Tropical Rainforest

Global Distribution:

You can find a list of Major Cities with a Tropical Rain-forest Climate on this Wikipedia website.

The Characteristics of the Rainforest:

1) The Climate:

Exam Style Questions.

• Describe the processes which lead to a high annual rainfall in the tropical rainforest. (3 marks)

• Describe and explain the distribution of Tropical Rainforests around the world. (7 marks)

• For a named area of tropical rainforest which you have studied, describe and explain the characteristics of its climate. (7 marks)

2) The Structure of the Rainforest:

Exam Style Question:

Describe the structure of the tropical rainforest. (4 marks)

3) Adaptations:

Tropical rainforests contain the greatest biodiversity in the world. Tropical rainforests support the greatest diversity of living organisms on Earth.

Task:

In order to survive in the Rainforest the flora and fauna has to adapt to the climate. High temperatures and rainfall, a lack of light below the canopy and the presence of so many other living organisms make surviving the rainforest a challenge. Use the information on this website to find examples of both flora and fauna that live in the rainforest and describe how they have adapted to the rainforest environment. Make sure you have at least 2 of each and focus on adaptations to the rainforest climate.

Exam Style Questions:

How do the characteristics of the tropical rainforest relate to the climate (5 marks)

Watch: The Living Planet, Jungle

In 1984 David Attenborough presented a BBC documentary about the worlds tropical rainforests . Whilst it does not have the HD quality and amazing camera work of more recent documentaries, the content of this documentary is excellent. make sure you watch it.

The Living Planet 04 of 12 Jungle by kaanozten

Food Web

• Explain why the tropical rainforest has a wide variety of plants, insects and animals. (4marks)

Exploitation of the Rainforest:

Can you live without the Rainforest? Follow the link to find out about the things you use every day that are leading to the destruction of the rainforest.

Deforestation:

Why are the Forests being destroyed?

1) Resource Extraction:

Yasuni national park: ‘We want to give it as a gift for humanity’

$350m to leave oil in the ground
Country asks developed world to pay it not to pump – and avoid further pollution of the Amazon rainforest

Agriculture:

Palm oil and deforestation

“Palm oil is a small ingredient in the U.S. diet, but more than half of all packaged products Americans consume contain palm oil—it’s found in lipstick, soaps, detergents and even ice cream.” WWF

Clearing land for oil palm plantations has led to widespread deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia as well as other regions.

In the Amazon, around 17% of the forest has been lost in the last 50 years, mostly due to forest conversion for cattle ranching.

Urban and Economic Growth:

Brazil’s Amazon boom pits economic growth versus forest:

Manaus encapsulates the conundrum facing developing countries, how do you provide jobs and growth to eradicate poverty, without destroying the environment?

Paper Production:

Useful Links:

This is good summary on all aspects of the rain-forest.

Exam Questions:

• Suggest three reasons why large scale deforestation of the tropical rainforest is taking place.

(3 marks)

• Explain why the tropical rainforest is important globally. (5 marks)

• Describe the impacts of deforestation on the natural environment of the tropical rainforest. (5 marks)

• Many areas of natural vegetation are at risk from deforestation. Name an area of tropical rainforest which you have studied and explain the causes and effects of deforestation. (7 marks)