tropical rainforests Costa Rica

Question 1

-goods

Answer 1

• source of food like fruits and nuts for indigenous tribes.
• diverse range of plant species; key ingredients in drugs.
• .timber for manufacturing furniture, for construction and for fuel.

Question 2

-services

Answer 2

• acts as a carbon store, taking in up to 2 Billion tonnes every year of CO2.
• source of revenue, with the rainforest a popular tourist attraction.

Question 3

-carbon credits

Answer 3

-Wealthy countries but them to offset the carbon emissions they produce.
-this is a way Costa Rica can earn money without having to cut down the rainforest.
in 1999, this idea generated US$20 Million for the country.

Question 4

-ecotourism

Answer 4

• the idea was to show the the rainforest is a valuable economic resource that should be protected.
• the reserve looks after 500 hectares and has indirectly conserved another 1,000 hectares.
• it fulfils the government criteria for environmental management and social management as all of the employees are from the local village of Las Horquetas.

Question 5

-government policies

Answer 5

• in 1979 laws were passed giving tax deductions and grants to owners of rainforest if they conserved their area and used it to benefit society.
• in 1995, the government set up national parks to protect 18% of the country’s territory.
• in 1997, the government introduced the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism for businesses that can provide their commitment to it.

Question 6

-sustainable agriculture

Answer 6

• deforested areas are being used to support the country economically.
• commercial crops such as bananas and cocoa are being grown and sold for export.