Physical- Ecosystems Flashcards
Why is deforestation happening?
Mineral extractions To create space for settlements Building dams&reservoirs Small scale farming Commercial agriculture- cash crops Cattle farming Commercial logging
What is monoculture?
Where one species of crop is planted and managed to produce one product.
What are some of the environmental impacts of deforestation?
Less biodiversity
Less interception=increased surface runoff= risk of flooding
Removes nutrients from the soil
Reduces evapotranspiration means less water vapour so less rainfall
More atmospheric CO2
Label some of the social impacts created from deforestation.
More jobs created.
Loss of food and resources.
Some native tribes forced to move.
Incomes pose risk of disease&will eases to locals who aren’t immune.
Conflict between natives,landowners and companies over land use.
What are the economic impacts of deforestation?
Creation of jobs=more employment.
Money made from selling timber,mining and farming cash crops.
In the long term it destroys resources that countries depend on.
How is over exploitation damaging to the tropical rain forests?
It leads to the decline and extinction of some species which reduces biodiversity.
It can stop symbiotic relationships which affects multiple species and the whole ecosystem.
What is poaching?
The illegal hunting of animals.
How does climate change damage the rain forest environment?
Rainfall is decreasing which could lead to drought.
Species die in the hotter,drier weather.
Prolonged drought can cause forest fires.
What are the 2 ways to manage deforestation?
Selective logging and replanting.
What is selective logging?
Where only some trees are felled. It’s less damaging to the forest because it can regenerate itself.
Why can selective logging still damage the environment?
One tree falling can damage a further 30.
It can cause a patchy canopy which gives less protection to the underneath layers.
How does ecotourism benefit locals?
Locals act as guides as well as providing accommodation and transport for the tourists- giving them a source of income.
How is ecotourism a way of sustainable management?
Only small numbers of visitors are allowed at one time.
Staff and visitors are encouraged to conserve water and dispose waste properly.
Reduces logging&farming because people now get money from working in tourism.
Why doesn’t ecotourism help with the local community and host country?
Companies run the ecotourism so money money is sent back to the MEDC where the company is located.
Jobs in tourism are menial and low paid.
What are the 4 other ways of sustainable management in tropical rain forests?
Environmental laws.
Protection of areas.
Reducing the demand for hardwood.
Reducing the debt owed by the host country.
