Malaysia (deforestation)

Question 1

What and where in the continent is Malaysia?

Answer 1

South East Asia

Question 2

How much of the land in Malaysia is covered by tropical vegetation?

Answer 2

67%

Question 3

What was the total area of forest lost in Malaysia between 2000 and 2013?

Answer 3

An area larger than Denmark

Question 4

What 7 causes of deforestation are there in Malaysia?

Answer 4

Logging
Road building
Mineral extraction
Energy development
Commercial farming
Subsistence farming
Population pressure

Question 5

When did Malaysia become the worlds largest exporter of tropical wood (linked with logging)?

Answer 5

1980s

Question 6

Why is road building linked to deforestation in Malaysia (4 things)?

Answer 6

Logging requires roads to take away timber and bring in machinery
Roads are needed for access to mining areas
Roads are needed for new settlements
Roads are needed for new energy projects

Question 7

What minerals are commonly extracted in Peninsula Malaysia? What about Borneo?

Answer 7

Tin and Smelting in Peninsula Malaysia

Oil and gas in Borneo

Question 8

What is the name of the hydroelectric dam in Malaysia? Where does it supply energy to? When did it start? What area of land has it flooded?

Answer 8

The Bakun Dam
Supplies energy for industrialised Peninsula Malaysia
Started in 2011
The dam’s reservoir floods 700km^2 of forest and farmland

Question 9

What is Malaysia the worlds largest exporter of?

Answer 9

Palm oil

Question 10

What do palm oil plantation owners receive?

Answer 10

A 10 year tax incentive

Question 11

What year were huge areas of land converted to palm oil plantations?

Answer 11

1970s

Question 12

Describe two methods of subsistence farming

Answer 12

Tribal people clear small pockets of rainforest to hunt, gather food and plant crops
Another method is slash and burn - using fire to clear land

Question 13

How does population pressure affect deforestation?

Answer 13

Poor urban people were encouraged to move from cities to the countryside and between 1956 - 1980s 15,000 hectares of rainforest were felled for the settlers

Question 14

How does deforestation effect soil?

Answer 14

It causes soil erosion

The roots that were binding soil together that are now gone mean soil is loose and erodes away easily

Question 15

How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Answer 15

It destroys ecosystems and habitats, leading to a loss of biodiversity

Question 16

Why are Malaysia’s plants significant?

Answer 16

There are many undiscovered ones which could be cures for diseases

Question 17

How many species are there in Malaysia?

Answer 17

Over 600

Question 18

What species do palm oil plantations threaten, and when do scientists predict they will become extinct?

Answer 18

Orangutans and in 10 years

Question 19

How does deforestation contribute to climate change?

Answer 19

Less photosynthesis -> less carbon dioxide absorbed and less oxygen emitted
Carbon dioxide is responsible for global warming
Less transpiration -> drier climate (no water evaporation from trees) -> hotter climate (moisture cools atmosphere)

Question 20

How is deforestation positive economically for locals?

Answer 20

It creates jobs both directly and indirectly

Question 21

How is improved transport infrastructure (due to deforestation) in Malaysia positive?

Answer 21

Opens up areas of land for factories and tourism

Question 22

How are new companies a positive impact of deforestation?

Answer 22

They pay taxes to the government which can improve development when spent on healthcare and education

Question 23

What could cause water shortages, linked with deforestation?

Answer 23

Polluted water and a dry climate

Question 24

What kind of energy will be cheap and plentiful as a result of deforestation?

Answer 24

Hydroelectric

Question 25

What in relation to deforestation can easily become out of control, causing pollution and huge environmental damage?

Answer 25

The use of fire in clearing large areas of forest

Question 26

Why do people burn trees to clear areas of land?

Answer 26

It’s fast and leaves the soil nutrient-rich (fertile)

Question 27

What could devastate some forms of farming, such as tea, fruit and flower farming?

Answer 27

Rising temperatures

Question 28

What is a concern about the growing number of endangered plants?

Answer 28

Many could bring high profits and medical benefits

Question 29

What could happen to the number of tourists visiting an area following deforestation?

Answer 29

It could decrease

Question 30

Why is a decrease in tourism negative?

Answer 30

It brings jobs for the locals and benefits the economy through the introduction of “new” money