Lesson 3

Question 1

What is a direct threat?

Answer 1

A direct threat is a threat which removes items of the forest as part of its aim.

Question 2

What is an indirect threat?

Answer 2

An indirect threat is something which has side effects which can damage the forest?

Question 3

What is the main direct threat to the taiga?

Answer 3

Deforestation

Question 4

What other four factors lead to deforestation?

Answer 4

Poverty, Debt, Economic Development and Demand for Resources

Question 5

Name one possible threats from biotic factors.

Answer 5

Pests and Diseases, Fungus and Mould, Temperatures increasing rate

Question 6

Name one possible threats from abiotic factors.

Answer 6

Acid Rain, Forest Fires

Question 7

How is acid rain produced?

Answer 7

Fossil fuels are burnt, releasing gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. These react with the water in the clouds to produce sulphuric and nitric acids. Precipitation ten carries these acids to the surface.

Question 8

How are forest fires possible in the cold and wet taiga?

Answer 8

Summers can be hot and dry, and the litter store acts as perfect tinder for forest fires. Summer storms general lightning strikes and the litter and sticky resin of pine needles fuel the fire.

Question 9

Name one consequence of pests and diseases.

Answer 9

They reduce the commercial value of the forest, making it hard to sell timber. They dramatically alter the ecosystem - killing tree species. They can change the landscape from a dense forest to a more open landscape.

Question 10

What threats do tar sands extraction pose to the taiga?

Answer 10

Strip mining the surface or streaming out tar can have detrimental effects to the forest as it produces toxic waste which is collected in ponds. Mining also uses 2-4 tonnes of water or vast amounts of natural gas which can be pose to be an expensive process swell as exploiting natural resources. Strip mining also poses the threats of affecting the landscape as trees are cut down.

Question 11

What threats does HEP production pose to the taiga?

Answer 11

Taiga forest is flooded, affecting the ecosystem as trees are potential habitats for animals. Mercury may also be released which goes into the food web affecting the whole ecosystem. Finally roads, dams and reservoirs can ultimately affect the migration routes of certain animals such as caribou.

Question 12

What is the main indirect threat to the taiga?

Answer 12

Global Warming

Question 13

Rates of Deforestation are increased by:

Answer 13

Poverty in LICs

Increase in palm oil extraction for the palm-oil industry

Question 14

Rates of Deforestation are decreased by:

Answer 14

Protection of Forest : e.g. Park Rangers, plans such as the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation)
Isolation: hard to access some areas, this itself protects it from deforestation

Question 15

What is deforestation?

Answer 15

The deliberate cutting down of forests to exploit forest resources

Question 16

Are forest fires all bad?

Answer 16

No, they help the forest to regenerate itself. For example, pine cones open when burned and therefore release seeds. Trees such as aspen and birch sprout from burned stumps. However, too many forest fires will lead to the forest not being able to regenerate properly and the biodiversity decreases as fire-tolerat species begin to thrive.

Question 17

What is an intact forest?

Answer 17

Primary forestry which has not been deforested. Large in area and therefore allows animals to move and migrate within it.