deforestation

Question 1

what are the two main causes of deforestation

Answer 1

1) deliberate removal of forests to make space for other land uses such as agriculture
2) unsustainable exploitation above maximum sustainable yield

Question 2

list some causes of forest loss due to alternative uses of land

Answer 2

1) agriculture
2) mineral extraction
3) reservoirs
4) urbanization
5) transport of infrastructure

Question 3

how does agriculture contribute to forest loss

Answer 3

1) growth of a population increases the demand for food so the land must be learned for more farming
2) forest cleared for commercial cash crops where produce can be exported to cities such as palm oil

Question 4

how does mineral exploitation contribute to forest loss

Answer 4

forests must be cleared for mining and the associated infrastructure which comes with it

Question 5

how do reservoirs contribute to forest loss

Answer 5

reservoirs for public supply, irrigation or HEP often replace forests

Question 6

how does infrastructure contribute to forest loss

Answer 6

1) areas lost to the expansion of roads, railways or airports
- create barriers to the movement of wildlife causing population fragmentation
- improved transport systems make it easier for resources such as felled trees to be transported increasing rate of forest cleared

Question 7

lost some causes for forest loss as a result of unsustainable exploitation above MSY

Answer 7

1) timber resources
2) fuel
3) livestock fodder

Question 8

list the ecological affects of deforestation

Answer 8

1) reduced biodiversity
2) loss of species
3) fragmentation of remaining forst= smaller gene pools

Question 9

list the effects of deforestation on hydrology

Answer 9

1) reduced interception and transpiration

2) increased surface run off

Question 10

list the impacts of deforestation on soil

Answer 10

• reduced formation
• less dead organic matter
• increased erosion
• less protection of soil from leaf matter
• reduced root binding