Abiotic Factors
Limiting Factor: Deforestation
In the last 40 years, almost 20 percent of the Amazon Rainforest has been lost to deforestation. Scientists predict another 20 percent will be lost in the next few decades.
Picture (right): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fires_and_Deforestation_on_the_Amazon_Frontier,_Rondonia,_Brazil_-_August_12,_2007.jpg |
Average Precipitation
Average Temperature
Wind Patterns
Light winds in the Amazon Rainforest make the warm air feel even more humid than it already is. The average wind speed above the forest canopy is 6.2 miles/hour. The wind under the canopy is much less because of all the immense trees and plants. Typically, wind speeds have been found to be 1 to 5 percent of the wind above the canopy.
Picture (right): http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/AmazonLAI/amazon_lai3.php
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Soil Composition
Tropical soils are some of the deepest in the world. In the Amazon, the normal soil does not contain many nutrients or minerals, but the thin topsoil is what supports all of the vegetation. It is made up of decaying animal and plant reamins.
Picture (right): http://amazonpilgrim.com/chapters/chapter-3/
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Geographic Features
Amazon River
The Amazon River is the largest river in the world, based on discharge of water. Some experts claim it is the longest in the world (around 4,300 miles), but the actual length is disagreed upon. The Amazon accounts for 20% of the freshwater discharge into the oceans. Picture (Right): https://www.emaze.com/@ALRZWLZL/THE-AMAZON-RIVER-(GEOGRAPHY)-PELIN-V
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Picture (left): http://www.lovethesepics.com/2011/10/amazing-amazonia-amazon-rainforest-46-pics/