Location
South America, 68% is in Brazil
Size
8.2 million km2
Rainfall
3000mm annually
Average temperature
28 degrees
Evaporation
25% of all rain is evaporated, impacting rainfall worldwide
River discharge
175,000 cumecs of fresh water to the sea per second
Biomass store
20% of the worlds biomass
Deforestation
Leads to poor soil quality and increased erosional rates, burning releases CO2. Albedo levels change which reduces precipitation and humidity
Habitat loss
17% reduction in size since the 1960’s, 80% of this is due to cattle ranching
Carbon store
A large carbon store as a result of plants. Crops planted in destroyed areas may absorb some carbon