Case Study For 1.B

Question 1

What is the tropical rainforest forest we study

Answer 1

Malaysia

Question 2

What is the name of the desert we studied

Answer 2

Thar desert

Question 3

Where is Malaysia located

Answer 3

Southeast Asia

Question 4

How much of the countries land is corpvered by rainforest

Answer 4

67%

Question 5

What are the 7 main causes of deforestation in Malaysia

Answer 5

1. Logging
2. Commercial farming
3. Subsistence farming
4. Mineral extraction
5. Population pressure / settlement
6. Hydroelectric power projects
7. Road building

Question 6

How is logging a course of deforestation

Answer 6

• in the years 1980s Malaysia became the worlds largest exporter of tropical wood
• clear feeling (all the trees in an area of cut down at once, regardless of age, size or species) was common but is now replaced with selective logging
• logging roads are also built which causes more damage

Question 7

How is commercial farming a course of deforestation

Answer 7

• palm oil plantations have expanded massively since the 1970s
• Malaysia is one if the largest palm oil exporters
• rainforests are cleared to plant palm oil trees

Question 8

How is subsistence farming a course of deforestation

Answer 8

• some indigenous people practise slash-and-burn a traditional method that clears forest using fire
• the fires can grow out of control causing further deforestation

Question 9

How is mineral extraction a course of deforestation

Answer 9

• tin mining and smelting are significant in Malaysia
• forests are cleared for mining and access roads

Question 10

How is population pressure / settlement a course of deforestation

Answer 10

• transmigration policies (1970-80s) encouraged people to move to less densely populated areas like Sarawak leading to forest clearance for homes and farms

Question 11

How is hydroelectric power a course of deforestation

Answer 11

• large dams like the Bakun dam (one of Asia’s largest outside china) gave flooded hundreds of km2 of rainforest
• use to generate renewable energy but with major environmental coasts

Question 12

How is road building a course of deforestation

Answer 12

Roads are built to access logging and mining areas further fragmenting forests

Question 13

What are the environmental impacts of deforestation in Malaysia

Answer 13

• loss of biodiversity- habitats for species like the orangutans are destroyed
• soil erosion - trees bind soil without them heavy rainfall washes soil away
• climate change- deforestation releases co2 and reduces carbon sinks
• water cycle disruption - less transpiration reduces rainfall and leads to a drier climate

Question 14

What are the economic impacts on deforestation in Malaysia

Answer 14

• logging, mining, and palm oil create income and job
• exports of timber and plain oil boost the economy
• tourism can suffer if biodiversity and natural beauty are lost

Question 15

What are the social impacts of deforestation in Malaysia

Answer 15

• indigenous people lose land and resources
• conflict may occur between developers and local communities
• new settlements may improve living conditions for some but often lack infrastructure

Question 16

What are the 6 management strategies for sustainable use in Malaysia

Answer 16

-selective logging
- ecotourism
- education
- conservation and reserves
- international agreements
- replanting / afforestation

Question 17

What is selective logging

Answer 17

• only some trees are felled, allowing forest to regenerate
• introduced in 1977

Question 18

What is ecotourism

Answer 18

• promoting sustainable tourism providing income while conserving the forest

Question 19

What is meant by education as a management strategy for Malaysia

Answer 19

Public awareness campaigns and school education to promote conservation

Question 20

What are examples of international agreements made by Malaysia

Answer 20

1. CITES (convention on international trade in endangered species) - it regulates and sometimes bans the trade if endangered animals and plants, it protects species like mahogany which is often illegally logged in tropical forests
   Malaysia restricts export of endangered hardwood species
2. Tropical forest alliance (TFA) - a global public-private partnership that works to reduce deforestation linked to commodity production, like palm oil, soy, beef, and paper
   Helps tackle deforestation caused by palm oil plantations by promoting sustainable practices

Question 21

Where is the Thar desert located

Answer 21

The Thar desert is the worlds most densely populated desert
Located in northwest India and southeast Pakistan

Question 22

What is the climate of the Thar desert

Answer 22

Very hot (50°c in summer) and very dry (less than 250mm of twin per year

Question 23

What are the 5 main opportunities for development in the Thar desert

Answer 23

1. Mineral extraction
2. Tourism
3. Energy production
4. Farming
5. Substance farming

Question 24

How is mineral extraction an opportunity for development in the Thar

Answer 24

valuable minerals are found in the desert including:
- gypsum (used in cement)
- feldspar( used in ceramics)
- phosphorite (used in fertilisers)
- kaolin (use in paper)

These support local industries and export income

Question 25

How is tourism an opportunity for development in the Thar

Answer 25

- popular with domestic and international tourists - attractions include: • jaisalmer fort, camel rides, desert festivals • sand dunes and desert salaries - provides jobs in hotels, restaurants, guiding services

Question 26

How is energy production an opportunity for development in the Thar

Answer 26

- solar energy - wind energy - coal and oil

Question 27

How is farming an opportunity for development in the Thar

Answer 27

- where irrigation is possible commercial farming of crops likes wheat and cotton is done - canal helps support agriculture and drinking water in desert settlements

Question 28

How is subsistence farming an opportunity for development in the Thar

Answer 28

Traditional framing by locals Involves grazing animals

Question 29

What are the 5 challenges of development in the Thar desert

Answer 29

1. Extreme temperatures 2. Water supply issues 3. Accessibility / infrastructure 4. Soil erosion and desertification 5. Population pressure

Question 30

How are extreme temperatures a challenge of development in the Thar desert

Answer 30

- summer temps can reach 50°c - difficult for people to work outside - water evaporates quickly p- heat affects farming and health

Question 31

How are water supply issues a challenge of development in the Thar desert

Answer 31

- low annual rainfall makes water scarce - overuse of irrigation is reducing water tables - wells often dry up

Question 32

How is accessibility / infrastructure a challenge of development in the Thar desert

Answer 32

- sandstorms and extreme heat damage roads - remote areas are difficult making travel harder - tarmac can melt is summer making travel harder

Question 33

How is soil erosion and desertification a challenge of development in the Thar desert

Answer 33

- overgrazing and deforestation causes soil erosion - intensive farming and over-irrational caroused salinisation is soil making it infertile

Question 34

How is population pressure a challenge of development in the Thar desert

Answer 34

- the Thar is the most populated desert in the world - high population growth leads to overuse of resources