geography year 10- Malaysia rainforest (case study)

what is deforestation?

cutting down or clearing large areas of forest

how does subsistence farming cause deforestation?

1. clearing lad for crops

2. slash-and-burn method

how does commercial farming cause deforestation?

1. clearing land for large plantations 

2. open land is needed so tractors and other vehicles can drive around

how does logging cause deforestation?

1. tree removal 

2. the process often damages surrounding trees 

3. road building 

4. loss of regeneration- forest isn’t able to recover because it can’t regrow

how does mineral extraction cause deforestation?

1. clearing land for mines 

2. infrastructure development 

3. pollution and soil degradation 

how does energy development like the Bakun Dam cause deforestation?

1. flooding large areas 

2. clearing land for construction

3. relocation of people and settlements- new settlements may be built elsewhere leading to more clearing

how does population growth cause deforestation?

1. need for more land to live on

2. more farming land needed 

3. increase in demand for fuelwood and raw materials

4. urban sprawl (urbanisation)

what are the positive impacts of deforestation?

1. make a profit from selling materials 

2. more job opportunities 

3. infrastructure growth 

4. land for settlements and agriculture 

5. space for renewable energy sources

what are the negative economic impacts of deforestation?

1. loss of resources for the future (overlogging)

2. soil erosion and nutrient loss

3. impact of tourism

4. flooding and natural disasters leading to huge repair costs

5. polluted rivers

6. loss of habitats

7. cost of climate change- more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere

how does deforestation cause soil erosion? why is this bad?

tree roots no longer hold the soil, rain hits the ground directly, and fertile topsoil is washed or blown sway.

it is bad as it reduces fertility, increases floods, damages infrastructure, harms ecosystems and makes land unusable- affecting both people and the environment.