The diagram shows an area of tropical forest before and after land has been cleared for a cattle farm. The remaining forest is split into smaller patches by...
Question 1 Report
The diagram shows an area of tropical forest before and after land has been cleared for a cattle farm. The remaining forest is split into smaller patches by a road and fields. Local plants, insects and birds were surveyed for five years.
(a) Name two products that people may obtain by clearing tropical forest. [2]
(b) Describe three changes to the habitat shown after deforestation. [3]
(c) Explain how deforestation can increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [5]
(d) Suggest three actions the farm owner could take to reduce the environmental effects of the farm. [3]
Answer Details
(a) People may obtain timber or wood, land for cattle grazing, land for crops, minerals, or land for palm-oil crops from cleared tropical forest. Any two. [2]
(b) Deforestation leaves fewer trees and plants, reduces total habitat area, and divides forest into isolated patches. It can also remove feeding and nesting sites, reduce shade and raise ground temperature, and expose soil. Any three. [3]
(c) Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis. When trees are removed, less carbon dioxide is taken up. Cleared vegetation may be burned, and combustion releases carbon dioxide. Cut plants can also decay, while soil disturbance can release carbon dioxide. Together, reduced removal and increased release raise atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. [5]
(d) The owner could leave forest strips as wildlife corridors, replant native trees, avoid burning cleared vegetation, keep cattle away from streams, and use already-cleared land rather than clear more forest. Any three. [3]
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