Malaysia case study Flashcards
Malaysia facts
- LIC country
- in south east asia
- 67% of Malaysia is tropical rainforest
- fastest rate of deforestation in the world
rainforest inhabitants
the rainforest provides inhabitants with food, natural medicines, homes and boats
causes of deforestation - logging
-most widely reported cause of destructions to biodiversity
-timber is harvested to create commercial items
-violent confrontation between indigenous tribes and logging companies
selective logging
only fully grown trees are cut, replanted
clear felling
where all the trees in an area are cut down
causes of deforestation - mineral extraction
-precious metals found in the rainforest
-areas mined can experience soil and water contamination
-indigenous people are becoming displaced from their land due to roads being built to transport products
causes of deforestation - energy development
-high rainfall creates ideal conditions for hydro electric power
-the balun dam in Malaysia is key for creating energy in this developing country however both people and environment have suffered
-flooded over 700km of land
causes of deforestation- agriculture/farming
-commercial farming- large areas of forest converted to palm oil plantations in 1970s
-subsistence farming
- small scale - local communities hunt and gather food
- slash and burn using fire to clear the land, produces co2 and fires can get out of control
-increase in palm oil is making soil infertile
-river saltation and soil erosion increasing due to large areas of exposed land
causes of deforestation - road building
-roads are needed to bring supplies and provide access to new mining areas, settlements and energy projects
-in Malaysia logging companies use an extensive network of roads for heavy machinery and to transport wood
causes of deforestation - tourism
-mass tourism is resulting in building of hotels in vulnerable areas
-lead to negative relationship between the government and tribes
-exposed animals to human diseases
causes of deforestation - population pressure
- transmigration, poor urban people encouraged by government to move to countryside
-between 1956-1980s around 15,000 hectares of rainforest was cleared so people can move there
impacts of deforestation - economic development
+ mining farming and logging creates employment and tax income for government
+products such as palm oil provide valuable income for countries
-the loss of biodiversity will reduce tourism
-less resources
impacts of deforestation- soil erosion
-once the land is exposed by deforestation the soil in vulnerable to rain
-with no roots to bind soil together it can easily wash away
impacts of deforestation - climate change
-when rainforests cut down the climate becomes drier
-trees are carbon sinks, more deforestation creates more emissions
-when trees are burnt they release more carbon into the atmosphere which will enhance the greenhouse effect
why is there high rates of biodiversity in rainforest
-warm and wet climate encourages a wide range of vegetation to grow
-rapid recycling of nutrients to speed plant growth
-most of the rainforest is untouched
issues with biodiversity decline
-could cause tribes to be unable to survive
-plants and animals become extinct
-key medical plants may become extinct
why do rainforests need to be managed
- to ensure they remain a lasting resource for future generations
-to allow valuable rainforest to be used without causing long term damage
sustainable management of rainforests - selective logging
-trees felled when they reach a particular height or age
-preserves trees and reduces clear felling
sustainable management of rainforests - conservation and education
-can be preserved in national parks and nature reserves
-large international businesses have supported conservation projects in exchange for research or materials
sustainable management of rainforests - ecotourism
-countries have promoted their forests for ecotourism
-aims to introduce people to the natural world, benefit local communities and protect environment
-more sustainable and profitable
sustainable management of rainforests - international agreements and debt reduction
-agreements made to protect forests
-countries borrow money to fund developments, reduce debt in exchange for less destruction
what is agro-forestry
growing trees and crops at the same time, prevents soil erosion and crops benefit from nutrients
