Rainforest Climate and Ecosystem

Location and Climate

• Rainforests are located between the tropics.
• The climate is warm all year round, with temperatures between 26 and 29°C.
• Rainforests have a high amount of rainfall: 2145mm annually.

Explanation of the Climate

• Receive intense solar radiation.
• High evaporation of water.
• Hot, moist air rises into the atmosphere, creating a low-pressure area.
• As air rises and cools, it condenses, forming large clouds.
• Rainfall is heavy each month in rainforests.

Rainfall and Temperature Measurements

• Rainfall is measured monthly using discrete data.
• Temperature is recorded using continuous data.
• The altitude is 77m.
• The climate is 27.4°C / 77.3°F.

Rainforest Ecosystem

• Rainforests provide a suitable habitat for plants and animals.
• Rainforests exhibit high biodiversity, with over 50% of the world's species living there, despite covering only 6% of the world's land surface.
• Dense vegetation allows photosynthesis year-round due to the warm, wet climate.
• Evergreen trees grow easily due to suitable temperature.
• Numerous species of animals are able to produce various vegetation layers throughout the year, providing a wide range of habitats.

Climate Charge

• Greenhouse gases trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere.
• Carbon Dioxide and Methane are examples of greenhouse gases.
• Greenhouse gases are produced by burning fossil fuels and agricultural activities.
• Increased greenhouse gases lead to climate change, causing the Earth's temperature to rise.
• Trees act as carbon sinks by taking in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and storing it in the trees and soil.

Soils

• Soil is a mixture of organic materials and minerals.
• Decomposition: the breaking down of dead material by microorganisms.
• Nutrient Cycle: Dead material decomposes > forms soil > nutrients goes into the soil > nutrients return to the soil via trees/plants.
• The removal of soil is Soil erosion.

Causes of Soil Erosion After Deforestation

• Trees protect the ground and intercept rainfall
• Removing trees causes rain to hit the soil directly, leading to increased runoff and erosion.

Causes of Deforestation

• Subsistence Farming: Small areas of forest are cleared and burned; the land is then farmed, allowing for regrowth after 5-10 years.
• Commercial Farming: Trees are farmed to produce a profit.
• Logging: Trees are cut and transported to sawmills
• Mineral Extraction: The removal of solid mineral resources.
• Energy Development: Clear land created for hydroelectric power plants.
• Settlement: Land is cleared to make way for buildings.
• Road Building: Roads are built for settlements, quarries, and farms; more areas of the rainforest become accessible when more roads are introduced.

Impacts of Deforestation

• Loss of biodiversity.
• Soil erosion and flooding
• Climate change increases.
• Income for companies Increases.
• Increased GNI for countries.
• Employment in mines or at HEP dams.
• More tax for governments to spend on literacy rates or healthcare.
• Local people lose their land or access to resources.

Sustainable Management Deforestation

• Something that lasts into the future, that does not damage the environment and supports local people
• National Parks: An area protected by law to look after the natural environment where there's monitoring by park rangers.
• Ecotourism: Tourism which is sustainable, employs local people, uses natural material and small scale.

Big Concepts

• Scale can be local (such as a town or village), it can also be national (such as a country or a global scale).
• Stakeholders can be local people( the entire world) , national governments, conservation groups and large companies.

Explore the climate and ecosystem of rainforests, located in the tropics. Characterized by warm temperatures, high rainfall, and intense solar radiation, these forests support incredible biodiversity. Discover rainfall, temperature measurements, and the significance of dense vegetation.