Lesson 5

Question 1

What are three causes of exploitation of the Taiga biome?

Answer 1

Deforestation
Degradation
Pollution

Question 2

What does the term ‘geographical content’ mean?

Answer 2

It means disagreement and differences of opinion linked to the use of places and resources.

Question 3

How do forests help to combat global warming?

Answer 3

They act as a vital carbon sink, which helps to decrease the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

Question 4

In what way is the Taiga biome important to indigenous people?

Answer 4

The biome has culturally important spaces.

Question 5

How many people are employed into the business of forestry in Russia and Canada?

Answer 5

2 million people in Russia

500 000 people in Canada

Question 6

What is selective logging?

Answer 6

It’s an alternative to clear-cutting, involving the removal of only large, valuable trees. It leaves some of the forest intact.

Question 7

Name three groups that believe the Taiga should be conserved.

Answer 7

Environmentalists
Many indigenous groups
Many scientists

Question 8

Name three groups in favour of exploiting the biome.

Answer 8

Businesses
Local government
Some residents

Question 9

What is the main two arguments for those in favour of exploiting the Taiga?

Answer 9

1. Exploitation only affects a tiny fraction of the vast biome.
2. Some exploitation is renewable (e.g. replantation, HEP).

Question 10

What does the term ‘clear cutting’ mean?

Answer 10

The logging of all trees in a wide area of forest.

Question 11

How much money does Canadian forestry generate every year?

Answer 11

US $15 billion

Question 12

How do oil companies contribute to the economy?

Answer 12

They pay taxes

Question 13

What are three negative impacts ofclear cutting?

Answer 13

1. It makes soil erosion likely, so the forest takes decades to regenerate naturally
2. It destroys mosses, lichen and other plants on the forest floor
3. When all trees are removed, landslides and river bank erosion increases dramatically

Question 14

Do regenerated forests (secondary forest) have a higher or lower biodiversity than the original forest (primary forest), and why?

Answer 14

Lower biodiversity because companies replant only the most commercially valusble plant species.

Question 15

Why could logging be seen as a more sustainable approach than oil or coal extraction?

Answer 15

Trees can be replanted whereas oil and coal isn’t.

Question 16

How does exploitation impact the economy?

Answer 16

GDP is increased and it brings income to isolated remote areas.