2.2.2 Deforestation

Question 1

What is meant by ‘deforestation’?

Answer 1

The clearing of large areas of tropical rainforest for various purposes such as farming, logging, mining, and infrastructure development.

Question 2

How is farming contributing to deforestation?

Answer 2

Large areas of tropical rainforest are cleared for pastoral farming and arable farming to meet the global demand for meat and cash crops.

Question 3

What impact does logging have on deforestation?

Answer 3

Tropical rainforests are cut down for valuable timber such as mahogany and for making paper products.

Question 4

What impact does mining have on deforestation?

Answer 4

The extraction of natural resources like iron ore, copper, tin, and gold leads to the clearance of tropical rainforest areas.

Question 5

What impact does road construction have on deforestation?

Answer 5

The construction of roads for farmers, loggers, and miners results in the destruction of large parts of the rainforest.

Question 6

Link between Hydroelectric power (HEP) and deforestation?

Answer 6

The building of HEP stations in the Amazon Basin leads to the flooding of large forest areas for reservoirs and dams.

Question 7

How does deforestation impact soil erosion?

Answer 7

Deforestation results in soil erosion as the nutrients in the soil are washed away, making it infertile and easily eroded.

Question 8

What impact does deforestation have on loss of biodiversity?

Answer 8

Deforestation reduces the variety of plant and animal species in the tropical rainforest, impacting the food web.

Question 9

What impact does deforestation have on climate change ?

Answer 9

Deforestation contributes to global warming as fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.