Tropical Rainforest: Goods & Services (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)
Revision Note
Goods & Services of the Tropical Rainforest
The tropical rainforest (TRF) provides a range of goods and services to support life
Goods are the physical products and items that can be used by people
Services are benefits that the rainforest provides for people and the environment
Goods | Services |
|---|---|
Foods such as fruits, nuts, and spices Animal products such as meat and fur | Climate control and carbon sinks. Trees are important natural stores of carbon, and tropical rainforests are huge carbon sinks |
Products such as rubber and resins for chewing gum, perfume and soaps Palm oil is used in cosmetics, confectionary, detergents and other products | Air and water purification. Rainforests absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which is vital in the fight against climate change. Trees act as a water store by intercepting rainfall |
Water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes and generate electricity | Habitats for plants, animals, and humans. Rainforests have spiritual and cultural benefits |
Medicines to treat and cure diseases and pain relief The Madagascan rosy periwinkle, which can be poisonous, can help treat childhood leukaemia | TRFs provide a source of revenue from employment, recreation and tourism |
Timber for construction, garden furniture, and fuel for heat and cooking | Protection against soil erosion. Tree roots bind the soil together, which not only supports the tree but also prevents soil being washed away |
Threat of Climate Change in Tropical Rainforest
The IPCC estimates that global temperatures are likely to rise between 2°C and 3°C by 2100
Threats of climate change to tropical rainforests would bring an increase in temperature and a decrease in moisture
Because TRF's rely on the climate, any changes will threaten its structure, function and biodiversity
Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
Structure | Biomass store will be reduced as longer periods of dry conditions slow down decomposition The soil structure will change as it is no longer able to support plant life because it is not fertile. The roots of plants and trees no longer hold the soil together so it is easily eroded Sea level rises would threaten river delta regions such as the Amazon delta |
Function | Cloud functioning will be disturbed, reducing the amount of water available for ecosystem function Less rainfall increases risk of drought and a greater chance of wildfires The nutrient cycling function will stop or slow down |
Biodiversity | A drier climate threatens plant and animal adaptations, leading to migration, extinction or invasion of new species as biodiversity cannot adapt to the changing climate fast enough Fewer trees would change biodiversity and habitats |
These changes will have common effects on the different large-ecosystems
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