Climate case studies

Sahara, Sahel region (hot desert)

Background info: North Eastern, Northern, North Western Africa Northern hemisphere Countries: Algeria, Niger, Sudan, Egypt

Vegetation adaptations: Succulence: capture and store water in leaves, stems or roots Drought tolerant plants: strategies that help tolerate droughts (can live without water) Drought avoiding plants: only 'live' when there is water available (when it's dry they're dormant) Cactus: large stems for water storage thick waxy cuticle to reduce water loss through pores wide spread root system - can collect water easily spikes instead of leaves: reduce SA for transpiration and protects from predators

Wildlife adaptations: Camels: Long eyelashes, opening nostrils, ears covered in hair àsand/dust doesn’t get in Eyebrows shield eyes from sun Drink up to 46 litres per session Store fat in hump for energy Body temperature fluctuates so less sweating Wide feet so doesn’t sink in sand Thick lips to eat prickly plants without pain Colour allows them to blend in Snakes: Slither through grass/rocks à soundless, no alarm Can enter narrow holes to find rodents Flexible jaw to eat large prey Teeth directed backwards (prey escape) Forked tongue for smelling Colour/pattern for camouflage

Threats: Desertification: overcultivation of land due to population growth (for food) --> nutrients used up Deforestation: fuel wood needed Drought:climate change, less rain than 50 years ago (Egypt 125 mm a year) Overgrazing: cattle, sheep, goats eat vegetables --> wind erosion Salinity: water for irrigation contains mineral salts --> water evaporates --> salts --> crops die

Conservation (sustainable farming): Less animals: less overgrazing, protective vegetation Aforestation: roots hold soil together Earth dams: collect & store water in wet season --> irrigation in dry season Solar panels for energy (Algeria in Sahara)

Impacts: 13% GDP, 32% labour in farming lost jobs, loss of income Food shortages, price increase (25 to 89 million people --> population pressure) Loss of fertile land: $70 billion to transfer water from lake Nasser to irrigate land (30% more land) Deforestation --> desertification --> loss of vegetation Soil salinity Soil erosion (wind)

Amazon Rainforest (tropical rainforest)

Background info: A rainforest in Brazil and Colombia Biggest rainforest in the world In South America

Vegetation adaptations: Buttress roots – rainforests soils is thin so shallow roots are needed to soak up nutrients in soil. These massive roots give the 30m trees extra stability in shallow soil Stilt roots – provide tall trees with support is shallow rainforest soil Red leaves – give protection from sunlight for plant saplings as reflect red light to protect internal organs for photosynthesis while still developing Lianas – roots in ground and use other trees to climb up into canopy for sunlight. Some start in canopy and go down for roots Leaf angling – leaves arranged at different angles so plant avoids shading its own leaves as competition for sunlight is high Drip tips – waxy surface with pointed tips to enable excess rainwater to run-off. Prevents growth of algae (which would block out sunlight and reduce photosynthesis) Epiphytes – live on surface of other plants (mostly tree trunks and branches) to get most sunlight in canopy Thin bark – don’t need thick bark as plenty of water available. Smooth bark also makes it harder for plants to grow on it.

Wildlife adaptations: Toucan: Bright colours to attract mates Strong claws for grip on branches Stron bill for cracking nuts Loud call to scare enemies Nest in tree holes to hide from predators Sloth: Strong claws to hang to branches Lengthy limbs to hang on to branches Algae on fur for camouflage

Threats: Mining: Carajas mine - largest iron ore mine in the world. Rainforest removed to get iron, copper, tin, aluminium, gold, manganese Road building: to reach mines, transport ore, logging, for farming, basic communication - up to 50 km of deforestation on either side of the road Farming: tuitional Amerindians - land cleared, farmed a few years, people leave and move on after burning some trees to fertilise soil. Kind of sustainable as it's only small area. Logging: many trees cut down for wood, e.g. Mahogany

Conservation Yosuni National Park: one of the most biologically diverse area in the world, 10 000 km2, Amazonian tribes live there (some don't even want contact with outside world) Selective logging: only fell trees that are mature --> protects forest canopy, ground below is also protected BUT each selectively logged tree may damages 30 other trees by the way Conservation swamps: country lowers its debt by agreeing to conservation activities, e.g. USA and Peru preserved jaguar in Peruvian rainforest Responsible management and use: Forest Stewardship Council only approves responsible wood products. Company can use their logo, customers decide who to choose: sustainable or not product

Impacts: Foreign currency from mining Road network helps country develop Only subsistence farming Jobs created in mines Communication is improved Traditional ways of life are preserved Deforestation Forest logged --> more forest opened up --> more logged Sustainable farming