Malaysia (Rainforests)

Question 1

Where is Malaysia?

Answer 1

South East Asia

Question 2

How much of Malaysia is tropical rainforest?

Answer 2

67% but deforestation is decreasing rainforest coverage

Question 3

What are the economic gains for deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 3

• Job creation
• Tax Revenue
• Improved transport
• Plantations products support industries
• HEP is cheap + plentiful
• Minerals are valuable

Question 4

What are thare economic losses for deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 4

• Water pollution and an increasingly dry climate could lead to water shortages
• Fires pollute + destroy areas of valuable forest
• Rising temperatures could devastate established farms
• Medical plants could become extinct
• Climate change could have economic costs
• Rainforest tourism could decrease

Question 5

What are the 3 threats to Malaysia’s rainforests?

Answer 5

LOGGING - in the 80s Malaysia were the highest exporter of high valued wood -> has now been swapped with selective logging
which is more sustainable
MINERAL EXTRACTION - tin, oil and gas drilling is being established for economic gains
FARMING:
Industrial- largest exporter of palm oil, slash’n’burn fires can grow out of control and burning of trees releases large amounts of CO2
Subsistence - small communities setting up farms, mostly sustainable and is not a huge contributor to deforestation