LW - Case Study Malaysia

Question 1

How much of the primary rainforest is still there?

Answer 1

18%

Question 2

What is Malaysia made up of?

Answer 2

Peninsular Malaysia and Eastern Malaysia

Question 3

Give 6 threats to Malaysia’s rainforests

Answer 3

• Logging
• Energy
• Mining
• Commercial plantations
• Resettlement
• Fires

Question 4

Explain the threat of Logging

Answer 4

• In 1980s worlds largest exporter of tropical wood
• ‘Clear felling’ (clearance of all trees) -> total destruction of forests
• ‘Selective logging’ although better (ecological trees kept) reduces biodiversity + road construction
• Illegal logging -> marginal slopes logged -> soil erosion + mudslides
• Indigenous tribes threatened - imprisoned member of Penan community for protesting against logging

Question 5

How much of Malaysia is forested and commercial?

Answer 5

60% forested

13% commercial trees crops - rubber and oil palm

Question 6

Explain the threat of energy on the forest

Answer 6

• In order to supply hydroelectric power - 230km squared of virgin (primary) rainforest cut down
• 1000s of hectares of forest flooded
• 10,000 indigenous people forced to move. Many subsistence farmers with little money pay to be rehoused -> suffer from depression and alcoholism.

Question 7

Explain the threat of mining on the forest

Answer 7

• Tin mining and melting dominate
• Led to pollution of land and rivers
• Drilling for oil and gas has started

Question 8

Explain the threat of commercial planations

Answer 8

15,000 hectares felled to acommadate new settlers between 1956 and 1980s

Question 9

Explain the threat of fires on the forest

Answer 9

• Lightning strike natural fires
• ‘Slash and burn’ agriculture (small areas of land cleared for agriculture)
  Can result in wildfires

Question 10

Why was the National Forest Policy implemented?

Answer 10

Improvements in technology (e,g chainsaws and trucks) led to widespread logging after WW2.

Question 11

What are aims of the National Forest Act of 1977

Answer 11

• Develop timber processing -> increase profitability and reduce demand for raw wood.
• Alternative timber sourcing(e.g rubber trees)
• Increase public awareness + involve local community in projects
• Increase research into forestry

Question 12

What was the main initiatives and what was the problem with it?

Answer 12

• ‘Selective management system’ recognised as one of the worlds most sustainable approaches in the world.
• BUT lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor result in illegal activities + unsuccessful replanting strategies.

Question 13

What are the Permanent Forest Estates & National Parks and what is the effect on the Malaysian forest?

Answer 13

• They are areas ld protected developement

- 10% of primary forest has special conservation status

Question 14

What does the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) do to prevent threats?

Answer 14

• International organisation promoting sustainable forestry
• Educates manufacturers + consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources
• Reduces demand for rare tropical hardwoods (e.g mahogany)

Question 15

How is tourism being managed?

Answer 15

• ‘Ecotourism’ aims to get people in nature without causing environmental damage
• Small groups of people with local guides -> proving local employment.
• Nature based activities + limited transport

Question 16

What is debt relief?

Answer 16

Giving rainforest a monetary value + paying countries to maintain them by reducing debt

Question 17

What are Carbon sinks?

Answer 17

Recognising forests role in reducing global warming as acting as carbon sink.
International organisation which can support National Parks.