Water - Amazon Rainforest Loss Flashcards
1
Q
What % of the Amazon has been lost in the last 50 years?
A
20%
2
Q
Which practices have been the most destructive?
A
Cattle ranching
Biofuel agriculture
Town + road development
Logging (Illegal + legal)
3
Q
How has the Amazons water budget been affected?
A
Reduced evapotranspiration + precipitation
Increasing runoff + discharge
Budget deficit
4
Q
What are the implications for the water cycle?
A
Faster run off
Flooding + mudslides
Aquifer depletion
Increasing soil erosion - Nutrients washed out
5
Q
How does clearance affect water cycling?
A
Rainforests return 75% of intercepted water to atmosphere
Cleared forests return 25%
