gcse geography tropical rainforest case study

Living World - Amazon Case Study

The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth. It sits within the Amazon River basin, covers some 40% of the South American continent and as you can see on the map below includes parts of eight South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The actual word “Amazon” comes from river.

Amazing Amazon facts; • It is home to 1000 species of bird and 60,000 species of plants • 10 million species of insects live in the Amazon • It is home to 20 million people, who use the wood, cut down trees for farms and for cattle. • It covers 2.1 million square miles of land • The Amazon is home to almost 20% of species on Earth • The UK and Ireland would fit into the Amazon 17 times!

The Amazon caught the public’s attention in the 1980s when a series of shocking news reports said that an area of rainforest the size of Belgium was being cut down and subsequently burnt every year. This deforestation has continued to the present day according to the Sao Paulo Space Research Centre. In 2005 they had lost 17% of Amazon rainforest or 650000 square kilometres. Their satellite data is also showing increased deforestation in parts of the Amazon. The process of deforestation The Amazon helps a Newly Emerging Economy(NEE), Brazil, to make money. They build roads into the forest, logging firms then go in and take out valuable hard woods such as mahogany and cedar, worth thousands of pounds in richer economies like Europe. Then farmers, often cattle ranchers from big companies, burn the rest to make way for cattle pasture. 75% of cleared areas are used in this way. This is clearly shown on the map on figure 22 in red. Many of the deforested areas follow roads and branch off from there.  Deforestation is also worse in the South and South East of the Amazon basin, closer to major centres of population in Brazil.

© WWF   Source  Used with permission.

The causes of deforestation 1. Subsistence and commercial farming – subsistence farming is where poor farmers occupy plots of the forest to grow food to feed themselves and their families. They clear forest and then burn it, hence the name slash and burn.  They grow crops until the soil is exhausted and then move on.  This contributes to deforestation but not as much as commercial farming (Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies). The Brazilian region of Mato Grosso was affected by deforestation in the 1980s and 1990s. 43% of rainforest losses were in this region, and area almost ½ the size of France. It has been replaced by fields for grain and cattle. This has allowed Brazil to overtake Australia as the largest exporter of beef in the world. The land is also flat and easy to farm. It also has high temperatures and lots of rainfall.

2. Logging – This involves cutting down trees for sale as timber or pulp.  The timber is used to build homes, furniture, etc. and the pulp is used to make paper and paper products.  Logging can be either selective or clear cutting. Selective logging is selective because loggers choose only wood that is highly valued, such as mahogany. Clear-cutting is not selective.  Loggers are interested in all types of wood and therefore cut all of the trees down, thus clearing the forest, hence the name- clear-cutting.

3. Road building – trees are also clear for roads.  Roads are an essential way for the Brazilian government to allow development of the Amazon rainforest.  However, unless they are paved many of the roads are unusable during the wettest periods of the year.  The Trans Amazonian Highway has already opened up large parts of the forest and now a new road is going to be paved, the BR163 is a road that runs 1700km from Cuiaba to Santarem. The government planned to tarmac it making it a superhighway. This would make the untouched forest along the route more accessible and under threat from development.

4. Mineral extraction – forests are also cleared to make way for huge mines. The Brazilian part of the Amazon has mines that extract iron, manganese, nickel, tin, bauxite, beryllium, copper, lead, tungsten, zinc and gold! 

The Belo Monte dam site under construction, copyright  Used with the kind permission of Phil Clarke-Hill  - His website is amazing, click here to see it.

5. Energy development – This has focussed mainly on using Hydro Electric Power, and there are 150 new dams planned for the Amazon alone.  The dams create electricity as water is passed through huge pipes within them, where it turns a turbine which helps to generate the electricity.  The power in the Amazon is often used for mining.  Dams displace many people and the reservoirs they create flood large area of land, which would previously have been forest.  They also alter the hydrological cycle and trap huge quantities of sediment behind them. The huge Belo Monte dam started operating in April 2016 and will generate over 11,000 Mw of power.  A new scheme the 8,000-megawatt São Luiz do Tapajós dam has been held up because of the concerns over the impacts on the local Munduruku people.

6. Settlement & population growth – populations are growing within the Amazon forest and along with them settlements.  Many people are migrating to the forest looking for work associated with the natural wealth of this environment. Settlements like Parauapebas, an iron ore mining town, have grown rapidly, destroying forest and replacing it with a swath of shanty towns. The population has grown from 154,000 in 2010 to 220,000 in 2012. The Brazilian Amazon’s population grew by a massive 23% between 2000 and 2010, 11% above the national average.

Impacts of deforestation – economic development, soil erosion, contribution to climate change. • Every time forest is cleared species are lost – so we lose BIODIVERSITY • Climate Change - Burning the forest releases greenhouse gasses like CO2.  This contributes to the warming of our planet via climate change and global warming.  In addition, the loss of trees prevents CO2 being absorbed, making the problem worse. The Amazon also helps to drive the global atmospheric system. There is a lot of rainfall there and changes to the Amazon could disrupt the global system. • Economic development – Brazil has used the forests as a way to develop their country.  The forest has many natural riches that can be exploited.  In addition, Brazil has huge foreign debt and lots of poor people to feed, so they want to develop the forest. May Brazilians see deforestation as a way to help develop their country and improve people’s standard of living. • Soil erosion - the soils of the Amazon forest are not fertile and are quickly exhausted once the forest is cleared. The farmers now artificially fertilise the soil when in the past the nutrient cycle would have done this naturally.  In addition, the lack of forest cover means that soils are exposed to the rainfall.  This washes huge amounts of soil into rivers in the process of soil erosion.

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Tropical rainforests - OCR Threats to the tropical rainforest - deforestation

Tropical rainforests are an important ecosystem with distinct characteristics and adaptations. Tropical rainforests face threats which need to be managed to ensure their survival.

Part of Geography Sustaining environments

Threats to the tropical rainforest - deforestation

The tropical rainforests of the Amazon Basin face the threat of deforestation close deforestation The cutting down of trees and forests to allow a different land use. . Deforestation is happening for the following reasons:

• Farming - large areas are cleared for pastoral farming close pastoral farming When animals are reared, eg cows for their meat. . As the global demand for meat has increased, many cattle farms have opened in the Amazon Basin for beef farming. Arable farming close arable farming When crops are grown. is also responsible for the loss of tropical rainforests as many farmers are clearing land to grow cash crops close cash crop Crops which are sold for profit. , such as soya beans, often in monoculture close monoculture Growing one type of crop. plantations.
• Logging - tropical rainforests are cut down so that valuable trees like mahogany can be accessed and sold for timber to make furniture. Other trees are cut down for making paper products.
• Mining - the Amazon Basin is rich in natural resources such as iron ore, copper, tin, aluminium, manganese and gold. This has led to the development of mines which results in the clearance of tropical rainforest. The Carajas mine in Brazil is the world's largest iron ore mine.
• Roads - the construction of access roads for farmers, loggers and miners results in large parts of the tropical rainforest being destroyed.
• Hydroelectric power (HEP) close hydroelectric power (HEP) Energy generated from fast-flowing water. - The creation of HEP stations in the Amazon Basin has resulted in large areas of forest being flooded to create the reservoirs and dams. The flooding of the Balbina dam in Brazil resulted in the loss of 920 square miles of tropical rainforest.
• Population - population growth has resulted in the loss of tropical rainforest as land is cleared for subsistence close subsistence farming When people only grow enough food to feed themselves and their family. 'slash and burn' close slash and burn An agricultural process where plants are chopped down and then burnt. farming, or to build houses and infrastructure close infrastructure The basic structures needed for an area to function, for example roads and communications. .
• Tourism - camps and lodges are being built to satisfy the demands of increased 'eco-tourism' visitors.

Impacts of tropical rainforest loss

The impacts of the deforestation of the Amazon Basin include the following.

Soil erosion

Once the land is cleared of rainforest vegetation the soil is left bare. When it rains, the nutrients in the soil are washed away. The nutrient cycle close nutrient cycle Cyclic movements of nutrients such as calcium, potassium and magnesium within an ecosystem. stops because there are no plants or trees shedding leaves to replace the nutrients in the soil. The soil is no longer able to support plant life because it is not fertile . The roots of plants and trees no longer hold the soil together so it is easily eroded.

Loss of biodiversity

Many different species of plants and animals die because of deforestation. As plants and animals are closely connected through the food web close food web A network of food chains, showing how they all link together. , deforestation this reduces the biodiversity close biodiversity The range of animals and plants in a given area. , or variety of species found in the tropical rainforest.

Climate change

The trees and plants of the Amazon Basin absorb carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis close photosynthesis A chemical process used by plants to make glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy. Oxygen is produced as a by-product of photosynthesis. Algae subsumed within plants and some bacteria are also photosynthetic. . If there are fewer trees and plants, due to deforestation, then less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere. In this way deforestation contributes to global warming close global warming The rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface. and therefore climate change close climate change The long-term alteration of weather patterns. .

Economic development

The creation of mines, farms and roads - which caused deforestation - has also led to economic development. The money created from these enterprises allows a country to generate foreign income, which can then be used to pay off debts or be invested in further development projects.

More guides on this topic

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• Polar environments - OCR

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AQA GCSE 9-1: Tropical Rainforest Case Study - Knowledge Organiser and Revision Summary Sheets

Subject: Geography

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

8 December 2018

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This resource consists of a series of concise summaries that cover the content required for tropical ecosystem case study of the new AQA Course. Included: 1. Subject Specific Vocabulary Sheet - Ecosystems 2. Subject Specific Vocabulary Sheet - Tropical Rainforest. 3. Knowledge Organiser - Distribution, Structure, Soils and Adaptations. 4. Knowledge Organiser - Causes of Deforestation, Impacts and Management (Malaysia Case Study)

Two files are included: 1. Full colour version 2. Black and white / pastels for clear photocopying.

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AQA 9-1 Paper 1 Section B, Living World, Knowledge Organiser and Revision Summaries Bundle

This bundle covers the content required for Section B The Living World. Concise knowledge organisers with subject specific vocabulary and all that students need to know for the exam. Option is Hot Deserts with a choice of the Thar or the Sahara. PDF and editable versions included.

AQA 9-1 GCSE Living World Knowledge Organisers and Revision Summaries.

Includes concise summaries of the content required. Desert Option Included. Useful for revision, individual sheets can be slotted easily into lessons. Sheets are fully editable.

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Case Study: Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

Deforestation in the amazon rainforest.

The Amazon rainforest area spans about 8,200,000km 2 across 9 countries, making it the largest rainforest in the world. The tree coverage in 1970 was 4.1m km 2 . In 2018, it was 3.3m km 2 . Between 2001 and 2013, the causes of Amazonian deforestation were:

Pasture and cattle ranching = 63%

Small-scale, subsistence farmers = 12%

Commercial crop farming = 7%

Tree felling and logging = 6%

Other activities = 3%

• E.g. plantations, mining, road-building, and construction.

Impacts of Deforestation in the Amazon

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has the following environmental and economic impacts:

Environmental impact of Amazonian deforestation

• Photosynthesis by trees in the Amazon absorbs 5% of the world's carbon emissions each year (2bn tons of CO2).
• 100 billion tonnes of carbon are stored in the wood of the trees in the Amazon.
• If the Amazon were completely deforested, it would release the 100bn tonnes and also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide taken out of the atmosphere by 2bn tons each year.
• Trees anchor soil in the ground, bound to their roots. Deforestation damages the topsoil and once this has happened, the fertility of the ground is seriously damaged.

Economic impact of Amazonian deforestation

• Deforestation has fuelled the economic development of poor countries.
• In 2018, Brazil exported $28bn worth of metals. The mining industry creates jobs, exports and helps increase Brazilian people's standard of living.
• Similarly, hydroelectric power plants and cattle farms help to create jobs.
• In 2018, Brazil became the world's largest exporter of beef.
• Rio Tinto, an iron ore mining company employs 47,000 people globally and thousands of these are in Brazil.

The rate of deforestation in the Amazon

• In 2015, the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff claimed that the rate of deforestation had fallen by 83% and that actually Brazil was going to reforest the Amazon.
• However, the policies under President Temer and President Bolsonaro has reversed Rousseff's plan. In 2019, under Bolsonaro, the rate of deforestation was increasing again.

1 The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1 Natural Hazards

1.1.1 Types of Natural Hazards

1.1.2 Hazard Risk

1.1.3 Consequences of Natural Hazards

1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Natural Hazards

1.1.5 Exam-Style Questions - Natural Hazards

1.2 Tectonic Hazards

1.2.1 Tectonic Plates

1.2.2 Tectonic Plates & Convection Currents

1.2.3 Plate Margins

1.2.4 Volcanoes

1.2.5 Effects of Volcanoes

1.2.6 Responses to Volcanic Eruptions

1.2.7 Earthquakes

1.2.8 Earthquakes 2

1.2.9 Responses to Earthquakes

1.2.10 Case Studies: The L'Aquila & Kashmir Earthquakes

1.2.11 Earthquake Case Study: Chile 2010

1.2.12 Earthquake Case Study: Nepal 2015

1.2.13 Living with Tectonic Hazards 1

1.2.14 Living with Tectonic Hazards 2

1.2.15 End of Topic Test - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.16 Exam-Style Questions - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.17 Tectonic Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.3 Weather Hazards

1.3.1 Global Atmospheric Circulation

1.3.2 Surface Winds

1.3.3 UK Weather Hazards

1.3.4 Tropical Storms

1.3.5 Features of Tropical Storms

1.3.6 Impact of Tropical Storms 1

1.3.7 Impact of Tropical Storms 2

1.3.8 Tropical Storms Case Study: Katrina

1.3.9 Tropical Storms Case Study: Haiyan

1.3.10 UK Weather Hazards Case Study: Somerset 2014

1.3.11 End of Topic Test - Weather Hazards

1.3.12 Exam-Style Questions - Weather Hazards

1.3.13 Weather Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.4 Climate Change

1.4.1 Evidence for Climate Change

1.4.2 Causes of Climate Change

1.4.3 Effects of Climate Change

1.4.4 Managing Climate Change

1.4.5 End of Topic Test - Climate Change

1.4.6 Exam-Style Questions - Climate Change

1.4.7 Climate Change - Statistical Skills

2 The Living World

2.1 Ecosystems

2.1.1 Ecosystems

2.1.2 Ecosystem Cascades & Global Ecosystems

2.1.3 Ecosystem Case Study: Freshwater Ponds

2.2 Tropical Rainforests

2.2.1 Tropical Rainforests - Intro & Interdependence

2.2.2 Adaptations

2.2.3 Biodiversity of Tropical Rainforests

2.2.4 Deforestation

2.2.5 Case Study: Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

2.2.6 Sustainable Management of Rainforests

2.2.7 Case Study: Malaysian Rainforest

2.2.8 End of Topic Test - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.9 Exam-Style Questions - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.10 Deforestation - Statistical Skills

2.3 Hot Deserts

2.3.1 Overview of Hot Deserts

2.3.2 Biodiversity & Adaptation to Hot Deserts

2.3.3 Case Study: Sahara Desert

2.3.4 Desertification

2.3.5 Case Study: Thar Desert

2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Hot Deserts

2.3.7 Exam-Style Questions - Hot Deserts

2.4 Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.1 Overview of Cold Environments

2.4.2 Adaptations in Cold Environments

2.4.3 Biodiversity in Cold Environments

2.4.4 Case Study: Alaska

2.4.5 Sustainable Management

2.4.6 Case Study: Svalbard

2.4.7 End of Topic Test - Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.8 Exam-Style Questions - Cold Environments

3 Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.1.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.2 Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.1 Types of Wave

3.2.2 Weathering & Mass Movement

3.2.3 Processes of Erosion & Wave-Cut Platforms

3.2.4 Headlands, Bays, Caves, Arches & Stacks

3.2.5 Transportation

3.2.6 Deposition

3.2.7 Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

3.2.8 Case Study: Landforms on the Dorset Coast

3.2.9 Types of Coastal Management 1

3.2.10 Types of Coastal Management 2

3.2.11 Coastal Management Case Study - Holderness

3.2.12 Coastal Management Case Study: Swanage

3.2.13 Coastal Management Case Study - Lyme Regis

3.2.14 End of Topic Test - Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.15 Exam-Style Questions - Coasts

3.3 River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.1 The River Valley

3.3.2 River Valley Case Study - River Tees

3.3.3 Erosion

3.3.4 Transportation & Deposition

3.3.5 Waterfalls, Gorges & Interlocking Spurs

3.3.6 Meanders & Oxbow Lakes

3.3.7 Floodplains & Levees

3.3.8 Estuaries

3.3.9 Case Study: The River Clyde

3.3.10 River Management

3.3.11 Hard & Soft Flood Defences

3.3.12 River Management Case Study - Boscastle

3.3.13 River Management Case Study - Banbury

3.3.14 End of Topic Test - River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.15 Exam-Style Questions - Rivers

3.4 Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.1 Erosion

3.4.2 Landforms Caused by Erosion

3.4.3 Landforms Caused by Transportation & Deposition

3.4.4 Snowdonia

3.4.5 Land Use in Glaciated Areas

3.4.6 Tourism in Glacial Landscapes

3.4.7 Case Study - Lake District

3.4.8 End of Topic Test - Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.9 Exam-Style Questions - Glacial Landscapes

4 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.1 Urbanisation

4.1.2 Urbanisation Case Study: Lagos

4.1.3 Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro

4.1.4 UK Cities

4.1.5 Case Study: Urban Regen Projects - Manchester

4.1.6 Case Study: Urban Change in Liverpool

4.1.7 Case Study: Urban Change in Bristol

4.1.8 Sustainable Urban Life

4.1.9 End of Topic Test - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.10 Exam-Style Questions - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.11 Urban Issues -Statistical Skills

5 The Changing Economic World

5.1 The Changing Economic World

5.1.1 Measuring Development

5.1.2 Classifying Countries Based on Wealth

5.1.3 The Demographic Transition Model

5.1.4 Physical & Historical Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.5 Economic Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.6 How Can We Reduce the Global Development Gap?

5.1.7 Case Study: Tourism in Kenya

5.1.8 Case Study: Tourism in Jamaica

5.1.9 Case Study: Economic Development in India

5.1.10 Case Study: Aid & Development in India

5.1.11 Case Study: Economic Development in Nigeria

5.1.12 Case Study: Aid & Development in Nigeria

5.1.13 Economic Development in the UK

5.1.14 Economic Development UK: Industry & Rural

5.1.15 Economic Development UK: Transport & North-South

5.1.16 Economic Development UK: Regional & Global

5.1.17 End of Topic Test - The Changing Economic World

5.1.18 Exam-Style Questions - The Changing Economic World

5.1.19 Changing Economic World - Statistical Skills

6 The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1 Resource Management

6.1.1 Global Distribution of Resources

6.1.2 Food in the UK

6.1.3 Water in the UK 1

6.1.4 Water in the UK 2

6.1.5 Energy in the UK

6.1.6 Resource Management - Statistical Skills

6.2.1 Areas of Food Surplus & Food Deficit

6.2.2 Food Supply & Food Insecurity

6.2.3 Increasing Food Supply

6.2.4 Case Study: Thanet Earth

6.2.5 Creating a Sustainable Food Supply

6.2.6 Case Study: Agroforestry in Mali

6.2.7 End of Topic Test - Food

6.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Food

6.2.9 Food - Statistical Skills

6.3.1 The Global Demand for Water

6.3.2 What Affects the Availability of Water?

6.3.3 Increasing Water Supplies

6.3.4 Case Study: Water Transfer in China

6.3.5 Sustainable Water Supply

6.3.6 Case Study: Kenya's Sand Dams

6.3.7 Case Study: Lesotho Highland Water Project

6.3.8 Case Study: Wakel River Basin Project

6.3.9 Exam-Style Questions - Water

6.3.10 Water - Statistical Skills

6.4.1 Global Demand for Energy

6.4.2 Factors Affecting Energy Supply

6.4.3 Increasing Energy Supply: Renewables

6.4.4 Increasing Energy Supply: Non-Renewables

6.4.5 Carbon Footprints & Energy Conservation

6.4.6 Case Study: Rice Husks in Bihar

6.4.7 Exam-Style Questions - Energy

6.4.8 Energy - Statistical Skills

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Deforestation

Sustainable Management of Rainforests

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GCSE Geography Case Study - Tropical Rain Forest.pdf

Related Papers

ROHIT KUMAR

Philip M Fearnside

UCS tropical forests and climate briefing

Doug Boucher

Progress in Physical Geography

Paulo Moutinho

This article reviews the physical links between tropical rain forests and the atmos phere, and considers the results of studies which address the climatic impacts of deforestation. Tropical deforestation is widely believed to influence local, regional and possibly global cli mates. Although the relationship between deforestation and climate change is complex, there is a growing consensus that deforestation leads to warmer, drier climates. The consensus is based on experimental studies at the microscale and modelling studies at the global scale, sup plemented by a small number of observational studies at the local and regional scale. However, none of the local and regional studies examine both deforestation and climate change in a rigorous manner, or consider the results in the context of synoptic-scale phenomena. Conse quently, there is considerable uncertainty associated with the local and regional impacts of deforestation on the climate.

Climatic Change

Carlos A Nobre

Nafisa Takia Afrin

Extreme weather condition, changing agricultural yields and increase in the disease vectors are some of the other effects of global warming. Deforestation and air temperature being the primary reason behind global warming, we need to show greater concern towards felling of trees. We need to take quick measure to prevent deforestation so that we can hope environment as a conducive way to live in.

Pedro Zanetti

Forests play a crucial role in providing a range of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. This shows the global but also more regional importance of forests, particularly in places like the Amazon with large remaining areas of forests. Yet, the prevailing paradigm continues to be one of growth and development, which puts a continuous threat on our long-term well-being. Based on the notion that the dynamics and causes of deforestation are multi-faceted, complex and vary geographically as well as in time, this study focused on understanding the current and future deforestation dynamics on the Amazon region using participatory methods. First a stakeholder analysis was performed, identifying those individuals affected by climate change and Land Use/ Land Cover Change (LULC) in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Secondly, a semi-structured interview was prepared, exploring a range of issues on the present and future situation of the Amazon in terms of drivers, future scenarios, and policies. Finally, the questions were divided into groups to facilitate analysis. A total of 18 interviews were conducted with experts covering most of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Results indicate that, despite regional variation and specificities, livestock farming, logging activities and mechanized agriculture were perceived as the 3 main direct causes of deforestation. When asked for the main drivers in 2050, a distinctly different set was mentioned including large infrastructure programs planned for the region, followed by mining, oil and gas activities. When comparing the main current causes of deforestation with those mentioned to be important in 2050, it is clear that stakeholders are convinced that issues related to livestock farming, mechanized agriculture and logging activities will have been overcome, while big infrastructure problems related to energy supply will become the main driver of deforestation.

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Epping Forest Case Study

A small scale ecosystem

Epping forest is an ancient, deciduous woodland to the northeast of London. It is all that remains of a more extensive forest that colonised England at the end of the last ice age . The forest is approximately 19 kilometres (12 miles) long from north to south but no more than 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from east to west at its widest point.

The forest, managed for over 1000 years, has been used for hunting and timber resources. Recreation is the leading role of the forest now.

Epping Forest

The forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), meaning it is a protected environment.

Due to its careful management, Epping Forest has a complex food web composed of thousands of species. The forest has:

•  a wide variety of native tree species that include beech, elm, oak and ash;
• a shrub layer consisting of hazel and holly, along with grasses, brambles, fern, bracken and flowering plants;
• 177 species of lichen and moss
• many primary consumers, including insects and small mammals, and deer, along with 38 species of birds
• secondary consumers such as owls, adders and foxes;
• 700 species of fungi, important decomposers, which are common due to a large amount of deadwood;
• over 100 lakes and ponds provide essential habitats for numerous fauna species (animals) and flora (plants).

Epping Forest food web

Epping Forest Food Web

How is the Epping Forest ecosystem interdependent?

Epping Forest Nutrient Cycle

Sustainable Management of Epping Forest

Recreation is controlled within the forest, including having designated car parking areas, a visitor centre, provision of rubbish bins and leaflets on how to use the forest to protect the environment. Paths for walking and riding are open to public use. There are currently nine Forest Keepers, three Senior Forest Keepers, and one Head Keeper employed to protect the forest environment. These strategies are sustainable because they protect the forest for future generations.

Along the roads, vegetation is cut back so that deer are aware of traffic and reduce the risk of motor vehicle collisions. Maintaining the foliage protects the native deer population from road traffic accidents. This is a form of sustainable management as it helps protect current and future deer populations.

Cattle have been reintroduced in some areas as grazing supports the growth of some flora.

Epping forest conservation volunteers undertake tasks every Sunday to support the biodiversity of the forest. Duties include cutting back vegetation, rubbish and scrub clearance, removing silt and maintaining ponds and bogs.

Ecosystems on a larger, global scale are known as biomes. Find out more here .

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