Deforestation And Land Use

Question 1

Why do humans cut down trees?

Answer 1

•to clear land for farming and to provide more food
•to grow crops for biofuels and ethanol

Question 2

What problems can deforestation cause?

Answer 2

•cutting down trees means less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and less carbon dioxide is locked in by them
•carbon dioxide is released when trees are burnt to clear land
•less biodiversity as habitats like forests are being destroyed putting species in danger of extinction

Question 3

What are peat bogs?

Answer 3

-acidic and waterlogged areas where plants do not fully decay due to lack of oxygen
-this leads to the accumulation of partly-rotted plants known as peat.

Question 4

Why is carbon stored in peat bogs?

Answer 4

Carbon from plants is stored in peat instead of being released into the atmosphere

Question 5

What are common activities that destroy peat bogs?

Answer 5

Peat bogs are often drained for farmland or harvested for fuel and compost

Question 6

What happens when peat bogs are drained?

Answer 6

Draining peat bogs increases contact with air, leading to decomposition by microorganisms, which release carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming

Question 7

How does burning peat contribute to carbon emissions?

Answer 7

-Burning peat as fuel releases carbon dioxide
-this adds to greenhouse gas emissions

Question 8

What is the impact of destroying peat bogs on biodiversity?

Answer 8

Destruction of peat bogs reduces habitats for animals, plants, and microorganisms