Isaac Newton School Geography Department

What is the impact of humans in the tropical rainforest?

Human activities in the

rainforest, such as logging,
farming and mining, can have
a significant impact on the
ecosystem. Figure 1 is a
simple diagram showing an
area of rainforest unaffected
by humans. The vegetation
ensures the continued
survival of the ecosystem.

Figure 2 shows the

consequences of human
activity in the rain forest.

Figure 1
Vegetation in the rainforest ensures the survival of the
rainforest. Decaying vegetation, e.g. leaves, provides
nutrients for the relatively unfertile soil. Evapotranspiration
from the vegetation provides moisture in the atmosphere,
which feeds the heavy afternoon rains. The dense
vegetation cover and root systems protect the soil from
erosion.
Figure 1.
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Figure 2
Once vegetation in the tropical rainforest is removed the
ecosystem collapses. The nutrient cycle breaks down. So
the soil rapidly becomes infertile especially as nutrients are
leached away. This leads to increased soil erosion due to
the lack of vegetation cover. Also, carbon dioxide levels in
the atmosphere increase because the gas released when
the vegetation is burned. In addition to this the vegetation
no longer absorbs carbon dioxide.
Figure 2.
A. Bennett
 Isaac Newton School Geography Department

1. Give examples of three human activities, which have a negative impact on the rainforest.
Tourism, settlement, poaching
2. The flow diagram below shows the impact of humans in the tropical rainforest. Copy and complete it.
Dead trees Animal habitats

Increased levels of CO2.

Soil is washed
The topsoil is exposed awy (mass
to rainfall.
defore Nutrients in the soil are

station leached away.

Levels of
evapotranspiration Less moisture in the Less rainfall in
decrease. atmosphere. the forest

Human activity in the

Rainfall and humidity Vegetation is set on fire. Increased soil erosion. rainforest removes
levels decrease. vegetation.

3. Deforestation causes reduced evapotranspiration, increased carbon dioxide levels and the leaching of minerals.
Describe how each occurs and then explain the problems each will cause. An example answer using soil erosion has
been written below to help you complete this exercise.

“Human activities in the rainforest such as farming, logging and mining involve removing the natural vegetation. When
vegetation is removed there is little protection for the soil. The vegetation no longer acts like an umbrella protecting the
soil from heavy rain. Also, roots are removed which mean the soil becomes loose. As a result heavy rainfall washes the
soil away.

GeoNet internetgeography @ www.internetgeography.co.uk A. Bennett

 Isaac Newton School Geography Department
This causes many problems. The topsoil, the most fertile land in the rainforest, is removed. Therefore it will be difficult for
the rainforest to re-establish itself. Also, the increased run-off (water flowing over the land) causes flooding.”

evapotranspiration;this occurs when plants and any water body looses water as a result of heat from the sun.
deforestation means transpiration will not occur hence lower amount of rainfall in the rainforest which will affect the
ecosystem.
Increased levels of co2;trees require carbon doixide to produce. If deforestation occurs,this means that the co2 will not
be taken in as there will be no trees. The danger is that co2 is a greenhouse gas and this will affect the ozone layer.
Leaching of minerals;this is when minerals(humus) moves down the soil over time. If deforestation occurs,the soil will
be bare,promoting a fast rate of leaching which will leave the topsoil of the land infertile for other plants to grow.

GeoNet internetgeography @ www.internetgeography.co.uk A. Bennett