Geography – 4. Geographical skills and investigations | e-Consult
4. Geographical skills and investigations (1 questions)
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(a) Types of Vegetation: Three different types of vegetation visible in the image are likely to be:
- Emergent Layer: The tallest trees, visible as isolated crowns above the main canopy.
- Canopy Layer: The dense, continuous layer of treetops that forms the majority of the rainforest's vegetation.
- Understory Layer: The lower layer of shrubs, saplings, and smaller trees that receive less sunlight.
(b) Benefits of Canopy Structure: The dense canopy structure of a tropical rainforest is highly beneficial to the ecosystem.
- Shade and Humidity: The canopy provides shade, reducing evaporation and maintaining high humidity levels within the rainforest. This is crucial for the survival of many rainforest species.
- Habitat and Food Source: The canopy provides a habitat for a vast array of animals, including monkeys, birds, and insects. It also serves as a food source for these animals.
- Carbon Storage: The rainforest canopy stores a significant amount of carbon, helping to regulate the global climate.
(c) Human Activities Contributing to Deforestation: Two human activities that contribute to deforestation in tropical rainforests are:
- Logging: The harvesting of timber for commercial purposes is a major driver of deforestation. Large areas of rainforest are cleared to make way for logging operations.
- Agriculture: The expansion of agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and palm oil plantations, is a significant cause of deforestation. Rainforests are cleared to create pastureland and farmland.