CommerciaCommercial loggersl loggers

Shifting Shifting cultivatorscultivators

Mining Mining company company MNCMNC GovernmeGovernme

ntnt

Purpose of Purpose of clearanceclearance

Short term Short term benefitsbenefits

Long term Long term benefitsbenefits

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Questions and answers, PowerPoint slides

DeforestationThe Amazon rainforest in Brazil

Objectives

Describe and explain the causes of deforestation

Describe and explain the effects of deforestation

Look for the causes of deforestationAmazon rainforest deforestation

Extent of deforestation

World Bank estimated 15% of the Amazon rainforest has been cut down

Causes of large scale deforestation

1. Population increase, building of settlements, rapid urbanisation and land transport system

2. Agriculture: shifting cultivation, subsistence farming, commercial farming

3. Economic development : commercial logging, mining, hydroelectricity

In your groups, prepare an argument to convince the jury that the forest should be

cleared for your interest.

Presentation:Appoint a spokesperson to speak for 2

minutes

Amazon rainforest conference

Group Group membersmembers

____________________________

We represent the We represent the ____________________________

Purpose of Purpose of clearanceclearance

Short term Short term benefitsbenefits

Long term Long term benefitsbenefits

Population increase

High population growth rate: standard of living and provide jobs

Brazil: 184 million in 2005

World: 7 billion in 2011

Rapid urbanisati

on

• Build new housing estates, town centres, hospitals, schools, transportation and other facilities

Settlements

Overcrowded cities in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo

Land for housing and farmland

Land transport systems

• Transamazonian highway in Brazil cuts across Anazon forest

• Fragmentations of forest

Agriculture: shifting cultivation

Yanomamo(tribal farmers) cut down sections of the forest and burn the trees

When the soil has no more nutrients, the farmers shift to another location and repeats the process

Agriculture: subsistence farming

Farmers that grow crops for their own consumption

Poor with no $ to buy fertilisers and pesticides

Slash and burn: move deeper into forest

Agriculture: Commercial farming

Extensive cattle ranching by MNC

Clear and burn forest to replace with grass for cattle grazing

Commercial crops eg sugar cane, coffee, soy beans

Eco dvpt: Commercial logging

Demand for tropical hardwoods eg timber

Strict licensing by Brazilian government

Illegal logging

Eco development: Mining

Amazon forest rich in minerals like iron, ore, gold and fossil fuels

MNC extracts minerals eg tin mining

Demand of oil in the world

Eco dvpt: Hydroelectricity

Construction of large dams and reservoirs causes huge areas of the Amazon rainforest to be flooded and destroyed

Eg Itaipu Dam on Parana river destroyed 700 sq km of rainforest

The final verdictBreak time

Spot the causes and effects of

deforestationAmazon rainforest deforestation

After the conference, all of you have a sudden realisation of the importance of the Amazon rainforest. In your groups, you will now representing new identities to save the rainforest!!!

Right of speechPrepare a 1 minute speech to convince the class that we should stop deforestation. In your speech, you are to mention:- Who do you represent?- How would you benefit if we conserve the rainforest?

Global warming

Deforestation causes increase in carbon dioxide as less is absorbed by plants

Results in more trapped heat in atmosphere

Leads to global warming

Effects of deforestation

Changes to nutrient cycle and soil deterioration

Trees help to absorb nutrients in the soil before it is washed away

When trees decomposed they release nutrients back into the soil= nutrient cycle

Deforestation : reduces soil fertility

Deforestation increases soil erosion because no topsoil

Effects of deforestation

Floods and water quality

Floods are more frequent due to increased surface run off

Prone to low lying areas and rivers that has exceeded its capacity

Topsoil washed into the river raises height of river bed: more flooding

Deposition of organic debris into river affects pH level : increase acidity

Effects of deforestation

Air pollution

Smoke from forest fires

Creates haze: airport closure, affects health of the people

Caused by natural or human factors eg dry weather/ agriculture

Effects of deforestation

Loss of biodiversityExtinction of flora and fauna(plants)

Reduction in biodiversity

Eg medicinal drugs like quinine

Eg mico leao dourado in brazil

Effects of deforestation

Impact on inhabitants of the rainforest

Native brazilians or the amazonian Indians have been reduced from one million to 700,000 presently

Kayapo ( tribal group) can no longer stay in the forest

Tribal members migrate to the cities

Loss of culture, knowledge and way of life

Effects of deforestation

Summary

Extent of deforestation

Causes of deforestation

Effects of deforestation