Deforestation & Hazards Flashcards

1
Q

Why was deforestation beneficial to creating current societies?

A

It is a step toward the development of communities, towards economies & trading systems, and towards agriculture.
- NA has benefitted from deforestation, yet we often tell developing countries they can’t have these benefits (hypocritical)

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2
Q

Where historically and currently does deforestation occur?

A

historically: temperate forests
currently: tropical regions
- not just a shift in forests occurred, but the rate at which these forests are being cut down is speeding up

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3
Q

What defines a forest?

A
  • a closed forest: at least 20% crown cover

- an open forest: 5-20% crown cover

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4
Q

What is crown cover?

A

It is the percentage of shade when the sun is shining overhead.

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5
Q

What defines deforestation?

A

Different definitions:

  • the complete clearance of forests for agriculture and other uses
  • reducing crown cover to less than 10%
  • difference between degraded forest & deforestation
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6
Q

What are the two main methods of deforestation?

A
  1. Clear cutting

2. Selective logging

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7
Q

What does clear cutting mean?

A
  • a forest harvesting process where entire stands of trees are felled and removed
  • it’s aesthetically unpleasing & has negative environmental impacts
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8
Q

What does selective logging mean?

A
  • selected trees are harvested (valuable, mature and unhealthy trees taken)
  • creates an uneven-aged stand, so a regular supply is always available
  • it minimizes biodiversity loss
  • there are some issues when it is poorly implemented
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9
Q

What is happened with the Kalimantan Indonesian forest fires?

A
  • fires are a new risk in this area because of poor management and deforestation
  • smoke & haze affects other countries
  • large economic costs (billions of dollars)
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10
Q

Describe deforestation in Indonesia

A
  • this area is being deforested faster than anywhere in the world
  • cutting/burning down trees for palm oil plantations
  • moved families to partake in agricultural activities which takes over indigenous land & causes disputes
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11
Q

What evidence is there for increased risk due to deforestation/forest fires in Indonesia?

A
  • traditional forest conditions (heavy canopy, wet floor, humid, few nutrients in soil) can dry out when deforested causing decomposition rates to reduce which fuels more forest fires
  • there are old trees with thin bark that will die if burned (unlike temperate forests) because they have never experienced fire - unnatural for area
  • once an area has experienced forest fires, it is more likely to experience it again
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12
Q

What are the sources for forest fires in Indonesia?

A

All human induced!

  • conflicts over land tenures (fire as weapon)
  • indigenous burn palm oil plantations
  • farmers regularly burn crops & use nutrients
  • majority come from plantations, forestry & logging
  • occurrence of El Nino
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13
Q

Who was blamed for forest fires?

A

Indigenous! This way it removes the government responsibility & supports future economic activity

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14
Q

What distinguishes old age trees?

A
  • large for species/site
  • wide variation in sizes & spacing
  • accumulation of large, dead, fallen and standing trees
  • multiple canopy layers
  • root decay
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15
Q

Why are old growth trees valuable?

A
  • high value lumber
  • stores lots of carbon
  • high genetic diversity
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16
Q

Why does logging affect ecosystems?

A
  • changes the ecosystem structure and affects biodiversity as natural viability is reduced when plantations are created
  • clear cutting drastically changes the landscape which can cause certain species to suffer (i.e. caribou)
17
Q

How can clear cutting be beneficial?

A
  • gives an ecosystem the chance to regenerate & species diversity can rapidly increase
  • species like deer benefit from small clear cut areas
  • cost-effective (fast, easy access, most value)
18
Q

How does forest harvesting affect site fertility?

A
  • harvesting forests removes nutrients
  • not all sites can quickly recover
  • nutrient loss is reduced when trees cut in winter (no leaves)
19
Q

How does forest harvesting affect soil erosion?

A
  • heavy precipitation & slopes means more erosion
  • trees hold soil in place, so without higher risk of erosion
  • poor road designs can impact too
20
Q

How does forest harvesting affect the hydrological cycle?

A
  • tree removal reduces storage capacities of water and can result in flooding
21
Q

How does forest harvesting affect climate change?

A
  • forests carbon sink, but turn into a carbon source when decomposed/burned (can significantly alter CO2 levels)
22
Q

What are the disadvantages of clear cutting?

A
  • nutrient loss from ecosystem
  • loss of habitat
  • erosion
  • no timber products available for long periods of time