Tropical Rain Forests

Opportunties and Problems associated with their development

Nekaisha Legerton

WHAT IS A TROPICAL RAIN FOREST?

A tropical rainforest is an ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator (in the equatorial zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn). This ecosystem experiences high average temperatures and a significant amount of rainfall

STRUCTURE AND VEGETATION OF THE RAIN FOREST

PROBLEMS FACED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TROPICAL RAIN FOREST ARE :

DeforestationSlash and burn agricultureFarming LoggingHousing development

OUTLINE

• Deforestation is a major environmental problem today which can have devastating effects on the human population e.g flooding.

• Slash and burn agriculture can also have negative effects as it takes away the nutrients from the soil leaving it loose and open to erosion.

• Farming e.g in brazil The government has cleared large areas of the Amazon Rainforest and encouraged people to move there. The scheme has not been successful. Farmers stay on the same land and attempt to farm it year after year. Nutrients in the soil are quickly exhausted as there is no longer a humus layer to provide nutrients. The soil becomes infertile and nothing will grow.

OUTLINE

• Logging causes major problems as it removes some of the most important trees in the forest.

• Housing developments also cause serious problems as forest cover is removed leaving way for problems such as ;erosion and loss of aesthetic beauty.

PICTURES OF THE MANY PROBLEMS FACED

OPPORTUNITIES FACED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TROPICAL RAIN FOREST ARE :

Boosted tourism sectorPlants used as medicinal valueLongevity of species i.e. animals Reduced impact of erosion and loss soil

fertilityLessens some effect of climate change

OUTLINE

• Boosted tourism sector-this also allows more revenue to go into the protection of the habitat. It can be contribute directly to the conservation of sensitive areas and habitat. Revenue from park-entrance fees and similar sources can be utilized to pay for the protection and management of environmentally sensitive areas. Revenue from taxation and tourism provides

an additional incentive for governments.• Plants used as medicinal value- Most plants found in the

rainforest are known for major treatment such as cancer, arthritis etc . The development of these forests protect these species for later use. It is also seen as an incentives to scientist to make new discoveries.

OUTLINE

• Longevity of species - Rainforests are home to a large number of the world's plant and animals species, including many endangered species. As forests are cut down, many species are doomed to extinction. Some rainforest species can only survive in their natural habitat. Zoos cannot save all animals.

• Reduced impact of erosion and loss of fertility-When trees are cut down there is no longer anything to protect the ground and soils are quickly washed away with rain. When soil is washed down into rivers it causes problems for fish and people. Fish suffer because water becomes clouded, while people have trouble navigating waterways that are shallower because of the increased amount of dirt in the water.

OUTLINE

• Lessen effects of climate change-Rainforests help stabilize the world's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is believed as a major contributor to climate Rainforests also affect local weather conditions by creating rainfall and moderating temperatures.

PICTURES OF THE OPPORTUNITIES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_rainforesthttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081018221526AAlDLnC