rainforest

Amazon rainforest size:

Largest rainforest on earth

8 million km²

Deforestation:

2001-2012 - 18 million hectares of forest was lost- rates have been increasing since

Estimated that 40% will be cut down by 2050

Why is there deforestation?

• cattle ranching - 200 million cows in Brazil

• Soy, rice, corn and sugar are farmed

• subsidence farmers cut down forest to grow food.

• population growth

• mineral extraction of gold and iron.

Economic impacts of deforestation:

In 2018, £600 million of beef made.

2cnd largest exploiter of soy beans

Creates jobs

Can detract tourists

Environmental impacts of deforestation:

• amazon stores 140 billion tonnes of carbon.

• up to 75% of brazils CO2 emissions comes from deforestation.

• Soil erosion: 1. loses 100 hectares of top soil per hectare each year, flooding and landslides in the future. 2. less trees= more nutrients washed away

• As a result farmers have to move, causing more deforestation.

selective logging

• only some trees are cut down

• allows overall forest structure to be kep, allowing forest to regenerate, as canopy remains and soil isn’t exposed.

• usually old trees

ecotourism:

• only a certain amount of people are allowed to visit the area at a certain time

• rules are imposed. e.g- litter is to be disposed of properly

• income for local people

• education on importance of conservation

• more people work in tourism= less working in farming, so less deforestation.

Plant adaptations:

Need to be adapted to get rainfall and sunlight

• buttress roots help trees grow taller as they are more stable, taller trees=more sunlight.

• Waxy leaves and drip tips- water isn’t too heavy and cannot damage plant, soil can absorb it all.

Animal adaptations:

• anteaters- sharp sense of smell to detect prey as there is little light on forest floor.

• sloths feed at night, when its cooler to save more energy.