Unit10 Deforestation
Unit10 Deforestation
Unit10 Deforestation
3%
Percentage net
NPP
(gC/m2/yr) for
different
ecosystems
Unit XI. Deforestation and the role of forests
in the climate system.
B. Forest types
• Tropical Rainforest are the lungs of the
world. They inhale CO2 and exhale O2
through the process of photosynthesis.
Unit XI. Deforestation and the role of forests
in the climate system.
B. Forest types
• Tropical Rainforest: The risky bit…..
Soils: Ancient, little rock, highly leached
(high rainfall), and few sources of new
nutrients. Almost all nutrients are
recycled.
Incapable of sustained high harvest.
Unit XI. Deforestation and the role of forests
in the climate system.
C. Deforestation: why we should be
concerned.
• Loss of biodiversity
• Global warming (burning releases CO2)
• Climate impacts
Unit XI. Deforestation and the role of forests
in the climate system.
D. The role of forests in the climate system.
How a geologist
views a tree.…Key
variables:
Rooting depth
Water-holding
capacity of the soil.
D. The role of forests in the climate system.
Amazonia: Estimated that 50% of the rainfall
over the Amazon Basin is recycled water.