Deforestation in Malaysia Flashcards
what is it?
clearance- the removal of a forest or area of trees where the land is thereafter converted to non- forest use
why is deforesttaion significant in Malaysia?
Orangu-tans are losing their natural habitats. As natural forest is destoryed, many young Orangu-tans are killed or orphaned
Rate of deforestation
is increasing faster than in any tropical country in the world. Between 2010 - 2013, faster than any tropical coountry in the world
logging
in 1980, became the world’s largest exporter of tropical wood - clear felling common
- Recerntly, celar felling replaced by slective logging - trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
energy development?
in 2011, Bakun Dam in Sarawak started to egenrate electricity - the dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular Malaysia.
The dam’s resevoir flooded over 700km (^2) of forests and farmland
Mineral extraction?
Mining (mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia
Rainforest has been cleared for mining and road construction
Remove trees to get minerals ➡ danger of oil leaks ➡ in water too
Population pressure?
In past, poor urban ppl were encouraged by Gov to move into the countryside from the rapidly growing city ro relive pop pressure in city. This is called transmigration 1956- 1980’s, aboout 15,000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers
Commercial farming?
- M largest exporter of palm oil in world
- During 1970’s, large areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations + planitations owner recieve 10 year tax incentives, so increasing amounts of land been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming?
This tyoe of farming is smalll scale and sustainable
once they’ve used nutrients in soil, they elave it for 30 years and come back
- ‘Slash and burn’ involves use of fire and clear land - burning creates valuable nutirents that helps plants grow. fires can go ou of control, destroying large areas of forest
Environmental loss in malayisa - effects on soil
it exposes soil to soil erosion by wind and rain and soil takes thousands of eyars to form - but it can stripped away in a matter of hours
Environmental loss in malayisa - biodiversity
Biodiversity - is a measure of the variety of plants and animals ecosystem
Environmental in malayisa - Peninsular malaysia
- forests are pticularly rich in theri biodiversity which is over 600 species
- still many undiscovered plants that have medical properties that could provide cures for diseases
- the highland forests are home to over 25% of all plant species found in Malaysia
Environmental loss in malayisa - effect on climeat change due to deforestation
- trees give off more moisture by the process of transpiration, deforestation reduced moistire in the air resulting in a drier climate
- The process of evaportation uses up ehat and cools the air; if trees are cut down, this cooling ceases and temperature rise
3 economic gains
- Minerals such as gold are very valuable
- Hydroelectric power will provide cheap and plentiful energy
- Development of land for mining, farming, and energy wil lead to jobs both directly (construction, farming) and indirectly (supply and support industires)
Why should rainforests be protected? cimate change
- trees absorb co2
