Geographic Setting
What is biodiversity?
variety of plants and animals living in an area
How do Native Amazonians use the rainforest?
to provide food, shelter, and clothing in their traditional ways
When did loggers come to the Amazon?
1960s
When did cattle ranching become an industry in the Amazon rainforest?
The 1960s
What is ecotourism?
tourism for those who want to see unique ecosystems
What are the three levels of the rainforest?
Canopy, Lower story, Forest floor
How do rubber tappers use the rainforest
they use the sap from rubber trees to make rubber products
When did the Brazilian government encourage poor citizens to move to the amazon to claim land?
1960s
When did Scientists and environmental groups start coming into the Amazon rainforest?
the 1970s
What is one example of sustainable development?
shade grown coffee
strip logging
How much of the worlds oxygen is provided by the Amazon rainforest?
a quarter, or 25%
when did native Amazonians come to the rainforest?
12,000 years ago
Why is farming difficult in the Amazon for settlers?
the soil is poor in nutrients
How can cattle ranching harm the amazon rainforest?
Constant grazing leads to permanent deforestation
What is one factor that contributes to loss of forest worldwide?
Population growth
Poverty forces may depend on wood alone for fuel, heat, and building material
How much rain a year does the Amazon receive? (in inches)
80 to 115 inches
When did rubber tappers come to the rainforest?
1870s
How does logging lead to other types of development?
Logging companies are the first to build roads that others use
How much money does cattle ranching bring into Brazil annually?
more than 3 billion
false
About how many square miles does the Amazon rainforest cover?
2 million!
How many native people once lived in the Amazon rainforest?
10 million!
How much money does logging bring in to Brazil annually?
over 5 billion
What is one thing environmental groups have achieved in protecting the Amazon?
Blocked a law in 2000 that would have allowed rancher sto clear land without restrictions
Created two large rainforest reserves in 2004.
Brazil set up a 21 billion fund to pay for conservation and sustainable development.
True or false, the U.S. has gained more forests percentage wise than any other country?
false, though it is gaining forests