General Information Human Interaction with theTRF Biome

Deforestation increases C02 in the atmosphere

Wood is 50% carbon 1859-1990 deforestation released

122billion tonnes of carbon into atmosphere

Led to global warming Without GW temp would be -18 degrees

Lungs of the earth Trees clean the air by absorbing harmful

dust and particles, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen

Less trees means air quality declines Higher C02 lead to many changes

Extreme weather patterns, floods in australia last year, extreme heat now, mudslides in Brazil, droughts in sahel etc

Biodiversity Rainforest – 50% of worlds biodiversity

in 7% of landmass 137 species disappear every day Losing cures to cancer and aids 1 in four prescription drugs are derived

from plants by pharmaceutical ind.

Indigenous People Displacement Unique knowledge of Rainforest and

plants is being lost 53,000 square miles of rainforest lost in

1980’s

Soil Erosion Slash and Burn is used to clear forest –

releases nutrients into soil Increase productivity for short period Being leached by heavy rain In 3 years soil can be infertile Requires artificial fertiliser but too

expensive so more land is cleared Regeneration of forest is slow and soil is

eroded