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How many species are there in the coral reef
164
What are the 3 main threats to coral reefs
Overfishing, pollution, climate change
What are the 4 main importances of the anodros barrier reef
Scientific research, tourism, fishing, costal protection
4 main threats to rain forest
Logging, mining, agriculture, infrastructure/roads
4 main importances of the rainforest
Archeology, indigenous tribes, medical plants, biodiversity
How many species in the rainforest
Almost 3000 known species
How can the rainforest be managed sustainably
Reserves have been created to protect indigenous tribes and give them their land rights over mineral extractions and the use of their land
Since 2000, rainforest harvesting activities such as logging require a management plan in line with guidelines from the forest stewardship council. However, the vast area involved makes policies harder implement.
National parks and national reserves have been created to protect ecologically valuable areas.
In south east Peru the Purus – Manu conservation corridor, compromises national parks and several reserves for indigenous tribes, with an area of 10,000,000 hectors. It’s the largest protected area in the Peruvian rainforest. In 2015 a sustainable management plan was drawn up the area to restrict economic development, conserve habitats and provide protection for the indigenous tribes.
How does agriculture affect the rainforest
Loland areas are being cleared to make way for ranching and the cultivation of commercial crops such as soybean. Fibres used to clear land may burn out of control and can lead to widespread habitat deconstruction.
How can roads affect the rainforest
The trans-oceanic highway is a major development plan to connect a major Brazilian highway to the Pacific ports in Peru. This could lead to significant rainforest destruction and may have worsen the illegal felling of trees for timber. Other routes are also planned to develop highways through the rainforest.
The importance of the rainforest
Biodiversity - The rainforest has a huge range of biodiversity almost 3000 species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles
Medical plants – rainforest plants and important in helping to treat diseases such as cancer
Indigenous tribes – many traditional tribes living remote parts of the rainforest, living simple but sustainable lives; Outside influences can lead to health issues in social breakdown of these close knit societies
Archaeology – remains of ancient civilisation such as chachapoya the so-called cloud forest people exist within the rainforest
How is the android barrier reef under threat from human activities
Over fishing – intensive fishing can deplete the fish stocks and cause an imbalance in the ecosystem. Trawling net, anchors and outboard motors can cause physical damage to delicate coral organisms. The commercial harvesting of sponges from the Andros reef can affect the ecosystem balance.
Pollution – the Andros barrier reef is under a threat from agriculture chemicals and silk discharge from rivers as it can reduce sunlight penetration and inhabit coal feeding. Oil and chemical discharges from ships also cause harm to coral and the fish.
Climate change – high water temperatures associated with climate change triggers a stress reaction in coral that results expulsion of zooxanthellae and ‘bleaching’ of the coral. This has a huge impact on the coral nutrient cycle and eventually the coral dies. Andros barrier reef, bleaching is expected to be an issue from 2040 according to the climate change models.
