Physical Geography AQA A-LEVEL > Amazon Case Study (C) > Flashcards

Amazon Case Study (C) Flashcards

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1
Q

What role do roots play in rainforests?

A
  • Draw water out of the ground
  • Release water vapor into the atmosphere

This process is crucial for maintaining humidity and weather patterns.

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2
Q

What gas do rainforests take out of the atmosphere and release?

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Oxygen

This process is vital for the global carbon cycle.

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3
Q

How many species of plants and animals rely on rainforests for survival?

A

30 million

This high level of biodiversity is critical for ecosystem health.

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4
Q

How many bacteria can be found in one tablespoon of rainforest soil?

A
  • 10-50 million bacteria

This diversity contributes to soil health and nutrient cycling.

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5
Q

How many fungi can be found in one tablespoon of rainforest soil?

A
  • 400 fungi

This diversity contributes to soil health and nutrient cycling.

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6
Q

What percentage of all medicines originated from rainforests?

A

25%

This highlights the importance of rainforests in pharmaceutical development.

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7
Q

Where is the Amazon Rainforest primarily located?

A
  • Brazil
  • Bolivia
  • Peru
  • Ecuador
  • Colombia
  • Venezuela
  • Guyana
  • Suriname
  • French Guiana

The Amazon spans multiple countries in South America.

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8
Q

What is the total area covered by the Amazon Rainforest?

A

5.5 million km²

This makes it one of the largest rainforests in the world.

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9
Q

How much carbon does the Amazon Rainforest absorb per year?

A

1-3 Gigatonnes

This absorption plays a significant role in mitigating climate change.

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10
Q

What is the average annual rainfall in the Amazon Rainforest?

A

2000+ millimetres

This high rainfall supports its diverse ecosystems.

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11
Q

What is the average temperature in the Amazon Rainforest?

A

27 degrees Celsius

This temperature contributes to the rainforest’s biodiversity.

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12
Q

What percentage of global freshwater does the Amazon River discharge into the sea daily?

A

15%

This highlights the Amazon’s significance in global water systems.

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13
Q

What percentage of the Amazon has been lost since the 1990s?

A

20%

This loss is attributed to urban growth, mineral extraction, and agriculture.

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14
Q

What are some protected areas in the Amazon?

A
  • Jaú National Park
  • Manu National Park

These areas are crucial for preserving biodiversity and combating deforestation.

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15
Q

What does REDD+ stand for?

amazone rainforest

A

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

This initiative aims to combat climate change through forest conservation.

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16
Q

How much has Brazil received from REDD+ initiatives since 2008?

A

Over $1 billion

This funding has been primarily from Norway.

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17
Q

thanks to what initiative has deforestation dropped by 80% between 2004 and 2014

A

REDD+

This demonstrates the effectiveness of the initiative.

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18
Q

Which country has primarily funded the REDD+ initiatives since 2008

for the amazon rainforest

A

Norway

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19
Q

What was the impact of REDD+ on deforestation rates in Brazil?

A

Deforestation dropped by 80% between 2004 and 2014

This demonstrates the effectiveness of the initiative.

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20
Q

What actions did Jair Bolsonaro take regarding environmental policies?

A
  • Stripped enforcement measures
  • Cut spending for environmental agencies
  • Weakened Indigenous land rights

These actions contributed to increased deforestation rates.

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21
Q

What was the increase in deforestation rates during Bolsonaro’s presidency?

A

Nearly 60%

This significant increase was marked by over 13,000 km² of forest lost in 2021.

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22
Q

Who became Brazil’s president on January 1st, 2023?

A

Lula De Silva

He is focused on climate-conscious policies.

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23
Q

What is Lula De Silva’s goal regarding deforestation in the Amazon?

A

Reduce deforestation to 0%

This pledge was made at COP27.

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24
Q

What was the percentage decrease in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon between August 2023 and July 2024?

A

30.6%

This marks the lowest level of deforestation in nine years.

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25
What initiatives did Lula's administration revive?
* IBAMA * Amazon Fund ## Footnote These initiatives support environmental protection and conservation projects.
26
What was the increase in environmental fines issued in 2023 compared to the 2019-2022 average?
167% ## Footnote This reflects enhanced enforcement against illegal deforestation.
27
What new initiatives did Brazil launch to develop an **Amazon bioeconomy**?
* Jaborandi * Cacao * Açaí ## Footnote These products aim to reduce economic dependence on deforestation.
28
What controversial infrastructure project did Lula approve?
Construction of BR-316 highway ## Footnote This project raised concerns about environmental impacts and deforestation.
29
What is the challenge in sustainable development in the Amazon?
Unclear land ownership affects over 100 million hectares ## Footnote This complicates conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
30
What are the **human impacts** on the **water cycle**?
* Urbanization * Deforestation * Agriculture * Industrial activities ## Footnote These activities can alter natural water flow and quality.
31
How does **urbanization** affect the **water cycle**?
* Increased runoff * Reduced infiltration * Altered evaporation rates ## Footnote Urban surfaces like concrete prevent water from soaking into the ground.
32
What is the impact of **deforestation** on the **water cycle**?
* Reduced transpiration * Increased runoff * Altered precipitation patterns ## Footnote Trees play a crucial role in maintaining moisture levels in the atmosphere.
33
Fill in the blank: **Agriculture** can lead to changes in the water cycle through _______.
irrigation practices ## Footnote Irrigation can deplete local water sources and alter natural water distribution.
34
What are the **human impacts** on the **carbon cycle**?
* Fossil fuel combustion * Deforestation * Industrial emissions * Agriculture ## Footnote These activities increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
35
How does **fossil fuel combustion** affect the **carbon cycle**?
* Increases atmospheric CO2 * Contributes to climate change ## Footnote Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
36
What is the effect of **deforestation** on the **carbon cycle**?
* Decreases carbon storage * Increases atmospheric CO2 ## Footnote Trees absorb CO2; their removal releases it back into the atmosphere.
37
True or false: **Industrial emissions** have no significant effect on the **carbon cycle**.
FALSE ## Footnote Industrial activities release large amounts of greenhouse gases, impacting the carbon cycle.
38
Fill in the blank: **Agriculture** contributes to the carbon cycle through _______. ## Footnote Think animals
livestock emissions ## Footnote Livestock produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, affecting the carbon cycle.
39
Average temperature on pasture land compared to forests?
Pasture = 33°C Forests = 24°C ## Footnote Significantly more solar radiation absorbed. Lower temperatures (that are still high enough) foster better plant growth
40
How many kg/m² of carbon do rainforests store in the top 50cm
4 to 9 kg/m² ## Footnote Compared to pasture which only store 1 kg/m²
41
How much more carbon do rainforest soils store in the top 50 cm compared to pasture land?
up to 8 kg/m² more
42
How much carbon is lost to the atmsophere when forests are cleared and burned ## Footnote 'slash and burn'
30-60%
43
How much carbon do tropical forests typically absorb?
2.2 kgC/m² ## Footnote Grassland - 0.52 kgC/m²
44
What is the projected increase in temperatures in the Amazon by 2050?
2-3 °C
45
What damage can be seen in the amazon if there is a 2°C rise in temperatures?
20-40% of the amazon would die off withing 100 years
46
What damage can be seen if there is a 3°C temperature increase in the amazon
75% of amazon will die off
47
What damage would we see inthe next 100 years if there is a 4°C temperature increase in the amazon?
85% of amazon would die off
48
What impact does less plants mean for the rainfall?
Fewer salts and organic fibes emitted through transpiration ⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄ Less condensation nuclei ⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄⌄ inhibts formation of clouds therfore reduced rainfall
49
WHy do areas down-wind of deforested regions recieve half of the rainfall of the rainfall areas without deforested areas recieve
Transpiration from forest areas creates cloud formations. if an area is deforested this will not take place at the same rate therefore less rainfall
50
How much more humid are rainforests compared to pasture land?
20-30%
51
How much more rianfall do rainforests recieve compared to pasture lands?
5-20% ## Footnote if raifnroests are replaced with pasture land this rainfall could disapear
52
With future deforestation waht is the potential decline in rainfall?
20%
53
Why do deforested areas not produce rainfall?
the limited moisture that does evapourate only forms small cumulous clouds. Culunonimbus clouds form the rainfall
54
How much less water cna be held in deforested soil?
15% ## Footnote leads to faster rates of run-off and silting of rivers and lakes
55
What is the **Soy Moratorium** and when was it established?
Prohibited the purchase of soy grown on deforested land in the Amazon, established in 2006 ## Footnote Aimed to reduce deforestation linked to agriculture.
56
What does the **Beef Moratorium** restrict?
Restricted the purchase of beef from farms involved in illegal deforestation in the Amazon, established in 2009 ## Footnote Aimed to combat illegal deforestation practices.
57
What was the role of **industry collaboration** in the Soy and Beef Moratoriums?
Involved agreements between environmental groups, government, and key industries like Cargill and JBS ## Footnote Created a market incentive for sustainable farming.
58
What was the **positive impact** of the Soy and Beef Moratoriums?
Led to a 66% reduction in deforestation linked to soy and beef production in the Amazon between 2004 and 2014 ## Footnote Demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative environmental policies.
59
Define **moratorium**.
A ban ## Footnote Used in the context of prohibiting certain agricultural practices.
60
What is the largest driver of **deforestation** in the Amazon?
Cattle Ranching ## Footnote Responsible for a vast majority of the forest loss to create pastureland for cattle.
61
What agricultural practice drives further land clearing in the Amazon?
Agricultural Expansion ## Footnote Large-scale farming, particularly soy production for animal feed, is a significant factor.
62
What type of **logging** contributes to Amazon destruction?
Unauthorised or illegal logging ## Footnote This includes logging for valuable timber, such as mahogany, which destroys forests.
63
What mining activities cause significant clearing in the Amazon?
Mining ## Footnote Expansion of legal and illegal mining operations for iron ore, copper, tin, and gold.
64
How does **infrastructure** contribute to Amazon deforestation?
Construction of roads ## Footnote Roads like the Trans-Amazonian Highway make remote areas accessible for developers, miners, and farmers.
65
What method is often used to clear land for agriculture in the Amazon?
Fires ## Footnote These fires are frequently illegal and can escape control, devastating nearby forested areas.
66
What role does **land speculation** play in Amazon destruction?
Illegal seizure and clearing of land ## Footnote Often aided by weak environmental law enforcement, contributing significantly to destruction.
Physical Geography AQA A-LEVEL
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