Amazon rainforest, Brazil

Question 1

What are the causes of subsistence farming?

Answer 1

Cattle ranching accounts for 80% of deforestation. Soybeans, palm oil and sugar cane are the major crops

Question 2

What are the causes of logging?

Answer 2

Trees such as mahogany and teak are highly valued for furniture and other uses. Smaller trees are used for fuel, pulped or made into charcoal

Question 3

What is the cause of road building?

Answer 3

The trans-Amazonian highway stretches for some 4,000 KM through the rainforest

Question 4

What are the causes of mineral extraction?

Answer 4

Minerals such as gold, bauxite and copper are mined extensively causing huge scars in the landscape and polluting rivers. The largest iron ore mine is at Carajas - worked by 3000 people 24/7

Question 5

What are the causes of Population growth/settlement?

Answer 5

Settlements have developed to service the developments in Brazil such as farming and mineral extraction. This has led to an increase in population

Question 6

What are the impacts of economic development?

Answer 6

Mining and commercial farming generate employment
Taxes can be used to improve education and social services
improved infrastructure opens up new areas for economic development and settlement
Oil palm and rubber provide raw materials for processing industries
The loss of biodiversity may reduce tourism

Question 7

What are the impacts of soil erosion?

Answer 7

Once land is exposed to deforestation the soil is much more venerable to the torrential rain without the roots to bind it together the loose soils can easily be eroded and wasted away

Question 8

What are the impacts of contribution to climate change?

Answer 8

When large areas of rainforest are cut down the climate becomes drier
When the trees are cut down this cooling process stops and the air becomes warmer
No trees = no storage of CO2
When trees are burnt, carbon is released back into the atmosphere reducing the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming