Deforestation Study Guide

Flashcards covering the definitions, causes, impacts, and solutions of deforestation as discussed in the lecture notes.

Deforestation

The clearing or thinning of forests by humans, representing a significant global land use issue.

Urbanization

One of the three main causes of deforestation, alongside agricultural expansion and logging/timber extraction.

Afforestation

The process of planting trees to convert historically non-forested or empty land into a forest.

Reforestation

The replanting of trees in an area where the forest has been depleted or removed.

Bamboo

A fast-growing, versatile, and renewable resource that can replace wood in flooring and construction; it regenerates quickly without needing replanting.

Engineered strawboard

A strong, biodegradable alternative to particleboard and plywood made from agricultural waste like wheat or rice straw.

Soil Erosion

An environmental impact of deforestation that, in the future, could be accelerated and permanently reduce agricultural production.

Ebola

A disease whose outbreak in the DRC is linked to deforestation caused by fruit bats losing their habitat.

Fruit bats

Calculated as the carriers of Ebola; they spread the disease to other areas when they lose their habitat to deforestation.

Sustainable agriculture

A possible solution to deforestation that involves shifting farming practices to be more environmentally friendly.

Unsustainable palm oil

A component in certain products that people are encouraged to avoid to help combat deforestation.