Deforestation Flashcards
Why is deforestation an important step in human evolution? What are other changes that came with that switch (socio-economic changes)?
Principal reason: Allowed us to go from hunter-gatherers to sedentary agriculturalists and beyond (by clearing land for agriculture)
Other changes:
- first town and villages, language, money, accounting, social organization, divisions of labor (some are doctors, others are psychologists….)
Are forests still an important part of life for many cultures?
Yes, for their LIVELIHOODS (Livelihoods: Forests are a source of income for many people through activities like farming, hunting, gathering, and selling forest products (e.g., timber, fruits, or herbs) and SURVIVAL (food, shelter, clothing, medicines)
Where is most deforestation happening?
In tropical areas (EXAM, THESE ARE THE MOST AFFECTED), but also in the boreal forest
Most forest cover (forest cover is the amount of trees that covers a particular area of land.) is in which part of the world?
In the developing parts of the world
What is the hamburger effect?
The idea that the more hamburgers we eat, the more deforestation is happening in those developing areas (where forest cover is big)
How do forests help mitigate climate change?
By acting as a carbon sink, and absorbing the CO2, (and in turn, providing oxygen).
What happens when we burn forests?
Co2 release.
Why is agriculture a bad idea in tropical rainforests?
Trees don’t lose their leaves, so the soil becomes inert.
EXPLANATION:
Why Agriculture in Tropical Rainforests is Challenging:
Nutrient Cycling in Rainforests:
Tropical rainforests rely on a closed nutrient cycle, where most nutrients are stored in the vegetation (trees, plants, etc.) rather than the soil.
Unlike in temperate regions, tropical soils are often poor in nutrients because heavy rainfall leaches minerals from the soil.
Leaf Litter Decomposition:
In rainforests, fallen leaves and organic matter decompose rapidly due to the warm, moist environment. These nutrients are quickly absorbed by the plants.
Why is one particular concern is the deforestation taking place within tropical rainforests?
Soil Degradation
Without tree cover, tropical soils—already nutrient-poor—are exposed to heavy rains, leading to erosion and loss of fertility. This makes the land unsuitable for long-term agriculture.
loss of biodiversity, less carbon skins….
What are 4 causes of deforestation? Explain each.
Agriculture, ranching, logging (act of cutting down trees for their wood) and modernization.
Agriculture:
clearing the area for soy/palm oil production in the tropics and for wheat/grain production in temperate zones.
Ranching:
Meat exports (Global Demand: The rising global demand for beef, particularly in countries that import large quantities of meat, drives the need for more grazing land.)
“hamburger effect”
Logging:
tropical hardwoods (infrastructure, homes…)
Modernization:
1. Debt and Loans
Many countries take loans to modernize (build roads, factories, etc.).
To pay back these loans, they need money, and one way to get it is by selling forest products (like timber) or using forests for farming to export goods.
2. Privatization and Foreign Investment
Sometimes, countries sell forests or land to big foreign companies (called TNCs/MNCs) to attract investment.
These companies might cut down forests for agriculture, mining, or other projects that make money.
3. Government Spending Cuts (SAPs)
Some loans come with conditions that force countries to spend less on things like environmental protection (they cut back on environmental protection and not like the military cause its what gives them power).
With less money to protect forests, it’s easier for companies to cut them down.
4. Export Money
To earn more money from exports, countries might clear forests to grow crops (like palm oil or soybeans) or raise cattle.
This means forests are turned into farmland or grazing land.
Deforestation starts with…
the building of roads (to get the infrastructure in)
Deforestation has shifted from government-driven to…
multi-nationals (big compagnies!!!)
What are 5 consequences to deforestations?
- Hydrology:
- Increased run-off, which causes flooding, increased sediment in rivers, and rising water tables. (prcq voila t’enlève les arbres, plus d’infiltration) - Soil degradation
- erosion(no roots to hold the soil)
- Landslides
What It Is: Large amounts of soil and rock suddenly slide down a slope.
Why It Happens: Trees and vegetation stabilize slopes. When they are removed, rainwater can cause the soil to become unstable and collapse. - Compaction
What It Is: Soil particles are pressed together, reducing spaces for air and water.
Why It Happens: Heavy machinery, overgrazing, or repeated human activity compress the soil.
Effect: Soil becomes hard, making it difficult for water to penetrate or plants to grow. - Laterization
What It Is: A process where tropical soils become rich in iron and aluminum oxides, forming a hard, nutrient-poor layer called “laterite.”
Why It Happens: In hot, wet climates, nutrients are washed out of the soil (leaching), leaving behind minerals like iron and aluminum. This often occurs when forests are removed, exposing soil to intense weathering.
Effect: The soil becomes infertile and unsuitable for agriculture.
IRONY: you clear the land for agriculture, but the soil cant even hold the nutrients.
- Climate impacts
LOCALLY: forests regulate rainfall :
- allow for evapotranspiration, cloud formation and rainfall
ex a mtl lete, buildup rainfall, qq minutes grosse pluie, then sun is back.
GLOBALLY: Forests are an important carbon sink,
- carbon is released via burning or decomposition.
- At present contribution to global CO2 is (deforestation) less than from burning fossil fuels, but may rise significantly as fossil fuel use diminishes and deforestation increases.
- Loss of plant and animal species.
As much as 1/2 of all species live in tropical rainforests that cover only 6-7% of earth’s land surface. They are highly vulnerable to forest fragmentation (large, continuous forests are broken up into smaller, isolated patches, disconnected areas)
Characteristics of those plant and animal species:
- highly localized (found in one location in particular)
- narrow ecological specialization ( need very specific environmental conditions)
- delicate interdependence with other species.( keystone species, you remove one, specie, the whole thing collapses).
** a keystone species is an organism that helps hold the system together**
- Indigenous livelihoods
In extreme cases: death
Less extreme cases: a loss of cultural identity
What could happen as a result of deforestation:
DELIBERATE ANNEXATION: being moved off land to allow access for cattle or other forms of agriculture (so they have to relocate basically)
LESS FORMALIZED CONSEQUENCE:
introduction of market systems, global trade (selling resources they used to keep for themselves) … which leads to the loss of traditional livelihoods and their survival comes mainly from the forest (food, medicine…), so important to preserve it.
What are some ways to better manage the tropical forest deforestation? What new some general causes (3) and some local systemic causes (10)?
By focusing on causes (both general causes and systemic causes)
GENERAL:
1. Population Growth: More people means more demand for land. Solutions include better land use planning and sustainable farming.
- Employment: People depend on forest-related jobs. Offering green jobs and sustainable industries can reduce forest destruction.
- Global Economy: High demand for forest products drives deforestation. Promoting sustainable trade practices can help.
- ITTO “Objective 2000”: The ITTO works to make tropical timber production sustainable by promoting responsible logging practices.
- Realistic Pricing: Timber is often sold too cheaply, ignoring environmental costs. Pricing products to reflect their true impact encourages sustainable practices.
LOCAL SYSTEMIC (10)
Highway Construction: Limit roads in forests to prevent deforestation.
Subsidies for Cattle
Ranching/Agriculture: Shift subsidies to support sustainable farming.
Energy Subsidies for Hydroelectric Projects: Reduce funding for harmful large-scale dams.
Protection of Forests: Enforce laws to protect forests and create reserves.
Debt for Nature Swaps: Countries swap debt for forest conservation commitments.
Payment for Environmental Services (PES): Pay landowners to protect forests for their benefits.
Forest Reserves: Create protected areas where no development is allowed.
Sustainable Forestry: Encourage eco-friendly logging that lets forests regenerate.
Agroforestry: Integrate trees with crops to reduce deforestation.
Timber Lease Lengthening: Give long-term leases to encourage sustainable forest management.
