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19 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Climate |
Located at the equator - sun overhead most of the year Receives a lot of the sun's energy, keeping temps high As the sun is overhead heating the surface there is a lot of evaporation This causes a lot of convectional rainfall Rainfall almost daily Hot air rising so low pressure |
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Various layers |
EMERGENTS -highest point -all the large tree's branches spread out and the leaves absorb the sunlight -trees EMERGE CANOPY -Forms a closed roof on the forest floor because the trees are so dense -richest in wildlife (monkeys, sloths) UNDERSTORY -saplings, tall shrubs, vines and palms -leave ends are called drip tips -dark, hot and humid LEAF LITTER ZONE -Plant growth is limited -Very little sunlight Decaying animal and plant matter feeds fungi |
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Farming system:shifting cultivation |
Traditional form of agriculture in many areas of the tropical rainforest
Known as slash and burn When practising shifting cultivation a farmer cuts down a small portion of the forest (4-5 acres) using land knives of machetes, burns it to release nutrients and then sows and harvests crops Subsistence type of agriculture where people only grow enough for themselves Polyculture is where many types of crop are grown Monoculture is where only one crop is grown |
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Shifting cultivation - how it works |
Mixture of crops is grown in the clearing from the most to least demanding. These include Yucca, peppers, tobacco, cocoa beans, pumpkins and Manioc |
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Manioc |
Known as 'the bread of the tropics' It can grow in depleted soils It is ground into a flour known as CASSAVA Can also be fermented to sugar and beer Prassic acid in it makes it poisonous Used on the tip of 'blow darts' to hunt animals in the forest such as monkey |
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Fallowing |
After the patch or 'Chagra' has been cleared, the soil loses its fertility and crop yields fall rapidly Heavy rainfall results in rapid leaching of exposed soil Fertilisers are not used apart from human and animal manure so the natural fertility of the soil is recovered by FALLOWING : leaving the soil to regenerate naturally while crops are not grown for 7-35 years The locals live in big families in houses called MALOCAS |
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Population Density |
Being destroyed so quickly that tribes cannot leave their land fallow for long enough. Results in more frequent farming on the same land. Development of the Amazon has led to an increase in population from 2 million in 1960 to 30 million today |
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Men and women's roles |
Women grow virtually all of the tribe's carbohydrate needs. Yams, beans and pumpkins Men supplement the diet by hunting, mainly for tapirs and monkeys, fishing and collecting fruit Blowpipe and bow and arrow |
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Problems with shifting cultivation |
Balance between the soils is very delicate. Once trees have been removed heavy rains can hit the bare soils Soil erosion Leaches minerals downwards Trees being the source of humus has been removed and there is a lack of fertiliser and animal manure, the soil rapidly loses its fertility High labour input and large areas of land to provide enough food for a few people |
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Causes of deforestation - Logging |
large areas cleared by logging companies It is a good income earner so it is exported abroad. Burning the trees creates charcoal which can be used in industry |
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Causes of deforestation - Cattle ranching |
Large areas of the forest have been bought by multinational companies such as McDonalds. These companies burn down the forest and replace the trees with grass The beef from the cattle goes to the fast food industries in the US and Europe |
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Causes of deforestation - Hydro-electric power stations |
The Amazon river provides an unlimited water supply. HEP is cheap and plentiful for industry, transport and domestic use There are over 40 dams on the Amazon (Xingo Dam) Each has flooded large areas of forest with the loss of land, animal habitats and indigenous tribe's homes |
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Causes of deforestation - Mining |
Huge mineral deposits of iron ore, gold, copper and bauxite have been discovered. Mining companies have felled trees and built roads through the rainforest to reach these deposits |
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Causes of deforestation - Population increase |
As Brazil's population increases more settlement is required such as Maraba and Carajas. The forest is cleared for these settlements and for more farmland to increase food production |
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Effects of deforestation - People |
Tribal people have to leave their homes Loss of traditional way of life Danger of injury to people in areas of conflict Traditional cultures and customs are lost as tribal people are moved to permanent reservations Forest burning can create air pollution which contributes to global warming as carbon dioxide levels increase Indigenous people could fall ill from diseases brought in by tree fellers which could lead to death Loss of rare plants could jeopardise future cures for diseases. Treatments for leukaemia have been found in the rainforest Indigenous people may be forced out of the rainforest completely into an unfamiliar culture |
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Effects of deforestation - Environment |
Increase in soil erosion as more soil exposed to heavy rain Mineral extraction require large areas of the forest to be cleared Animal and plant habitats are lost which can damage the fragile ecosystem of the rainforest Large scale clearances reduce transpiration and climate may become drier causing more droughts |
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Effects of deforestation - Economy |
Loss of resources such as hardwood timber, rare plants, animals, birds and insects Country may lose tourist revenue as tourists are put off visiting |
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Exam Q (describe) Preventing Deforestation |
Pressure from organisations and people to change the opinions of loggers and the government. Friends of the Earth could persuade people to boycott buying rainforest products meaning that the companies using the rainforest no longer make sufficient money and need to make changes. World Bank may refuse funding for the development in rainforest areas. Many industries or developments require funding to get started, without the funding the would not be able to work. Greenpeace could act as pressure groups which try to influence government decisions. World Wide Fund for nature takes an active role in encouraging public support for protection of forested areas through campaigns. |
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Exam Q (describe) Reducing Deforestation |
Selective felling means trees which have matured are cut down, meaning rather than the whole area being cut down only single trees are felled so younger trees can survive to maturity In areas where clear felling has taken place afforestation helps to replace trees which have been cut down Crops could be grown amongst forested areas to prevent soil erosion through clear felling (agroforestry) Reservations can be created which protect forest areas. Tree felling is banned in these areas. Seen as negative to many indigenous people but provide a safe place away from deforestation. In Malaysia and South East Asia National Parks have been created Fines can be placed on loggers who fell trees in these areas. Provide more education to people making them aware of the consequences of clear felling whole swathes of rainforest |
