The Amazon Rainforest Case Study: Water And Carbon

Question 1

Where is the amazon rainforest located?

Answer 1

Northern South America

Question 2

What is the Amazon rainforest’s climate

Answer 2

Hot, wet with dense vegetation. With temperatures averaging around 28 degrees

Question 3

In the water cycle what are the flows in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 3

-Drip flow
-Stem flow

Question 4

In the water cycle what are the outputs in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 4

-Evapotranspiration
-Evapotranspiration from soil

Question 5

In the water cycle what is the input in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 5

-Precipitation

Question 6

The Carbon cycle in the Amazon?

Answer 6

-Lots of Carbon stored in vegetation and soil, making it a carbon sink.
-Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases productivity in the amazon, this increases the rate of photosynthesis which increases biomass. Therefore, increasing the amount of carbon sequestered.

Question 7

In the carbon cycle what are the main stores in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 7

-Biosphere (Vegetation and animals)
-Soils
-Atmosphere
-Hydrosphere (rivers and water bodies)
-Lithosphere (Rocks)

Question 8

In the carbon cycle what are the main flows in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 8

-Photosynthesis
-Decomposition
-Respiration
-Sequestration

Question 9

In the carbon cycle what are the main outputs in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 9

-Respiration
-Decomposition
-Combustion
-Soil respiration

Question 10

In the carbon cycle, what are the main inputs into the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 10

-Photosynthesis
-Rainfall
-Organic matter
-Animal waste

Question 11

Effect of deforestation to the water cycle in the Amazon?

Answer 11

-Less interception, increased soil erosion and soil saturation, increased runoff meaning increased risk of flooding.
-Decreased rates of evapotranspiration, less rainfall and soil saturation an increased risk of drought to nearby areas.

Question 12

Effect of deforestation to the carbon cycle in the Amazon?

Answer 12

-Reduced Carbon sequestration: fewer trees = less photosynthesis.
-Loss of soil carbon: without tree roots to anchor and protect it, soil is eroded more easily.
-Positive feedback loop: less forest=more CO2=higher temperatures=more droughts and wildfires= even more forest loss.

Question 13

What is the effect of climate change to the amazon rainforest?

Answer 13

-Increased drought frequency and intensity.
-Reduced evapotranspiration
-Shift from carbon sink to carbon source
-Enhanced carbon emissions from wildfires
-Positive feedback loops

Question 14

What is the positive effect of selective logging on the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 14

Few trees from each area will maintain forest structure, soil isn’t exposed, allows regeneration, only a small impact to the water and carbon cycle.