Deforestation

Question 1

What are the main reasons behind deforestation?

Answer 1

• To provide land for farming
• To grow crops to produce biofuels
• To get wood which can be used for construction (logging)

Question 2

What are the main problems of deforestation?

Answer 2

• Less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere as there are less trees to photosynthesis - contributes to global warming
• Without tree roots to stabalise soil, soil will easily be eroded by rain and wind
• Loss of biodiversity as destruction of habitats

Question 3

What are peat bogs?

Answer 3

• Areas of land that are waterlogged and acidic
• In these areas, plants do not decay as the conditions don’t allow decomposers to survive
• Therefore, carbon that would have been released into the atmosphere is instead stored in the peat bogs
• They are also important habitats for many species

Question 4

Why are peat bogs being destroyed?

Answer 4

• They are drained so the area can be used for farming
• Peat can be dried and used as a fuel
• Peat can be used to produce compost

Question 5

Negative impacts of destroying peat bogs

Answer 5

• Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when peat is burned as a fuel
• Peat is a non-renewable resource
• Kills habitats and so reduces biodiversity
• Are being used unsustainably

Question 6

How does destoying eat bogs release CO2?

Answer 6

• The draining of water allows air (and oxygen) to return to the soil
• This allows microorganism to carry out aerobic respiration and decay the organic matter
• This releases CO2