6.6 The Value Of Tropical Raianforests To People And The Environment Flashcards
1
Q
What are three reasons to keep the TRF in its natural state?
A
- air purification
- biodiversity
- protect centuries of local knowledge
2
Q
What are four reasons to clear the TRF
A
- medicinal plants
- hardwood building materials
- cattle farming
- HEP
3
Q
Explain air purification
A
The Amazon is a natural carbon sink, it is known as the ‘lungs of the Earth’
4
Q
Why is TRF biodiversity important
A
- plants provide medicinal opportunities
- it is known as the medicine cabinet
- 20% of the active ingredients in cancer fighting drugs come from the TRF
- only 1% of the TRF has been tested for its medicinal value
- future medicinal opportunities are threatened by deforestation
5
Q
Why is protecting centuries of local knowledge important
A
- indigenous groups have local knowledge of plant properties that have passed down through generations
- they also have small scale businesses such as weaving baskets from lianas
6
Q
Why should areas be cleared for medicinal plants
A
areas can be cleared to allow the cultivation of specific species of plant with, for example, active ingredients for cancer fighting drugs
7
Q
Why should the TRF be cleared for hardwood building materials
A
- mahogany and teak are in demand for furniture
- they a significant economic opportunity for logging companies (many of which are illegal)
- many areas of forest are destroyed in search for specific trees
8
Q
Why should the forest be cleared for cattle farming
A
- it is a prosperous economic opportunity
- it provides a large number of jobs
- it meets demands for western style diets
9
Q
Why should the TRF be cleared for HEP
A
- renewable energy on rivers such as the Amazon provide electricity for thousands of people
- many people are displaced when building the power station
10
Q
Evaluation: is the rainforest more valuable in its natural state or when cleared
A
- it is more valuable it its natural state
- this is challenging due to our consumer society - demand for cars, western style diets and population increase
- this has directly led to large scale deforestation of the Amazon
11
Q
Sustainability (long term)
A
- wild plants that offer medicinal properties must be harvested in a sustainable way to avoid over exploitation (degradation) of the Amazon
- there are over 100 pharmaceutical companies researching the TRF
- the lungs of the Earth is critical as a carbon sink and as much of it as possible should be left untouched and kept in a pristine state (eg national parks or nature reserves)
