Living World Case Study - Papua New Guinea Rainforest

Question 1

What is exploitation?

Answer 1

The environment is used in such a way that it is destroyed and will be of no use for future generations.

Question 2

What is sustainable development?

Answer 2

The development of an area using techniques and approaches that will help to protect the environment for the future.

Question 3

Describe the tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea.

Answer 3

Papua New Guinea has one of the world’s largest remaining tropical rainforest; over 100,000 square miles occupy the country, at least 75% of its original forest cover.

Question 4

How many species of mammal live on Papua New Guinea?

Answer 4

200 species of mammal.

Question 5

How many species of plant are on Papua New Guinea?

Answer 5

20,000 species of plant.

Question 6

How many species of tree are on Papua New Guinea?

Answer 6

1,500 species of tree.

Question 7

How many species of bird live on Papua New Guinea?

Answer 7

750 species of bird.

Question 8

What percentage of the species in Papua New Guinea are endemic to the island?

Answer 8

50% are endemic.

Question 9

What percentage of the world’s species live in Papua New Guinea?

Answer 9

Between 5 and 7% of the known species of the world live in Papua New Guinea.

Question 10

Who are the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea?

Answer 10

The Maisin.

Question 11

What do the indigenous people use the rainforest for?

Answer 11

The Maisin use the forest for food, medicinal plants and materials for houses, canoes and tools.

They are the legal owners of their lands.

Question 12

What are the two main threats to the rainforest?

Answer 12

Large scale logging activities.

Oil palm plantations.

Question 13

What problems are created by large scale logging activities?

Answer 13

Clear felling causes complete deforestation.

Selective logging causes a loss of biodiversity.

Road construction destroys land.

Soil becomes infertile because of soil erosion/leaching due to the removal of tree roots.

Clean water supply is lost/contaminated due to sedimentation.

Question 14

What problems are created by palm oil plantations?

Answer 14

Deforestation for more space.

Loss of biodiversity; one type of plant, limited animals can live in the area.

Almost the entire production is export orientated; locals will not benefit unless they are working in them.

Soil can become infertile faster because of the loss of larger tree roots and overworked areas of land.

Question 15

Which groups are for the exploitation of Papua New Guinea?

Answer 15

Papua New Guinea government - who sold the logging rights and helped finance the project.

Transnationals and their shareholders - who bought the logging rights.

Consumers in MEDC’s - who want cheap furniture and plywood.

Some of the indigenous population - who gain work from the companies.

Question 16

Which groups are against the exploitation of Papua New Guinea?

Answer 16

Landowners - who are paid very little in compensation for loss of land.

Environmentalist groups - e.g. Greenpeace.

Australian government - who lie too close to P.N.G to be isolated from its social problems.

Most indigenous people - whose land is being illegally taken.

Question 17

What sustainable strategies are in place to help protect the rainforest from exploitation?

Answer 17

Sustainable forestry.

Training in sustainable forestry.

Eco-tourism.

Managed and conserved areas of land.

Local log-processing industries that make processed timber (which is worth more on the global market)

Small logging operations that have certified sustainable management certificates.

Question 18

What problems have been faced as sustainable strategies have been introduced?

Answer 18

Difficulties in dealing with tourists due to high levels of illiteracy.

Rivalries between tribal clans makes teamwork problematic.

Difficulties higher up in the government because the activities of multinational logging companies must be controlled.