implications for human wellbeing

• What are the implications of forest loss for human wellbeing?

  Forest loss has negative implications for human wellbeing through loss of ecosystem services.
• How does the environmental Kuznets curve model relate to forest protection?

  The model suggests that forest stores are being protected and even expanded in countries with higher levels of development.
• How many people rely on forests for food, water, and raw materials?

  1. 6 billion people rely on forests for food, water, and raw materials.
• What percentage of people relying on forests are the poorest in their societies?

  90% of the people relying on forests are the poorest in their societies.
• How many jobs are generated in the forest sector?

  13 million formal and 41 million informal economy jobs are generated in the forest sector.
• What role do forests play in the water cycle?

  Forests help to regulate the water cycle by encouraging infiltration and percolation to replenish groundwater stores.
• How do tree roots contribute to groundwater replenishment?

  Tree roots break up soil, encouraging infiltration and percolation to replenish groundwater stores.
• What is the effect of forests on droughts?

  Forests reduce droughts by recycling water back to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.
• How do forests affect flood events?

  Forests reduce surface flow and decrease flashiness of storm hydrographs, thereby reducing flood events.
• What role do forests play as carbon sinks?

  Forests act as net carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
• How do forests help prevent landslides?

  Forest tree roots hold soil in place on steep slopes, reducing landslides and rotational slumping.
• What cultural services do forests provide?

  Forests provide cultural services such as construction materials, sustainable hunting, and aesthetic value.
• How do indigenous cultures view forests?

  Many indigenous cultures believe forests to be inhabited by spirits and sacred.
• What is the relationship between deforestation and food security?

  Deforestation can have positive implications for food security by clearing land for more intensive agriculture.
• How does forest clearance enhance energy security?

  Forest clearance for hydroelectric power, coal mines, or oil/gas drilling enhances energy security.
• What does the environmental Kuznets curve model predict?

  The model predicts how the environmental impact of human activity changes as a country becomes more economically developed.
• What does the Kuznets Curve graph plot?

  The Kuznets Curve is a bell curve plotted with income on the x-axis and environmental degradation level on the y-axis.
• What characterizes low-income traditional societies according to the Kuznets Curve?

  Low-income traditional societies have small populations, basic technologies, and are surrounded by abundant natural wilderness.
• How do attitudes towards the environment change in middle-income emerging countries?

  In middle-income emerging countries, the environment is seen as a vast resource that can be exploited to improve human wellbeing.
• What happens in high-income developed countries regarding environmental degradation?

  High-income developed countries exhibit a falling level of environmental degradation as they shift to tertiary and quaternary economies.
• What technologies are developed in high-income countries to address pollution?

  New technologies are developed that reduce pollution and increase efficiency in resource use.
• What is the role of NGOs in reducing forest loss?


  NGOs play an important role in reducing forest loss through campaigns that raise awareness of the threat.
• How can household concern for forest loss influence government policy?

  Household concern for forest loss can lead to government policy changes, such as the protection of forest areas.
• What is the significance of the formation of political parties focused on environmental issues?

  The formation of political parties where the environment is the main priority, such as the Green Party, signifies growing concern for environmental issues.
• What role does government play in forest protection?

  Government has an important role in designing taxes, subsidies, import restrictions, and regulations that protect forests.
• How can governments ensure sustainable practices in the timber industry?

  Governments must ensure that firms facing higher costs through sustainable actions are not undercut by cheaper products.
• What are the ecosystem services provided by forests?

  • Provisioning services: food, water, raw materials, fuel
  • Regulating services: water cycle regulation, carbon sinks, landslide prevention
  • Cultural services: construction materials, sustainable hunting, aesthetic value
• What are the stages of the environmental Kuznets curve model?

  1. Low income: traditional societies with low environmental impact
  2. Middle income: industrialization increases resource demand and pollution
  3. High income: shift to tertiary/quaternary economies with reduced environmental degradation
• What historical events reflect the concern for environmental impact?

  • First National Park in Yellowstone, USA, 1872
  • RSPB founded in 1889
  • Forestry Commission founded in 1919
• What trends have been observed in forest conservation since 2000?

  • 13% of forests now 'conserved'
  • Rapid increase in protected forest areas in Asia and Africa
  • FAO reported a 25% decrease in net global deforestation rate between 1990 and 2015
• What are the challenges faced by NGOs in forest conservation?

  • Threats and violence from companies or corrupt governments
  • Need for consumer pressure on TNCs for sustainable timber
  • Influence on government policy changes
• What is the main topic discussed in the study material?

  The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
• How do increased temperatures affect evaporation rates?

  Increased temperatures lead to higher evaporation rates and more water vapor in the atmosphere.
• What implications do increased evaporation rates have on precipitation patterns?

  They can lead to changes in precipitation patterns, river regimes, and water stores.
• What is the predicted effect of the enhanced greenhouse effect on evaporation rates?

  Evaporation rates are predicted to increase due to higher air temperatures.
• What happens to the capacity of air to hold water vapor as temperatures rise?

  Warmer air temperatures increase the capacity of air to hold water vapor.
• What is absolute humidity?

  It refers to the higher quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere.
• Where is rainfall predicted to be more intense?

  In the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and at the Polar Front.
• How is the latitudinal pressure gradient expected to change due to warming?

  The latitudinal pressure gradient is predicted to reduce, shifting atmospheric convection cells polewards.
• What is the predicted change in precipitation totals at latitudes 70°-80°N&S?

  Precipitation totals are predicted to increase.