

26
Q

what is the taiga nutrient cycle?

A

plants can only grow in the short summer
litter accumulates because decomposition only happens in summer
soils are thin, low in nutrients and acidic
plants grow very slowly due to low nutrient soil

27
Q

what is the rainforest nutrient cycle?

A

plants grow all year in huge numbers
dead matter drops to the forest floor and decomposes quickly in the warm and wet conditions
fast growing plants take up nutrients very quickly
constant precipitation leaches nutrients down through deep rainforest soil

28
Q

how does acid rain reduce biodiversity in the taiga?

A

acid gets into soils, lakes and ponds killing insects and their eggs so fewer food is available for migrating birds
soil microbes are killed so nutrients cannot enter the soil

29
Q

how are forest fires caused in the taiga?

A

lightening strikes and camp fires

30
Q

how do forest fires reduce biodiversity in the taiga?

A

plants are only adapted to cope with forest fires every 80-100 years but they have become more frequent due to global warming
young species are killed before they can replace the old ones

31
Q

how can forest fires benefit biodiversity in the taiga?

A

the ash left behind is rich in nutrients

32
Q

how do pests and diseases reduce biodiversity in the taiga?

A

fungus and mould species damage conifer needles, trunks and roots
insects eat pine cones, needles and young shoots
bark beetles kill trees
silkworm are kept alive by increasing temps

33
Q

how do national parks protect the taiga?

A

prevent any exploitation of natural resources by conserving the ecosystem, scientific research to find out why the ecosystem is at risk and education to inform visitors why the taiga should be protected

34
Q

what are the challenges of national parks?

A

attracts tourists who damage the ecosystem

migrating species cannot be protected once they leave the area

35
Q

how does sustainable forestry protect the taiga?

A

trees are cut down and replaced with native taiga trees so biodiversity is not damaged and habitats are preserved

36
Q

what are the challenges of sustainable forestry?

A

expensive

only possible for large companies or when international organisations provide funding

37
Q

what are the direct threats to the taiga?

A

the coniferous trees produce softwood timber which is essential for paper production

38
Q

what are the indirect threats to the taiga?

A

mining for minerals and fossil fuels

dams are created for HEP

39
Q

how can sustainable biosphere management cause economic tensions?

A

companies often want to make the most money possible even if it means destroying the environment

40
Q

how does sustainable biosphere management cause social tensions?

A

must not benefit one group at the expense of another

consulting people on an equal basis

41
Q

how does sustainable biosphere management cause environmental tensions?

A

cannot regenerate or continue in the long term

conflict with making money and improving living standards

42
Q

what is productivity?

A

the measure of an ecosystems biomass

Geography (8 decks)

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