Brazil deforestation Flashcards
1
Q
Farming
A
- Cattle accounts for 80% of deforestation
- Palm oil and sugar cane are major crops
2
Q
Logging
A
- Trees such as mahogany and teak are highly valued for furniture and other uses
- Trees can be used for fuel
3
Q
Road building
A
- Bring subbplies and provide access to new mining areas
- In Brazil Trans-Amazonian highway stretches for around 4000 km throught the rainforest
4
Q
Mineral extraction
A
- Minerals such as gold and copper are mined extensively
- Damages landscape and pollutes rivers
- Largest iron ore mine is worked by 3000 people provides jobs but bad for environment
5
Q
Energy development
A
- High rainfall creates ideal conditions for hydro-electric power - there are large dams and resevoirs
- Belo Monte dam - a huge hydro-electric complex. In damming of the Xingu River, over 40,000 hectares of rainforest have been flooded and 20,000 local people displaced
6
Q
Economic impact
A
- Generates employment
- Taxes - multiplier effect
- Oil palm, rubber sold abroad
- Hydro-electric power boosts industrial development
- Improved infrastructure leads to economic development and settlement
- However, longer-term economic losses may be felt as forests and ecosystems are destroyed and land and rivers become polluted
- Loss of biodiversity may reduce tourism
7
Q
Soil erosion
A
- If trees are taken down, there are no longer roots to bind soil together
- Can be washed away as it is vulnerable to floods
8
Q
Climate change
A
- Emit moisture contributing to water cycle
- Trees cool the air - becomes warmer
- Less CO2 absorption, more greenhouse gases - climate change
- Burning trees releases CO2
9
Q
How can they be managed sustainably
A
- Selective logging - monitored and cut by professionals + new trees planted
- Conservation and education - conservation projects, educating people to encourage them to preserve rainforests
- Ecotourism - low impact on environment, brings in more money, encourages companies to preserve rainforest
- International agreements about use of hardwoods - FSC promotes sustainable managemetn by approving timber from sustainable sources
- Debt reduction - USA agrees to write off debts in return for rainforests being protected
