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The Living World: Case Studies (Malaysia (Causes of deforestation in…
The Living World: Case Studies
Epping Forest
Location
Epping Forest is an area of woodland between Epping in Essex to the north and Forest Gate in Greater London to the south.
It is around 2400 hectares and is roughly 19km wide and 4km long at its widest point.
Type of Ecosystem
Epping Forest is a deciduous woodland, and the predominant tree species include the pedunculate oak, the european birch and many others.
The ground flora is very spare due to the cessation of pollarding
The dead wood facilitates many decomposers such as (700 species of) fungi. There are 9 amphibian, 30 bird and many mammal species (such as deer and 18 species of bats)
There are over 100 lakes and ponds, but most of them are artificially made.
Management
Recreational activities have been controlled and there are now leaflets on how to use the forest in a way that protects the environment and more rubbish bins.
Paths for walking and cycling are maintained and open to the public.
Epping Forest also has keepers who maintain the forest on a regular basis. Cattle (Longhorn cattle) have been reintroduced as grazing supports the growth of some flora
Thar Desert
Opportunities for development
Mineral Extraction
Phospherite is also found here and is used to make fertiliser
Limestone is found in the desert which is commonly used in building
Farming
The Indira Gandhi canal has provided more opportunities farming as it has created arable land in the arid desert
Fruit and veg trees can be cultivated and sold
Tourism
The Thar Desert has become a popular tourist destination with tens of thousands of people annually visiting the desert from neighbouring Pakistan
The local economy benefits by providing food and accomodation and jobs (e.g guides) are created
Challenges for development
Extreme Heat (26.3C)
Working outside poses problems, especially for farmers
High rates of evaporation cause water shortages
Water Supply
Some water can be obtained from underground sources but they are salty and bad quality
There are few rivers and streams. Most settlements are found alongside these river
Accessibility
The sun melts tarmac and the wind blows sand over the roads and as such roads aren't practical
Most places are only accessible by camel
Malaysia
Causes of deforestation in Malaysia
Logging
Malaysia has become the biggest exporter of tropical word.
Logging is extremely unsustainable with loggers removing 100% of all accessible hardwood trees, breaching regulations.
Commercial Farming
Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world.
Plantation owners receive a 10-year tax incentive so more land is turned into plantations.
Population Pressure
Poor urban people were encouraged to move to the countryside, leading to 15000 acres of rainforest being felled by settlers between 1956 and the 1980s
By the late 1970s more than 250,000 people were resettled to cleared forest land
Impacts of deforestation in Malaysia
Soil Erosion
Due to deforestation, soil is loose and is eroding away, making trees unable to grow
Loss of biodiversity
800,000 hectares are protected as parks and 600,000 hectares as wildlife reserves.
Contribution to climate change
By unsustainable deforestation, less trees will abosrb CO2 and so it will be released in the atmosphere
Economic Gains
Companies pay taxes to the government
Jobs are created in mining, farming and energy industries
Economic Losses
Pollution of water sources means high maintenece costs
Rising temperatures can devastate some forms of farming such as growing team, fruits and flowers
The Sahel
Overgrazing and deforestation on marginal land can lead to desertification. With less vegetation there is less transpiration and evaporation from the soil, causing less rainfall. These can be caused by population growth
Impacts of drought/desertification
Subsistence farmers' crops fail and livestock dies. This can lead to famine and hunger.
Increased soil erosion makes the land less fertile, creating a long-term issue for the farming community.
People (usually women and children) travel further to find water, which means children miss school and the carrying of heavy loads can lead to back problems.
Seasonal rivers and water holes dry up, so organisms which live in them or rely on them for water may die.