Indonesian Rainforest Case Study

Question 1

What are the main causes of deforestation in Indonesia?

Answer 1

Commercial Farming, Logging, Mineral Extraction, Subsistence farming and fuel wood, Population growth and settlement, Roads

Question 2

What is Commercial Farming?

Answer 2

Farming to sell products for a profit.

Question 3

What is Indonesia the biggest exporter of?

Answer 3

Palm Oil

Question 4

What are the main ways to mitigate the impacts of changes to the water and carbon cycle?

Answer 4

-Modifying deforestation, Modifying grasslands use, Modifying Croplands and Political Efforts

Question 5

How can modifying deforestation help mitigate impacts?

Answer 5

• Consumers encouraged to buy wood grown sustainably.

- Organisations make carbon offset payments, which might involve paying for trees to be protected or planted

Question 6

How can modifying grasslands use help mitigate impacts?

Answer 6

• Avoidance of overstocking glazing animals

- Revegetation - Improving pasture species and legumes increases plant productivity.

Question 7

How can political efforts help mitigate impacts?

Answer 7

• Indonesia has launched major campaigns against illegal logging and deforestation
• Attempted to enforce law against plantations on deep peat and preventing fires on peatland

Question 8

How does modifying Croplands help mitigate impacts?

Answer 8

• Rotations of cash crops with pasture have the potential to increase biomass returned to soil
• Trees in croplands can store carbon above and below ground. CO2 emissions can be reduced if grown as a renewable energy source

Question 9

What are some key rainforest characteristics?

Answer 9

• 2000mm average rainfall yearly

- average 27 degrees temperature throughout year

Question 10

What is an example of a negative feedback loop between carbon and water cycles?

Answer 10

Increased surface temperatures due to carbon - Increased growth of plants - Carbon absorbed during photosynthesis - Carbon locked up in woody tissues and leaves - Reduced amounts of carbon in atmosphere - Slightly reduced surface temperatures

Question 11

What are some local impacts to the water/carbon cycle?

Answer 11

• Local removal of vegetation increases surface runoff and soil compaction
• Less interception because of less tree cover

Question 12

What is the impact on vegetation as areas become drier?

Answer 12

Plants will slow their rates of photosynthesis and plants & animal reproduction drops