3.5 Tropical rainforest ecosystems provide a range of goods and services some of which are under threat a. Examples of goods and services provided by tropical rainforest ecosystems (food stuffs, medicines, timber and recreation). b. How climate change presents a threat to the structure, functioning and biodiversity of tropical rainforests. c. Economic and social causes of deforestation (conversion to agriculture, resource extraction, population pressure). (5) d. Political and economic factors (governance, commodity value and ecotourism) that have contributed to the sustainable management of a rainforest in a named region

Be ready to share your answers with the class Draw a table to show the goods and services that you think the rainforest provides Be ready to share your answers with the class Goods are products that are provided by biomes (they can be touched) Services are jobs that are done by biomes (cannot be touched)

What is happening to the amount of rainforest being destroyed? Why?

Read the statements below. 1 Read the statements below. 1. Select five which explain why the Rainforest is important 2. Select five which explain the extent to which loss is occurring 3. Homework add at least five facts including data about the future of rainforests Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they only cover 6%. Experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened due to rainforest deforestation. One and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second. Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. There were an estimated ten million Indians living in the Amazonian Rainforest five centuries ago. Today there are less than 200,000. The rate of loss varies between the countries within the Amazon.

How does this relate to economic development? Write down at least five reasons why the rainforest is being destroyed. How does this relate to economic development? www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIA0lqfcN4&safe=active Time lapse of deforestation.

Reasons why the rainforest is being destroyed Timber – especially hardwood species such as Teak and Mahogany. Mining – Open-cast mining for a range of minerals. E.g the Iron Ore mine at Carajas, Brazil Agriculture – Land was cleared to create pasture for cattle Urbanisation – the clearance of forest to allow for the expansion of old towns and the creation of new ones.

Why is this happening? Commercial clearances for timber – particularly for hardwood furniture such as mahogany. Hydroelectric dams have been built along the river to use for electricity. This has flooded large parts of the forest.

Roads such as the Trans-Amazon Highway have been built. Why is this happening? Roads such as the Trans-Amazon Highway have been built.

Since growing soya, deforestation has increased by 40%. The main reason: Commercial agriculture: The reason for the growth is global demand. Farmers in Europe are now using soya to feed their animals (it is safe and healthy). Because the world eats more meat now (especially with the rise of superpowers like China), there is an ever growing number of cattle that will need to be fed… Half of all rainforest clearance since 2005 took place in a state where soya is grown. Soya beans! Since growing soya, deforestation has increased by 40%.

On the outskirts of the city of Manaus (Brazil), rainforest is being cleared every day to make way for shanty towns. This is because more people are moving to the city as the population of the country increases.

In the Pantanal region of Brazil, the Pacu fish is in serious decline because of over fishing (for food and sport). This is bad for the forest as the fish spreads the seeds of the trees.

In recent years drought has become more common in the Amazon rainforest. This is caused by changing weather patterns which are caused by climate change. The impact on the biodiversity is severe.

Rainforest amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental change Rainforest amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental change. Frogs are declining rapidly – before many other species because they rely on warm, wet climates.

Include at least 4 key facts in each answer! TASK 1: Number each statement to show which question it would help to answer. 1.Why is the rainforest being destroyed? 2. What effects is destroying the rainforest having on the environment? 3. What problems have destroying the rainforests had for people living in them? 4. What has been done to try and protect the rainforest? Include at least 4 key facts in each answer! Task 2: Answer each question including at least 4 key facts in your answer. Extension: Write a 2 min news summary explaining how deforestation is affecting the Amazon and local people

Threats to the rainforest Threats to the Biosphere Social Impacts (people) Economic Impacts (money) Environmental Impacts (natural environment) Deforestation Conversion of farmland or urban use Over harvesting / over fishing Mining and energy Pollution Introduction of non-native (animal & plant)species Tourism and recreation COMPLETE THE TABLE

Tourism in the Amazon Rainforest Ecotourism defined by the Nature Conservancy is, “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest is still in its infancy, especially in the northern Amazon, and to significantly benefit the people and wildlife it requires growth. However, tourism is still beneficial at key ports along the Amazon River. Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest can be very profitable, as one Amazon-ecotour-cluster demonstrated by generating US$11.6 million in 2005. In the Napo region in Ecuador, ecotourism was beneficial in easily accessed areas. At two particular points, the Napo River and the town of Pto. Misahualii, tourists venturing on Amazon Jungle tours numbered 10, 000 each year. Ecotourism injects foreign revenue into developing countries while keeping the area’s biodiversity intact. Furthermore, if people from prosperous nations visit these areas, they see these fragile cradles of life and spread the word to friends and family. Because tourism is growing close to biodiversity hotspots, we should aim to increase the amount of land open to ecotourism. Too many tourists in one area would threaten biodiversity in a non-sustainable way. And as there is a rapid increase in nature travel, ecotourism should be the main focal point in equatorial rainforests as they contain more plants and animals than anywhere else on Earth.

Tourism in the Amazon Rainforest

Here are some threats to the tropical rainforest: Commercial Logging Mining Commercial Agriculture Cattle Ranching Subsistence farming

Since 1980, almost 800 species have become extinct. Species under threat… We still don’t know how many species inhabit the Earth. Estimates range from 2 million to 80 million. So far 1.4 million have been identified… Currently over 16,000 species of animal and plant are in danger or extinction. Since 1980, almost 800 species have become extinct. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory?direction=desc&sort=extinction_status

Now let’s have a go at some exam questions

For a named biome, describe one way it has been damaged by human activity. (2)

Using examples, describe how the biosphere provides people with a range of goods and services. (4)

1. Describe the biosphere’s role in: a) maintaining soil health b) regulating the composition of the atmosphere. (4)