The Living World -Case Study of a Tropical Rainforest – Malaysian Rainforest

Question 1

Malaysia is located

Answer 1

in south-east Asia and has experienced rapid deforestation.

Question 2

Deforestation

Answer 2

Trees used to be clear-felled to harvest tropical wood, leading to rapid deforestation in the 1980s.
An area is clear-felled if all the trees are removed from an area one at a time.

Question 3

Exports

Answer 3

Malaysia is the world’s largest exporter of palm oil.

The rainforest has been cleared to make room for commercial farming.

Question 4

Migration

Answer 4

The government has encouraged people to move into rainforest areas to reduce the pressure on cities (transmigration).

Question 5

Damming the river

Answer 5

The government has tried to improve energy supplies for Malaysian industry and people.
The Bakun HEP Dam was built to improve energy supplies using hydroelectric power.
The Bakun HEP Dam has flooded large areas of rainforest.

Question 6

Economic development

Answer 6

The Bakun HEP dam has provided jobs for construction workers and energy to support developing industries in Malaysia.
As businesses benefit, the amount of tax they pay the government increases.
The increased tax received by the government can be reinvested into public services like health and education

Question 7

Soil erosion

Answer 7

Trees intercept rain and bind soils.
When trees are removed, the soils are easily washed away.
Changes to the microclimate make soils drier so soil erosion is more severe.

Question 8

Contribution to climate change

Answer 8

Rainforests store carbon in the trees.
Carbon is released if the trees are burnt.
Releasing carbon adds to the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.
Fewer trees also mean less absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.