the living world (tropical rainforests)
Tropical rainforest ecosystem
value of rainforests
causes and impacts of deforestation
Rainforests cover 6% of the planet
its found anywhere between 15 north and 15 south of the equator
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the Amazon is the largest remaining rainforest
location Within the Tropics 23.5 north and south of the
equator
Tropical rainforests contain the highest biodiversity
of plants and animals on Earth
avarge temp is 26-28*
Many of the soils in the rainforest are latosols
Due to leaching and rapid uptake of nutrients
structure
Structureofthe tropical rainforest
Thetropicalrainforest has fivedistinctlayers
Groundlayer(0m)
Shrublayer(3-4m)
Undercanopy (15m)
Canopy (30m)
Emergents (45-55m)
6 main causes
wildfires
agriculture
mining
logging
roadbuilding
hydropower
imopacts
reduces biodiversity
increases leaching
fewer trees increasing co2
soil becomes less ferticle
loss of potential medicines
loss of indigeneous communities
goods
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Buildingmaterials
Existingfoodcrops
Wildmeat andfish
Water
Medicines
Energy
services
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Nutrientrecycling
Gas exchange
Watercycle
Climateregulation
Soilquality
Diseaseandpestcontrol
Leisureandrecreation
Cultural heritage
value to people
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Sugar
Nuts
Rubber
Perfumes
Bananas
value to environment
Value tothe environment
Thetropicalrainforestis an important sourceoffreshwater - about20%oftheworld's
freshwater
Over50%oftheworld's plants andanimals arefoundin thetropicalrainforests
As a carbon sink therainforests arevital in controllingtheamountofCO in theatmosphere
solimitingglobalwarming
Thetreeandplantroots helptoholdthesoiltogether andsheltertheground. This reduces
soilerosion