W+C: Amazon Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the size of the Amazon Rainforest?
5.5 million square kilometers
What percentage of all known species on Earth is found in the Amazon Rainforest?
10%
How much CO₂ does the Amazon absorb annually?
1–2 billion tonnes
What is the estimated amount of carbon stored in the Amazon’s vegetation?
80–120 billion tonnes
What is the net carbon sink capacity of the western Amazon?
0.4 billion tonnes annually
In which part of the Amazon does research show it emits more carbon than it absorbs?
Eastern Amazon
How much carbon does the eastern Amazon emit annually?
0.29 billion tonnes
What are the primary factors contributing to the eastern Amazon becoming a net carbon source?
- Deforestation
- Climate change
What role does decomposition play in carbon release?
Releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane
What percentage of its own rainfall does the Amazon generate through evapotranspiration?
50–75%
What percentage of the world’s freshwater is contained in the Amazon River Basin?
20%
What impact does the Amazon have on regional and global hydrological cycles?
Helps to regulate them
How does water vapor released by the Amazon affect rainfall patterns?
Influences rainfall across South America and beyond
What percentage of the Amazon has been deforested in recent years?
17%
Since when has around 17% of the Amazon been lost?
Since 1970
What is one consequence of forest fires in the Amazon?
Releases massive amounts of CO₂
True or False: The Amazon is currently a net carbon sink.
True
What is a potential future concern regarding the Amazon’s carbon status?
It may become a carbon source due to deforestation and climate change
