Tropical Rainforests: Case Study Amazon rainforest, Brazil Hot Desert: Case Study Thar Desert – India/Pakistan

Brazil is a NEE country in South America. 60 is a tropical rainforest with 18% of it not being interfered with. The Thar Desert is located on the border between India and Pakistan in Southern Asia. With India soon becoming the However , Brazil has experienced fast rates of deforestation compared to some parts of the world most populated country in the world in the next five years. With this, more people will plan to live in the desert.

Adaptations to the rainforest Rainforest inhabitants Distribution of the world’s hot deserts Major characteristics of hot deserts

Sloths Large arms to swing & support in the tree canopy. Many tribes have developed sustainable ways of Most of the world’s hot deserts are found • Aridity – hot deserts are extremely dry, survival. The rainforest provides inhabitants with… in the subtropics between 20 degrees and with annual rainfall below 250 mm. Drip Tips Allows heavy rain to run off leaves easily. • Food through hunting and gathering. 30 degrees north & south of the Equator. • Heat – hot deserts rise over 40 degrees. • Natural medicines from forest plants. The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn run • Landscapes – Some places have dunes, Lianas & Vines Climbs trees to reach sunlight at canopy. • Homes and boats from forest wood. through most of the worlds major deserts. but most are rocky with thorny bushes.

Issues related to biodiversity What are the causes of deforestation? Hot Deserts inhabitants Climate of Hot Deserts

Why are there high rates of biodiversity? Logging Agriculture - People often live in large • Very little rainfall with less than 250 mm per open tents to keep cool. year. • Warm and wet climate encourages a • Most widely reported cause of • Large scale ‘slash and burn’ of - Food is often cooked slowly • It might only rain once every two to three years. wide range of vegetation to grow. destructions to biodiversity. land for ranches and palm oil. in the warm sandy soil. • Temperate are hot in the day (45 °C) but are • There is rapid recycling of nutrients to • Timber is harvested to create • Increases carbon emission. - Head scarves are worn by cold at night due to little cloud cover (5 °C). speed plant growth. commercial items such as • River saltation and soil erosion men to provide protection • In winter, deserts can sometimes receive • Most of the rainforest is untouched. furniture and paper. increasing due to the large from the Sun. occasional frost and snow. • Violent confrontation between areas of exposed land. Main issues with biodiversity decline indigenous tribes and logging • Increase in palm oil is making Adaptations to the desert Desert Interdependence companies. the soil infertile. • Keystone species (a species that are Cactus • Large roots to absorb water soon after important of other species) are Different parts of the Mineral Extraction Tourism rainfall. extremely important in the rainforest hot desert ecosystem • Needles instead of leaves to reduce ecosystem. Humans are threatening • • are closely linked Precious metals are found in Mass tourism is resulting in the surface area and therefore transpiration. these vital components. the rainforest. building of hotels in extremely together and depend on each other, especially in • Decline in species could cause tribes • Areas mined can experience soil vulnerable areas. Camels • Hump for storing fat (NOT water). a such a harsh being unable to survive. and water contamination. • Lead to negative relationship • Wide feet for walking on sand. environment. • Plants & animals may become extinct. • Indigenous people are between the government and • Long eyelashes to protect from sand. • Key medical plants may become extinct. becoming displaced from their indigenous tribes land due to roads being built to • Tourism has exposed animals Opportunities and challenges in the Hot desert Impacts of deforestation transport products. to human diseases. Opportunities Challenges Economic development Energy Development Road Building • There are valuable minerals for industries and • The extreme heat makes it difficult to work outside for + Mining (such Carajas Iron ore mine) • The high rainfall creates ideal • for Roads, such as the Trans Amazon construction. very long. farming and logging creates employment conditions for hydro-electric highway, are needed to bring • Energy resources such as coal and oil can be found in • High evaporation rates from irrigation canals and and tax income for government. power (HEP). supplies and provide access to new the Thar desert. farmland. + Products such as rubber and palm oil • The Tucurui Dam in Brazil is key mining areas, settlements and energy projects. • Great opportunities for renewable energy such as solar • Water supplies are limited, creating problems for the provide valuable income for countries. for creating energy in this • In Brazil, logging companies use an power at Bhaleri. increasing number of people moving into area. - The loss of biodiversity will reduce tourism. developing country, however, extensive network of roads heavy • Thar desert has attracted tourists, especially during • Access through the desert is tricky as roads are difficult both people and environment machinery and to transport wood. festivals. to build and maintain. Soil erosion have suffered.

- Once the land is exposed by deforestation, Sustainability for the Rainforest Causes of Desertification Strategies to reduce Desertification the soil is more vulnerable to rain. Desertification means the turning of Climate Change • Water management - growing - With no roots to bind soil together, soil can Uncontrolled and unchecked exploitation can cause irreversible damage such semi-arid areas (or drylands) into Reduce rainfall and rising temperatures crops that don’t need much water. easily wash away. as loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and climate change. deserts. have meant less water for plants. • Tree Planting – tree planting can act as windbreakers to protect the soil from Climate Change Possible strategies include: • Agro-forestry - Growing trees and crops at the same time. It prevents soil Fuel Wood Overgrazing wind and soil erosion. Great Green wall • -When rainforests are cut down, the climate erosion and the crops benefit from the nutrients. People rely on wood for fuel. This Too many animals mean plants are Soil Management - leaving areas of becomes drier. • Selective logging - Trees are only felled when they reach a particular removal of trees causes the soil to be eaten faster than they can grow back. land to rest and recover lost -Trees are carbon ‘sinks’. With greater height. exposed. Causing soil erosion. nutrients. • deforestation comes more greenhouse • Education - Ensuring those people understand the consequences of Technology – using less expensive, emissions in the atmosphere. deforestation Over-Cultivation Population Growth sustainable materials for people to -When trees are burnt, they release more • Afforestation - If trees are cut down, they are replaced. If crops are grown in the same areas A growing population puts pressure on maintain. i.e. sand fences, terraces carbon in the atmosphere. This will enhance • Forest reserves - Areas protected from exploitation. too often, nutrients in the soil will be the land leading to more deforestation, to stabilise soil and solar cookers the greenhouse effect. • Ecotourism - tourism that promotes the environments & conservation used up causing soil erosion. overgrazing and over-cultivation. to reduce deforestation.