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Tropical Rainforest Case study the Peruvian Amazon - Coggle Diagram
Tropical Rainforest Case study
the Peruvian Amazon
Where is the amazon?
the amazon rainforest is spread across several countries in South America
Peru has the second largest portion in Brazil
the tropical rainforest makes up 60% of Peru but only 5% of the population actually live in the region
the rainforest is the third largest rainforest in the world
Characteristics
the tropical biome in Peru is one of the most divers in the world
About 44% of all bird species and 63% of all animals live in the Peruvian Rainforest
It is a fragile ecosystem that involves complex interrelationships and considerable interdependence between abiotic factors such as climate, soils and water and biotic factors such as plants, animals and humans
Humans and Peruvian
Biodiversity - Peru has some 2937 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles - 16% exist in no other country
Timber - there are many highly valued hardwood trees in Peru and logging is widespread
Minerals - there are valuable minerals including oil, natural gas and gold - the exploitation of these resources poses a considerable threat to the rainforest and its people
Hydro-electricity - there are plans to construct fifteen large dams in the Peruvian - primarily to export electricity to supply Brazils giant aluminum and extractive industries
Archaeological - there are many archaeological remains of buildings constructed by ancient civilisations such as Chachapoya - cloud forest people
Indigenous tribes - many traditional tribes live in the Peruvian amazon - some have never been contacted - live a sustainable and simple life deep in the jungle - unfortunately their land is being destroyed by others and their future is threatened.
Medicinal plants - the Peruvian amazon has been described as a 'pharmacy' because of all the medical plants exist - scientists believe that some rainforest plants can help cure diseases such as cancer and aid digestion and even help cure addiction and the possibility of more plants to yet be discovered.
Water cycle
rainforests give off water from their leaves during the process of transpiration
This increases the humidity in the atmosphere and increases rainfall
when rainforests are cut down the climate becomes drier
Carbon Cycle
rainforests take in carbon dioxide from the air as they grow and photosynthesise
with the large leaves the photosynthesis is very effective and trees store a lot of carbon
carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which is partly responsible from climate change and global warming
rainforests have an important role to play in storing carbon and reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere
if trees are burnt then the carbon is released back into the atmosphere enhancing the greenhouse effect
Threats to biodiversity
timber - many valuable hardwood trees in the rainforest in particular the mahogany tree - has resulted in extensive logging - up to 95% is thought to be illegal - the profit is so high that the trees are being felled in protected areas such as national parks - deforestation is a brutal operation that often takes out great swatches of forest - affecting in major biodiversity
energy - there are valuable reserves in oil expoitation in Madre de Dios region - an area that is a home to more than 10% of the worlds bird species and a popular destination for eco-tourists - the extraction of oil can lead to oil leaks and serious pollution of water courses
gold mining - gold is found in alluvial (river) deposits in the Peruvian amazon - this is exploited by huge machines and often involves the blasting of river banks and the removal of rainforest to provide access to remote areas - mercury is used in the operation and is highly toxic - causing considerable harm to aquatic ecosystems and poisoning local tribes who depend upon rivers for food and water
Highways - one of the most significant threats to Peru's rainforests in the southeastern part of the country is the trans-oceanic highway - a road project that will connect pacific ports to a major highway in brazil - in 2015 plans were announced to extend Peru's jungle highway through Manu National Park
Agriculture - increasingly lowland areas are being deforested to create land for farming particularly for growing soybeans and for rearing cattle - fires used to clear land can sometimes burn out of control wiping out valuable habitats and killing animals
Managing Peru's rainforest
since 2000 management plans are required for all forest-related harvesting activities
With so much illegal logging and such a vast area to patrol the police find it difficult - implementation of this law faces huge problems
Indigenous community reserves have been established - giving local communities land ownership and rights over the extraction of materials from their land
Communities have their own sustainable management plans
National parks and national reserves have been established to protect certain areas of high biodiversity