amazonia deforestation case study

Question 1

rate if deforestation in amazonia

Answer 1

Every second 2.4 acres of tropical rainforests are destroyed

Question 2

4 causes of deforestation in amazonia

Answer 2

Cattle ranching ( forests cleared to raise cattle)(over 70% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon)

Soya bean farming ( forest land is often cleared, burned and then made into farmland. Soya beans are a commonly found crop.)(The soil of the rainforest will only produce crops for a few years, and the land is often left unused or converted into grazing land.)

Illegal logging

Constructions of dams and roads, mining

Question 3

4 effects of deforestation in Amazonia.

Answer 3

Destruction of habitats and resources of the animals, plants and people who live there and there is a premature loss of the biodiversity which is considered a huge threat (50,000 species a year lost)

Fewer trees means increase in CO2, contributing to the Greenhouse effect - accelerating climate change.

More than 20% of the world’s oxygen comes from the amazon rainforest so we lose a huge amount of oxygen everytime trees are cut down in the amazon.

Destruction of water cycle- When Rainforests are cut down, less moisture goes into the atmosphere and rainfall declines, sometimes leading to drought.

Question 4

Which groups of people are positively affected by deforestation in Amazonia?
(3)

Answer 4

Agricultural farmers and corporations because they want/need more space so that they can plant/gain as much as possible

Loggers because they earn a lot of money selling the wood

Local communities because they get employed to cut the trees

Question 5

Which group of people is negatively affected by deforestation in Amazonia?

Answer 5

Indigenous tribes because they have to be displaced and lose cultural traditions which threaten their way of life

Question 6

how many countries does the amazonia span over

Answer 6

9

Question 7

how much of the amazon has already been lost

Answer 7

20%

Question 8

impacts of deforestation (5)

Answer 8

Loss of biodiversity – Amazon is home to over 10% of global species.

Climate change – the forest acts as a carbon sink; deforestation increases CO₂.

Displacement of Indigenous peoples – loss of land and culture.

Soil erosion – no roots to hold soil; leads to land degradation.

River pollution – from mining and soil runoff.

Question 9

management strategies for deforestation of amazonia

Answer 9

Selective logging and replanting

Eco-tourism

Conservation areas – e.g. national parks

Monitoring with satellites

International agreements – like the Amazon Fund supported by Norway and Germany