Living World : Rainforests Flashcards
1
Q
Causes of deforestation in Malaysia
A
- Mineral Extraction
- Population Pressure
- Commercial Farming
- Subsistence Farming
- Logging
- Road Construction
- Settlement
- Energy development (dams)
2
Q
Mineral Extraction in Malaysia
A
- Tin is abundant in Malaysia
- Oil and Gas too
3
Q
Population Pressure in Malaysia
A
15,000 Hectares of rainforest felled for settlers
4
Q
Commercial Farming in Malaysia
A
- Largest exporter of palm oil in the world
- Rainforests are felled to create land for plantations
5
Q
Subsistence Farming in Malaysia
A
- Slash and burn
- Clears land, destroys rainforest
6
Q
Environmental impacts of deforestation in Malaysia
A
- Soil erosion
- Loss of Biodiversity
- Contribution to Climate Change
- Half rainforests have been felled
7
Q
Economic Gains from Deforestation in Malaysia?
A
- Job opportunities through mining, farming, felling
- Hydroelectric power will provide cheap, renewable and plentiful energy
- Minerals such as gold are very valuable
- Improved transport from roads
8
Q
Economic losses from Deforestation in Malaysia?
A
- Pollution of water could result in water shortages
- Fires can burn valuable areas of forest
- Rising temperatures from climate change can devastate tea farming
- Tourism could plummet due to decreasing attractions (rainforest life)
9
Q
Why should we protect tropical rainforests?
A
- Biodiversity
- Trees are carbon sinks (28% of world’s oxygen)
- Climate Change
- Potential medicines
- Resources are finite
- Indigenous people
10
Q
How can rainforests be sustainably managed?
A
- Selective Logging and replanting
- Conservation and education
- International Agreements
- Ecotourism
- Hardwood forestry
- Debt reduction
11
Q
What is weather like in tropical rainforests?
A
- Extremely high rainfall (2000mm + yearly)
- Very humid
- Temp 27 degrees
- Rainfall varies throughout year (distinct wet season roughly every 6 months)
12
Q
What are soils like in tropical rainforests?
A
- Infertile and nutrient deprived
- Due to LEACHING
- Thin layer of nutrients from decomposition at the top layer
13
Q
Why are soils nutrient deprived?
A
- LEACHING
- Nutrients are washed away and dissolved by intensive rainfall
- LATOSOL is left behind, (infertile, non rich soil)
14
Q
Nutrient Cycle
A
- Vegetation and trees rapidly grow and shed leaves
- Vegetation decays and decomposes rapidly
- These nutrients enter the topsoil and are either absorbed by plants or washed away by rain, so nutrients do not penetrate to deeper soils
- Shallow roots take up nutrients on forest floor for growth
15
Q
Where can tropical rainforests be found?
A
Between the tropics -
- South-East Asia
- Central Africa
- Northern Australia
- South America
- Central America
