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Rain forests - Coggle Diagram
Rain forests
Characteristics of a rainforest
4 Layers
Canopy
Slightly shorter trees, lianas, birds and insects, some mamals.
Under canopy
Reduced sunlight so saplings need to wait for space in order to grow up into the canopy/emergent layer
Emergent layer
Tallest trees (often hardwood) and some Ephyites
Shrub layer
Very dark, little vegetation, liable to flooding. Butress roots found here.
Soil
Rich in iron and aluminium
Very infertile
Also known as LATOSOL soil
The above characteristics are so because the soil is regularly leached due to high levels of precipitation. Any nutrients that do enter the soil (from detritus) are quickly washed out (leached).
This leads to buttress roots which are wide but not deep, as all the nutrients are on the top of the soil
Interdependence
Examples of plants and animals in the rain forest
Plants
Fungi
Epiphytes
Animals
Squirrel Monkey
Jaguar
Deforestation in the Amazon
Rate of deforestation is accelerating, with the number of trees cut down in the Brazilian Amazon in January far exceeding deforestation for the same month last year, according to government satellite data.
Deforestation is occurring mainly towards the edge of the forests and on either sides of roads where it is easier to get to.
Causes of deforestation
Slash and Burn
Cutting down and burning of trees to provide nutrients for the soil
Fine if done properly
Fires can get out of control
Agriculture (Cattle ranching)
80% of deforestation
Cows produce methane
Pasture quickly declines
Agriculture (crops)
10% of deforestation for this
Crops such as tea and coffee are grown
Ecotourism
Responsible tourism aimed at conserving the environment
Creates employment oppertunities
Road building
Loggers and miners build their own roads to transport materials out
Trans Amazonian Highway = 5300km long
Mining
Brazil is the 2nd largest iron ore producer
Settlements develop because of need for workers
Creates scars from open mines
Energy development
Creating hydroelectric dams = eg. the Belo Monte dam
Floods areas behind the dam
Drowned rainforest rots = more CO2 in atmosphere
Logging
For timber which is sold to HIC's especially hardwoods such as mahogany.
Accounts for 3% of deforestation
Heavy machinery compacts soil = more susceptible to erosion
Also leads to logging roads which open up the forest to new settlers
Impacts of deforestation
Global
Global Warming
Loss of Biodiversity
Local
Decline of Indigenous Tribes eg. Kayapo Tribe
Soil Erosion
River Pollution
Local Climate Change
Conflicts (between developers and indigenous people)
Value of tropical Rain forests