Deforestation

Deforestation

The removal of trees faster than forests can replace them

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Logging

The cutting down of trees for commercial purposes

Mining

The excavation of the earth for the purpose of extracting ore or minerals, particularly gold, iron ore, bauxite and oil

Cattle Ranching

Raising herds of cattle on an extensive farm. The cattle/ beef exports are worth $4 billion to the Brazilian economy

Slash and burn

A farming method involving the cutting of trees, then burning them to provide ash-enriched soil for crops

Cash Crops

These crops are grown for export rather than for feeding the local population, such as palm oil, soybeans and coffee. High demand leads to over cultivation, stripping the soil of nutrients

Population Pressure

When population per unit area exceeds the carrying capacity

Hydro-electric power

Dams are used to generate hydro-electric power from rivers, flooding large areas of land to create reservoirs

Trans-Amazonian Highway

A long highway that extends into the Amazon rainforest and gives access to logging companies

With no trees to hold the soil together, what happens?

Heavy rain washes away the soil, this can then lead to landslides and flooding

Without a tree canopy to intercept rainfall, what happens to the soil?

More water reaches the soil. This then leads to leaching and reduces soil fertility

Why does deforestation lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect?

Trees removes CO2 from the atmosphere, also burning vegtation creates CO2. So deforestation means there is more CO2 in the atmosphere. Deforestation is responsible for at least 15% of global CO2 emissions

What does logging, farming and mining create?

Jobs, money

In the long term, deforestation can destroy the resources that countries depend eg timber. What does this then reuce the appeal for?

Tourism

How does deforestation affect local people?

It can cause the loss of plants and animals which they depend on

What is the rate of deforestation?

130 000 km²

What area does the Amazon Rainforest cover?

8 million km²

Including parts of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana

How much of the Amazon has been destroyed since 1978?

750 000 km²

Trees can store CO2, when trees are chopped down they release some of this contributing to what?

Greenhouse effect and then global warming

Soy farming has caused Brazil to lose how much topsoil every year?

55 million tonnes

How much money did Brazil make from trading cattle in 2008?

$6.9 billion

How many people does the Buenaventura Mining Company in Peru employ?

3100 people

What effect does deforestation have on local rubber tappers?

Lost their livelihoods as the trees have been cut down

Selective Logging

Only some trees (older or inferior ones) are felled

Less damaging to the forest than felling all the trees in an area - overall forest structure is kept, topsoil isnt exposed

Trees are removed from the area using horses and helicopters which is less damagng than using large lorries

Replanting

New trees are planted to replace the ones that are cut down

This means there will be trees for people in the future to use

It is important that the same type of tree is planted so variety is kept

Ecotourism

Tourism that minimises damage to the environment and benefits the local people

Environmental impacts are minimised - eg making sure litter is disposed of properly

Provides a source of income for local people

Local people then dont have to log or farm to make an income meaning fewer trees are cut down

If a countries economy depends on ecotourism there is an incentive to conserve the environment

Has been successful in Costa Rica and has led to 21% of the country being protected from development

International Hardwood Agreements

Hardwoods like mahogany and teak are used for building furniture

High demand for hardwoods means some tropical trees are becoming rarer

There are international agreements to reduce illegal logging and promote sustainably manged forests

Example - the Forest Stewardship Council

Education

Education of the international community about the impacts of deforestation can encourage people to buy products that are sustainably sourced

Some local people dont know what the environmental impacts of deforestation are

Educating people on the impacts and ways to reduce deforestation

Educating people on alternative, environmentally friendly ways to make money

Reducing Debt

TRFs are often found in LICs

They can borrow money from wealthier countries or organisations to fund development schemes or cope with emergencies

This money has to be paid back with interest

These countries then use logging, farming and mining to pay back this debt

So reducing debt means countries dont have to do this and can be conserved for the future

Debt can be cancelled but there is no guarantee that the money that would have been used to pay back the debt will be used for conservation

A better option is conservation swap where part of a countries debt is payed off in exchange for a guarantee that the money is used for conservation

E.g. In 2008 the USA reduced Peru’s debt by $25 million in exchange for rainforest conservation

Conservation

Many countries have set up national parks and nature reserves

In these areas damaging activities are restricted, however a lack of funds can make it difficult to police these restrictions

As a result, some countries have set up funds wich overseas goverments and businesses can invest in. The countries get money in exchange for conservation

E.g. Norway has paid $1 billion into Brazils Amazon Fund to be used for conservation