Fig. 1 shows a forest-carbon project in the Congo Basin. The project map includes an intact forest zone, a community harvesting zone, a protected gorilla co...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows a forest-carbon project in the Congo Basin. The project map includes an intact forest zone, a community harvesting zone, a protected gorilla corridor and a road proposed by a mining company. Villages can earn payments if satellite checks show that forest cover is maintained, but some residents argue that the road would improve access to markets, schools and health care. The case study illustrates a conflict between development needs, deforestation and global emissions. Use the information shown in Fig. 1.
(a) Identify the zone in Fig. 1 intended to allow animal movement between forest areas. [4]
(b) Describe the route of the proposed road across the project area. [6]
(c) Which groups may benefit from the road, and which group may be harmed? State one benefit and one harm. [8]
(d) Explain why protecting forest in this project could be a more sustainable strategy than allowing unrestricted clearance. [12]
Answer Details
(a) The gorilla corridor is the narrow linking strip. It connects forest areas so gorillas and other wildlife can move between them. [4]
(b) The proposed road enters from the lower-left or western side, curves across the project, crosses the gorilla corridor, passes near the village, runs through intact forest and exits towards the upper-right or eastern side. [6]
(c) Villagers may benefit through easier access to markets, schools and health care, shorter travel times and possible jobs. A mining or logging company gains access to the area. However, gorillas and other wildlife may be harmed by habitat fragmentation; the road can also enable illegal logging and hunting, and expanded clearance may reduce local forest resources. Any eight valid points gain credit. [8]
(d) Trees store carbon, so preventing clearance avoids carbon release through burning or decay. Living trees remove carbon dioxide by photosynthesis, helping limit global warming. Intact forest protects biodiversity, while corridors allow movement and gene flow. Forest cover also protects soil from erosion and regulates water flow and quality. Community harvesting can provide income without clearing all forest. Satellite monitoring checks compliance and carbon payments reward conservation. Controlled use therefore balances livelihoods with long-term ecosystem services better than unrestricted clearance. [12]
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