Deforestation UNIT 3 AOS 2 Flashcards
what is the process of deforestation?
permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses
describe the distribution
The distribution of forest decrease is spread around the world showing no certain pattern, predominantly between the two tropics, with the exception of countries such as Kazakhstan and Afghanistan in the Middle East. Majority of the decrease in forest cover has occurred in Africa. It can be observed hat 50% of Africa’s total land area has seen decrease in forest.
outline and explain 3 natural causes of deforestation
- Insects, pests: affect less than 2% of forests worldwide, though the damage they cause is significant
- Wildfires: only affect 1% of all forests worldwide but can be a major impact on natural habitats
- Climate change: climate change will influence forest cover due to the impact on temperature and available moisture. Forests tend to lose health and due due to heat stress and aridity.
outline and explain 3 human causes of deforestation
- Land rights: issues regarding land rights and forest ownership hinder the effectiveness of sustainable forest management, particularly among the indigenous populations
- infrastructure: projects to improve infrastructure such as mines, dams and transport sport may lead to forest loss.
- population growth: 4.8 million rise since 1975, demand for land to cater for growing population has led to deforestation of particular areas
2 impacts of deforestation on specific location of Papua New Guinea
- loss of biodiversity: PNG contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Species lose their habitat and can no longer thrive in areas where forest is being lost
- habitat degradation: new road providing access to settlers and logger in the forests of PNG can cause widespread destruction of forests, and thus destroying habitats
3 general impacts of deforestation
- loss of indigenous language: 300 indigenous languages in PNG. Language is lost as language groups are separated from their land due to deforestation (social)
- Increased atmospheric co2: reduced forest means less carbon dioxide is absorbed by the trees, which accumulates in the atmosphere as a result of pollution. (environment)
- health issues: the loss of food and pollution of water sources leading to health problems amongst forest dependent communities.
spatial technology? how is it used? who uses it?
Aerial imaging is used and means that large areas of forest can be surveyed accurately. Also used to classify forest cover and monitor it extend and detect any changes in forest cover. Used by Global Forest Watch
describe the walkabout response. Who? What? When? Where?
Using portable saw mills. Picked selected trees that are mature enough to cut down. Timber is exported to countries like Australia and labelled as “eco timber”. This is instead of letting destructive foreign logging companies take over.
- PNG, Lake Murray region in the western province
- locals, rainforest coalition Australia, Green peace and other NGO’s
- 1989
- carried by about 4 people
evaluate the walkabout response
- innovative and environmentally friendly
- less expensive
- less impact of flora and fauna
- social interaction between communities
- many isolated communities such as the Lake Murray tribes struggle to sell their timber
- sustainable eco forestry
- passed on to Solomon Islands
how successful has it been? (walkabout)
no clear evidence to whether it has been successful or not
describe the national forest inventory response. Who? What? When? Where?
Undertaking land surveying and spatial technology survey to asses the amount of forest they have, biodiversity, trees, how its being used.
- In conjunction with (FAO) UN, Italy and European Union. Bintang research centre: local centre working with overseas aid
- March 2016
- PNG
evaluate the nation forest inventory response
- training local research
- help save rare species
- the amount of forest to assess in enourmous, biodiversity is very complex
- only 2 days per site
- cost is 7.8 million (EURO). funded by european union and UN-REDD. People could get turned off by expence
how successful has it been? (national forest inventory)
no evidence
describe the REDD inventory response. Who? What? When? Where?
industrialised countries fund local and regional projects within developing countries, which assists them to improve the management of their forests or implement afforestation projects as a means of reducing greenhouse emissions.
- UN-REDD
- initiated in 2005
- Global, occurs in PNG
evaluate the REDD response
- even if 100% effective, RED will only contribute 20% of the needed solution to the problem of climate change
- cost is US$38 billion per year, very costly
- all 37 developing countries that were supported to develop nation REDD programs were willing to participate in the program
- unsustainable funding, lots of REDD attain their money from voluntary funding
