Land use and deforestation

• What is considered the most important limited resource for humans?

  Land
• What are some uses of land by humans?

  Building, farming, quarrying, dumping waste
• What is the consequence of using more land for human activities?

  Less land available for other organisms
• What are the knock-on effects of converting land?

  It damages the environment further
• What is the term for cutting down forests?

  Deforestation
• Why is deforestation done?

  To clear land for farming and resources
• What is one main reason for clearing forests?

  To raise cattle
• What are biofuels?

  Plant-based fuels burned instead of fossil fuels
• What is logging?

  The process of cutting down trees for wood
• Where is deforestation currently happening a lot?

  In tropical regions with rainforests
• What is one consequence of removing trees from forests?

  Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• How does burning forests contribute to global warming?

  It releases stored carbon as carbon dioxide
• What happens to biodiversity when forests are destroyed?

  Biodiversity massively reduces
• What are peat bogs?

  Acidic, waterlogged areas with stored carbon
• What happens to microorganisms in peat bogs?

  They can't survive due to acidity and water
• What substance forms in peat bogs?

  Peat
• Why is peat beneficial for the environment?

  It stores carbon and reduces global warming
• What happens when peat bogs are drained?

  Microorganisms decompose plants, releasing carbon
• What is one use of removed peat?

  As a fuel or compost in gardens
• How quickly is peat bog destruction occurring?

  Much more quickly than new ones can form
• What is the impact of destroying peat bogs on biodiversity?

  It reduces biodiversity and may cause extinctions
• What are the main consequences of deforestation?

  • Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
  • Release of carbon from burning trees
  • Reduced biodiversity and extinction of species
• What are the main consequences of peat bog destruction?

  • Release of stored carbon as carbon dioxide
  • Reduced biodiversity and potential extinctions
  • Loss of habitat for various organisms