rainforest

Where are all rainforest close to

The Equator

How much rainfall is their in a rainforest per year

2000 mm

Atmosphere of a rainforest

Hot and humid

What are there none of in rainforest

Seasons

What is soil like in rainforest

Infertile

Where is fertile soil found in a rainforest

Around the surface where dead leaves decompose

The nutrient cycle is

Fast

Why is the nutrient cycle fast

Humid conditions (leaves decompose quickly) and heavy rainfall (rain washes away)

What is the bottom layer of the rainforest

Shrub layer

What is the second layer of the rainforest

Under canopy

What is the third layer of the rainforest

Canopy

What is the top layer of the rainforest

Emergent layer

Lianas

these are woody vines that have roots in the ground but climb up the trees to reach the sunlight. Their leaves and flowers grow in the canopy.

Drip tips

plants have leaves with pointy tips. This allows water to run off the leaves quickly without damaging or breaking the leaves.

Buttress roots.

large roots have ridges which create a large surface area that helps to support large trees

Epiphytes

these are plants which live on the branches of trees high up in the canopy. They get their nutrients from the air and water, not from the soil.

Sloth

Uses camouflage and moves very slowly to make it difficult for predators to spot

Spider monkey

has long, strong limbs and prehensile tail to help it to climb through the rainforest trees

4 reasons the rainforest is imporatant

Medicine, carbon sink, high amounts of biodiversity, home to indigenous tribes

Name 5 causes of deforestation in the Amazon

Cattle ranching, plam oil plantations, roads, mining, population growth

3 environmental impact of deforestation

Increase rate of climate change, soil erosion, reduces biodiversity

3 economic impacts of deforestation

Produces goods for Brazil to trade, provides job, Brazil can pay of debt

Sustainabllity

Getting what we need from the planet without damaging the environment and leaving enough resources for future generations

Debt reduction

Countries are relieved of some of their debt in return for protecting their rainforests.

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and may involve education. It is usually carried out in small groups and has minimal impact on the local ecosystem.

Selective logging

The cutting out of trees that are mature or inferior to encourage the growth of the remaining trees in a forest or wood.

Replanting

ensures that for every tree logged another is planted.

Education

Promoting the value and benefits of biodiversity associated with tropical rainforests to local people.

International agreements

agreements to protect tropical rainforests have been made between different countries through debt-for-nature swaps or limits on the amount of hardwoods that can be traded.