The Living WorldTopic Summary
Topic Summary: Tropical Rainforests
Part of Tropical Rainforests — GCSE Geography
This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Tropical Rainforests within Tropical Rainforests for GCSE Geography. Revise Tropical Rainforests in The Living World for GCSE Geography with 15 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 14 of 14 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 14 of 14
Practice
15 questions
Recall
22 flashcards
Topic Summary: Tropical Rainforests
Key Terms
- Deforestation: Large-scale permanent removal of forest — 17% of Amazon lost since 1970
- Biodiversity: Variety of species — Amazon holds 10% of all species on Earth
- Nutrient cycling: Nutrients circulate through biomass, not stored in thin soil
- Interdependence: All ecosystem parts depend on each other — remove one, many are affected
- Carbon sink: Amazon stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon
- Tipping point: 20–25% deforestation may trigger irreversible savannification
- REDD+: International payments for keeping forests standing — Norway paid Brazil $1.2bn
- Laterite: Hard, infertile soil left after forest is cleared and nutrients leach away
Amazon Key Facts
- 5.5 million km² across 9 countries (60% in Brazil)
- 10% of all species on Earth; 40,000 plants, 1,300 birds, 3,000 freshwater fish
- 400+ indigenous tribes; ~70 uncontacted
- 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon stored
- 20 billion tonnes of water vapour per day ("flying rivers")
- 25% of Western medicines derived from rainforest plants
- 17% deforested since 1970; tipping point at 20–25%
Deforestation Causes (SLIMEH)
- S — Soya farming ($33bn/year; 25m hectares; BR-163 highway)
- L — Logging (80% illegal; mahogany; roads open forest)
- I — Indigenous displacement (poverty; slash-and-burn)
- M — Mining (Serra Pelada goldmine; Carajás iron ore)
- E — Energy (Belo Monte Dam; 500 km² flooded; 20,000 displaced)
- H — Highways and ranching (Trans-Amazon Highway; cattle = 70% of clearing)
Management Strategies + Evidence
- Satellite monitoring (INPE): Reduced deforestation 83% (2004–2012)
- Indigenous territories: 10x lower deforestation than unprotected areas
- Forest Code: 80% of Amazon land holdings must remain forested
- REDD+ / Amazon Fund: Norway paid $1.2bn; payments tied to measurable reductions
- Key lesson: Strategies only work with political will — proven by 2019 rise and 2023 fall