Water and Carbon Cycles in Indonesia and Exmoor: Environmental Impact and Restoration

What is the significance of Indonesia's tropical climate in relation to carbon?

It is ideal for plant growth and acts as the 'lungs of the earth', with wood containing 50% carbon, making it an important carbon sink.

What are the four main products driving deforestation in Indonesia?

Pulp, paper, plywood, and palm oil.

What percentage of Indonesia's rainforest remained by the mid-2000s?

Just over half of the original forest.

What is the estimated annual loss of forest in Indonesia?

Approximately 1 million hectares per year.

What are the two types of soil contributing to deforestation in Indonesia?

Mineral-rich soil (70%) and carbon-rich peatland (30%).

What is the impact of slash and burn practices in Indonesia?

It leads to wildfires that release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

Which countries are the largest greenhouse gas emitters after Indonesia?

The USA and China.

What caused the 1997-1998 wildfires in Indonesia to have severe pollution effects?

Smoke particles containing black carbon caused haze and spread pollution.

How many hectares of land were burnt by wildfires in Indonesia during 1997-1998?

8 million hectares.

What was the carbon emission equivalent to the 2015 wildfires in Sumatra and Kalimantan?

The equivalent of the UK's total annual emissions, 495.7 million tonnes of carbon.

What is the length of the River Exe?

82.7 km.

What is the maximum elevation of the upper catchment of the River Exe?

514 meters.

What percentage of the River Exe's catchment is underlain by impermeable rock?

84.4%.

What is the primary land use in the upper catchment of the River Exe?

Agricultural grassland (67%).

What is the water balance equation for Exmoor?

Precipitation (1295mm) = Evaporation +/- soil water storage (451mm) + runoff (844mm).

What effect does impermeable rock have on the water cycle in Exmoor?

It reduces percolation.

What is the purpose of the Wimbleball Reservoir?

To supply water to Exeter and East Devon during summer, preventing peaks and troughs in water supply.

What is the goal of the Exmoor Mires Project?

To restore 2000ha of Exmoor to bog, increasing water storage and improving water quality.

How much of the Exmoor Mires Project had been restored by 2015?

Over 1000ha restored and 100km of ditches blocked.

What is one benefit of restoring peatland in terms of carbon storage?

Carbon is naturally absorbed by peat when wet, making them effective carbon sinks.

How does slower throughflow improve water quality in rivers?

It carries less sediment, resulting in cleaner water that is less expensive to treat.