Unit 3 AOS2- Deforestation

Question 1

Deforestation

Answer 1

The long-term reduction of tree canopy cover to below 10-30% of its original cover (depending on the type of forest)

Question 2

Forests are cleared and modified because…

Answer 2

A source of wood and non timber products.
To change the land cover to accommodate for settlements, farms, dams and mines.
As a result of natural disasters (drought, fire and landslides)

Question 3

Forest degradation

Answer 3

Not deforestation. Forests modified by human activities (selective logging, replanting, shifting cultivation and wood fuel collection. More than 10-30% of the forest remaining.

Question 4

Fragmentation

Answer 4

(Protracted deforestation) Clearing of pockets of land mostly for roads, leaving pockets of forests. Over time edges of forest pockets become degraded and pockets become too small to support viable ecosystems

Question 5

Afforestation

Answer 5

Trees are planted on land that was not previously forested (seeding or replanting)

Question 6

Net forest change

Answer 6

Difference between deforested land (lost and forest gains. Net forest change can be positive (where forest expansion results) or negative (when forest loss is greater)

Question 7

Forests

Answer 7

• land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 metres and a canopy cover of more than 10% not including land under urban or agricultural land use

Question 8

Primary forests

Answer 8

Primary forests or ‘old growth’ have remained relatively undisturbed for centuries and are dominated by natural processes.

Question 8

Secondary forests

Answer 8

Secondary forests or ‘regrowth’ consist of native species that have been disturbed by human activities but have been allowed to regenerate naturally or humans have intervened in their development e.g. replanting, will eventually develop into a climax community though it could take hundreds of years.

Question 9

Plantations

Answer 9

Plantations are a ‘monoculture’ of native or non-native trees planted for the commercial production of a particular species or for environmental services like erosion control.

Question 10

Geospatial technology

Answer 10

Digital tools that organise and collect data by referencing the information collected to a point on the earth’s surface using latitude and longitude

Question 11

Dieback events-

Answer 11

when over 10% dominant canopy disappears due to higher temperatures causing a lack of water causing infestations

Question 12

Spatial Technology question

Answer 12

1. Definition of spatial technology
2. Types of spatial tech (GNSS, GIS and Remote sensing)
3. What type is used in case study
4. Where is it being used
5. When did it come into use
6. Who is responsible for implementing it
7. What were the reasons for its implementation
8. What are its aims
9. What are the major features
10. How does it operate
11. What are its strengths and weaknesses

Question 13

Evaluate

Answer 13

1. Location of MGIS/Deforestation
2. Impacts of MGIS/Deforestation
3. Response name and effectiveness
4. Background information for response
5. Criterion for evaluation
6. Justification for criterion
   Evaluation of response using criterion
7. Positives
8. Negatives
9. Opportunities and threats
10. Conclusion

Question 14

Possible Criterion for evaluation

Answer 14

1. Have the targets/aims been met?
2. Are the targets/aims achievable?
3. Is the response economically, socially and environmentally sustainable?