Malaysia (Rainforests) Flashcards
Where is Malaysia?
South East Asia
How much of Malaysia is tropical rainforest?
67% but deforestation is decreasing rainforest coverage
What are the economic gains for deforestation in Malaysia?
- Job creation
- Tax Revenue
- Improved transport
- Plantations products support industries
- HEP is cheap + plentiful
- Minerals are valuable
What are thare economic losses for deforestation in Malaysia?
- Water pollution and an increasingly dry climate could lead to water shortages
- Fires pollute + destroy areas of valuable forest
- Rising temperatures could devastate established farms
- Medical plants could become extinct
- Climate change could have economic costs
- Rainforest tourism could decrease
What are the 3 threats to Malaysia’s rainforests?
LOGGING - in the 80s Malaysia were the highest exporter of high valued wood -> has now been swapped with selective logging
which is more sustainable
MINERAL EXTRACTION - tin, oil and gas drilling is being established for economic gains
FARMING:
Industrial- largest exporter of palm oil, slash’n’burn fires can grow out of control and burning of trees releases large amounts of CO2
Subsistence - small communities setting up farms, mostly sustainable and is not a huge contributor to deforestation
