Tropical rainforests

Question 1

Give examples of goods + services of the tropical rainforest

Answer 1

• GOODS: building materials, water, medicines, food crops
• SERVICES: air purification (absorbs CO2), wildlife habitats, biodiversity, water + nutrient recycling

Question 2

What is logging?

Answer 2

• 1980s logging of Borneo lead to Malaysia being the nbiggest exporter tropical wood
• clear felling - all trees are cut down
• leads to destruction of of forest habitats
• reduces biodiversity
• trucks are required to come in to TRF to collect
• selective logging - only cut down the trees you need

Question 3

What is Hydro Electric Power (HEP)?

Answer 3

• Bakun Dam project in Sarawak - completed in 2012
• thousands of hectares flooded to create dam
• 230km2 of rainforest cut down
• 1000 people forced to move

Question 4

What is mining?

Answer 4

• areas of rainforest need to be cleared so that mines can be set up
• leads to pollution
• drilling for oil - Borneo

Question 5

What is transmigration?

Answer 5

• people in urban areas are forced to move to the countryside
• 15000 ha of rainforest were cut down

Question 6

What are fires used for (deforestation)?

Answer 6

• common in Borneo
• some natural (lightning)
• caused for forest clearance
• loss of wildlife habitats

Question 7

What is commercial plantation?

Answer 7

• Malaysia - producer of palm oil + rubber
• forests cleared to make plantations
• Malaysia - largest producer of palm oil
• threatening species of wildlife (orangutan)