Science Term 2 - How Data is Collected and Used to Monitor Land Clearing and Deforestation

Ecology: the study of how living things interact with their environment 

Land Clearing: consists of the destruction of the above-ground biomass of native vegetation and its substantial replacement by a non-local species or by humans.

This includes: - clearance of native vegetation for crops, improved pasture, plantations, gardens, houses, mines, buildings, and roads.

                          - infilling of wetlands

                          - Dumping material on dry land native vegetation

Deforestation: intentional clearing of forested land (the permanent loss of forest, when land is cleared and converted to another use)

Such as: agriculture, infrastructure, or urban development

Permanence: the forest does not regenerate

Loss: trees and the ecosystem are removed

Conversion: the land is turned into another purpose

Biodiversity loss: habitat loss (the biggest threat to threatened species).

Climate change: drives carbon emission

Soil and water decline: increase erosion and pollution

What are the reasons for land clearing and deforestation? Agriculture, logging, urbanisation, mining, fuel (for firewood)

How can we monitor biodiversity and the landscape? Field surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite images.

Aerial photographs are a method of acquiring images from the air. This can be from airborne craft, such as aeroplanes, drones, and balloons. It is useful for surveying difficult-to-reach areas.

Satellite images are the process of capturing usual data of the Earth's surface from a satellite orbiting our planet. It is equipped with specialised cameras & sensors that capture high-resolution images.

What is the purpose of a field survey? To help ecologists determine the distribution and abundance of species.

Quad: a square grid (4x4) to measure within a square frame placed directly on top of the area that is studied.

Transect: Measurement along in across a straight line