TRF Case study

Question 1

What issue are the TRF’s in the Amazon Basin facing?

Answer 1

Deforestation

Question 2

How is farming affecting the TRF’s in the Amazon Basin?

Answer 2

Areas of Rainforest are being cleared for Pastoral and Arable farming to take place. There has been an increase in the world’s demand for cattle so there has been an equal increase of pastoral farming

Question 3

Why is logging affecting deforestation in TRF’s?

Answer 3

tropical rainforests are cut down so that valuable trees like mahogany can be accessed and sold for timber to make furniture. Other trees are cut down to make paper products.

Question 4

Why is mining affecting TRF’s in the Amazon Basin?

Answer 4

the Amazon Basin is rich in natural resources such as iron ore, copper, tin, aluminium, manganese and gold. This has led to the development of mines which results in the clearance of tropical rainforest. The Carajas mine in Brazil is the world’s largest iron ore mine.

Question 5

How does the construction of roads affect TRF’s in the Amazon Basin?

Answer 5

the construction of access roads for farmers, loggers and miners results in large parts of the tropical rainforest being destroyed.

Question 6

How many square miles were lost due to the flooding for the Balbina Dam?

Answer 6

920 square miles

Question 7

Why are hydro-electric power sources affecting TRF’s in the Amazon Basin?

Answer 7

The creation of HEP stations in the Amazon Basin has resulted in large areas of forest being flooded to create the reservoirs and dams.

Question 8

How has population growth affected TRF’s in the Amazon Basin?

Answer 8

population growth has resulted in the loss of tropical rainforest as land is cleared to build houses and
infrastructure.

Question 9

Where is malaysia?

Answer 9

South East Asia

Question 10

What percentage of Malaysia’s land is covered by TRFs?

Answer 10

67%

Question 11

In the 1980s Malaysia became the world’s largest exporter of what natural resource?

Answer 11

Wood

Question 12

What is clear felling?

Answer 12

Where all the trees in a certain area are cut down

Question 13

How did clear felling affect Malaysia?

Answer 13

Clear felling caused a mass destruction of many habitats in Malaysia

Question 14

What is subsistence farming?

Answer 14

Where people farm for themselves

Question 15

What is commercial farming?

Answer 15

Farming for a profit

Question 16

What is slash and burn?

Answer 16

It is a way of clearing land, it destroys habitats but leaves many nutrients for plants behind, fires often can grow out of control

Question 17

In the 1970’s why were large areas of forest cleared?

Answer 17

To replace the areas with palm oil plantation

Question 18

What incentives did palm oil plantation owners receive?

Answer 18

A 10-year tax incentive

Question 19

What region is Peninsular Malaysia home to?

Answer 19

An upland region called the main region

Question 20

What title has the Main region gained?

Answer 20

The largest area of continuous rainforest left on the peninsula

Question 21

What percentage of plant species are in the Main region?

Answer 21

25%

Question 22

How many animal species are found in the main region?

Answer 22

600

Question 23

How does deforestation affect soil erosion?

Answer 23

After vegetation is cleared the soil is left exposed by rain or wind

Question 24

In Malaysia what creates many job opportunities?

Answer 24

Mining, farming and energy production

Question 25

In Malaysia what are the pros of hydro-electric power

Answer 25

Creates clean energy and job opportunities?

Question 26

What are cons of HEP in Malaysia?

Answer 26

Water shortages can become more popular due to a drier climate, water pollution

Question 27

what is the forestry stewardship council(FSC)?

Answer 27

An international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry

Question 28

What does the FSC do?

Answer 28

They try to educate manufacturers and consumers of the importance to source sustainable hardwood like mahogany

Question 29

What is debt for nature swapping?

Answer 29

Debt-for-nature swaps are financial transactions in which a portion of a developing nation’s foreign debt is forgiven in exchange for local investments in environmental conservation measures.

Question 30

What is selective logging?

Answer 30

Only felling trees which have the best timber or are suitable-not felling all trees in an area

Question 31

What is Malaysia’s selective management scheme? (In 7 steps and with time stamps)

Answer 31

1)2 years before felling:pre-felling study to see what is there
2)1 year before felling: arrows painted on trees to indicate direction of felling-doesn’t damage other trees
3)Trees are felled by license owners
4)3-6 months after felling: survey to check what has been felled-illegal felling prosecuted
5)2 years after felling: Treatment plan drawn up to restore forest
6)5-10 years after felling: Regeneration work by state forestry officials begin
7)30-40 years post-felling: Cycle begins again

Question 32

What is eco-tourism in Malaysia? What does this aim to do?

Answer 32

The use of its TRFs as a tourist attraction aims to introduce people to the natural world to benefit local communities and protect the environment

Question 33

How is the Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Malaysia sustainable?

Answer 33

-Sustainable electricity usage
-Practices rainwater harvesting
-Uses a dual flush system
-Equipped with a septic tank- no waste enters the river
-Rooms aren’t equipped with a radio or TV
-Lodge built with local hardwood species
-Provides employment for the local community
-organic material turned into compost