The Living World Flashcards
(16 cards)
How are Buttress Roots adapted to the Rainforest?
Being spread so wide and deep allows them to absorb more nutrients
How are leaves adapted to the Tropical rainforest?
Many leaves in the rainforest have waxy coatings which help the plant to resist the rain. Without it the leaves could absorb too much rain and become so heavy they would be pulled off the tree.
Some leaves have pointed tips which funnel the water off the leaves in a single channel
How are trees adapted to the rainforest?
Having very smooth bark, like having a waxy coating on leaves, helps the rain to run off the tree easily to ensure too much water isnt’ absorbed
How are Lianas adapted to the rainforest?
Lianas and other climbing vines/plants try to compete for sunlight by growing up trees’ trunks to conserve energy and allow them to reach sunlight that they need to photosynthesise and survive
How are plants adapted to the different layers of the rainforest?
In the emergent layer, it is important for trees to be as tall as possible in order to receive the most sunlight.
In the forest floor, plants are more likely to have larger surface area on their leaves to absorb the most sunlight
How are Tamarins and Howler monkeys adapted to the rainforest?
They can avoid predation by only living high in the trees, avoiding predators on the forest floor.
Monkeys have evolved strong limbs and tails to climb and live in trees for their whole lives
How are Flying Squirrels adapted to the Rainforest?
Flying squirrels have evolved ‘wings’ made out of skin which act a bit like a wing suit. They allow the squirrels to glide between trees, avoiding predators on the forest floor
How are Chameleons adapted to the rainforest?
Chameleons can change the colour of their skin to look like whatever is behind them and camouflage to avoid predation
How are sloths adapted to the rainforest?
Sloths are nocturnal meaning they can preserve energy and only move or hunt when temperatures are lower in the rainforest
What are economic impacts of deforestation in the Amazon?
In 2018, Brazil exported $28 billion worth of metals. The mining industry creates jobs, exports and helps increase Brazilian people’s standard of living.
In 2018 Brazil became the largest exporter of beef in the world
Rio Tinto, an iron ore mining company employs 47,000 people globally
What are environmental impacts of deforestation in the Amazon?
Photosynthesis by trees in the Amazon absorbs 5% of the world’s carbon emissions each year (2bn each year)
100 billion tonnes of carbon are stored in the wood of the trees and if completely deforested release all of it
Trees anchor the soil into the ground. Deforestation damages the topsoil and once this happens the fertility of the ground is seriously damaged
How does replanting manage deforestation?
Replanting means planting new trees to replace those that have been felled
Many businesses now try to do this to help people off set their carbon footprint
How do International Hardwood Agreements manage deforestation?
Rich people like having teak or mahogany furniture in their houses.
The 2006 International Tropical Timber Agreements has a hardwood agreement, trying to make any teak or mahogany sold to come from sustainably forested areas
How does economic development and debt forgiveness sustainably manage rainforests?
Lots of nations with rainforests have low per capita incomes. Therefore they are incentivised to do logging and mining as it brings short-financial benefits.
NGO’s like the World Bank and the United Nations could work together to reduce countries’ debts and try to lower the incentive to exploit natural resources
What is selective logging?
Selective logging involves only cutting down a certain species of tree or trees of a certain age
How does selective logging sustainably manage rainforests
Selective logging preserves the structure of the rainforest. This reduces soil erosion as there are still trees in the area, with their roots binding the soil and the leaves protecting the vegetation below. Aswell as this, secondary forest is replanted to preserve biodiversity
