HIGHER+RURAL

HIGHER RURAL

Schools can decide on whether to do either land degradation in a semi arid or a rainforest. We have chosen to study degradation in rainforest. Your case study will be focused on deforestation in the Amazon tropical rainforest, main country Brazil. You show state clearly at the beginning what your named example is: 'For the Amazon rainforest the ......'

1. You need to discuss the reasons why the rainforests are being cleared. Some examples:
 * land clearance for commercial agriculture- cattle industry, rubber, palm oil/export as cash crop.
 * Commercial logging- Generation of income/demand for timber such as teak
 * Jobs especially in industry-mining/roads and HEP

2. You may be asked a question like: 'With reference to **either** a named rainforest **or** semi-arid area, **explain** the impact of land degradation on people and the environment. Write in terms on impact on environment and impact on people. Points to focus on:
 * loss of species- endangerment and extinction/ important to the pharmaceutical industry and loss of these species may limit further research
 * loss of hunting grounds/ impact of new settlers on Indigenous people- move to towns/ increasing pressure/shanty/Increased risk of ‘western’ diseases/ Conflict between people and companies/ Local languages and traditions
 * soil erosion- nutrient recycling in the soil is reduced / fertile soils washed away/silting of rivers and effect on river life
 * Water cycle/ climate change- trees convert carbon dioxide to oxygen/burning releases co2/role in evapotranspiration and increased drought.

3. You could be asked about management strategies/ solutions such as : 'Explain the techniques used to combat rural land degradation in a named rainforest **or** semi-arid area'. Just some key points listed here- you would need to flesh this out in your own answer
 * Afforestation- water erosion
 * Agroforestry schemes -sustainable development/ canopy protects the soil
 * Selective logging - leaving young trees to grow
 * reserves and protected areas- protecting endangered species and providing jobs through ecotourism and income through selling crops for indigenous people (refer to CACC form textbook) //CACC is large and difficult to monitor with not enough guards or rangers.//
 * Stronger government enforcement of logging laws/ satellite monitoring to stop illegal logging. //corruption of officials and power of the illegal loggers and poachers//

If you are asked to evaluate, the extra points in italics show some limitations with these strategies.