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