Deforistation And The Destruction Of Areas Of Peat

Question 1

What does deforestation lead to?

Answer 1

A reduction in biodiversity

Question 2

Deforestation occurs so that:

Answer 2

Crops can grow from which biofuels, based on ethanol, can be produced
There can be increases in in cattle and in rice fields to provide more food. These organisms produce methane and this has led to increase in methane in the atmosphere

Question 3

What can the destruction of peat bogs and other areas of peat release?

Answer 3

Carbon dioxide

Question 4

Large-scale deforestation in tropical areas, for timber and to provided land for agriculture, has:

Answer 4

Increased the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - because of burning and the activities of microorganisms
Reduced the rate at which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and ‘locked up’ for many years as wood

Question 5

Why is peat free composts increasing in importance?

Answer 5

Peat bogs cover nearly 2-3% of the Earth’s surface and are an important carbon sink,containing more ‘locked-away’ carbon than the Earth’s forests. However, this means that when it is burt this ‘locked-away’ carbon is released into the environment. For this reason, it is more environmentally friendly to use peat free composts

Question 6

What does the amount of biomass in peat mean it is good for?

Answer 6

The amount of biomass it contains means it can be dried and burnt as a fuel, which makes it an important energy source in some countries. Peat also has valuable properties when mixed in with soil - including improved soil structure, mineral retention, water retention and acidity - making it valuable in agriculture and gardening. Many peat bogs have been drained to allow the peat to be extracted.