Deforestation and Forest Conservation

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts, statistics, and organizations related to deforestation and global forest conservation efforts based on the lecture transcript.

Deforestation

The process of cutting down forests faster than they can naturally regrow.

Amazon deforestation

The loss of approximately $17\%$ of the Amazon rainforest since $1970$.

Global deforestation

The loss of approximately $7.6M$ hectares of forest per year, with a net loss of approximately $3.3M$ hectares.

Brazil Forest Code

A law requiring landowners to keep between $35-80\%$ of their land forested, which remains difficult to enforce.

IBAMA

The environmental enforcement agency of Brazil.

Cerrado

A biodiverse Brazilian savanna that is currently less protected than the Amazon forest.

Forest

An ecosystem characterized by dense trees, covering approximately $31\%$ of the Earth.

Forest biomes

The different types of forest ecosystems, including boreal, tropical, temperate, and dry.

Forest canopy

The top layer of trees that blocks sunlight and shapes the overall ecosystem.

Value of forests

Forests serve to absorb $\text{CO}_2$, protect soil and water, and support biodiversity.

Chico Mendes

An activist dedicated to protecting the Amazon who was killed for his work.

Rubber tappers

Workers who harvest rubber in a way that does not require cutting down trees.

Home Depot case

An instance where a major company was pressured to stop sourcing wood through unsustainable methods.

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)

An activist group that exerts pressure on companies to improve their environmental practices.

Causes of deforestation

Major drivers include timber extraction, cattle ranching, and the production of palm oil, coffee, cocoa, and soy.

Debt-for-nature swaps

A financial arrangement where a portion of a country's debt is forgiven in exchange for conservation commitments.

TAC (beef agreement)

An agreement that tries to reduce deforestation caused by the cattle industry, though it has faced criticism.

Palm oil products

A versatile ingredient found in various foods, cosmetics, and fuels.

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

A group that promotes the production and use of sustainable palm oil.

Rainforest Alliance

A labeling system used to identify products that are environmentally responsible.

Bird-Friendly

A certification for products from shade-grown farms that protect bird habitats.

Shade-grown

Crops grown under the cover of trees, which results in less deforestation.

Fair Trade

A system that ensures fair wages for workers, which indirectly supports environmental sustainability.

Cocoa & Forests Initiative

A program aimed at stopping illegal cocoa farming within forest areas.

ITTA

The agreement that promotes sustainable tropical timber trade.

ITTO

An organization that monitors forest management on an international level.

International Forests Day

An awareness day observed annually on $\text{March } 21$.

Forestry Management Act

A United States law governing the management of national forests.

Antiquities Act

A law that allows the U.S. president to protect land by designating it as a national monument.

National Park Service

The agency responsible for managing national parks in the United States.

Controlled burns

Planned, intentional fires used as a management tool to prevent larger, uncontrolled wildfires.

Wildlife refuges / land trusts

Designated protected areas used for the purpose of conservation.

Deserts

very dry areas with little rainfall

desertification

land becoming desert due to climate + human activity h

how much land is being lost due to desertification?

10 million hectares per year

drylands

low rainfall areas (41% of earth, 2B+ people)

carrying capacity

max population land can support

largest desserts

sahara, arabian, gobi, antarctica

challenges of desertification

farming loss, hunger, flooding, poor water, migration, poverty

2020 locust plague (africa)

massive swarms destroying crops ended in ~2022

causes of desertification

overgrazing, deforestation, poor farming, urbanization, climate change, resource extraction, natural disasters

acacia trees

restore soil and prevent desertification gum

gum arabic

substance from acacia used in food, medicine, etc

global policy

rio conference (1992) - led to global desertification action

UNCCD - UN agreement to fight desertification and restore land

stringer critique

UNCCD too focused on short-term; not connec

great green wall

tree barrier across africa to stop desert spread. length - 8000km, status 15% complete, accomplishments: millions of hectares restored, trees planted, food increased

solutions to desertification

policy changes: regulate land use. education: teach sustainable farming. technology: improve farming methods. rehabilitation: restore damaged land. sustainable practices: prevent further damage.

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