Land use and deforestation

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

  Land
• Why do humans use land?

  For building, farming, and resource extraction
• What is the consequence of using more land for human activities?

  Less land is 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
• What is the main reason for deforestation?

  To clear land for farming
• What is one use of land cleared from forests?

  Raising cattle
• What are biofuels?

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

  Clearing forests for wood
• Where is deforestation currently happening a lot?

  Tropical regions with rainforests
• What is one major consequence of deforestation related to carbon dioxide?

  Trees no longer photosynthesize, increasing CO2
• How does burning forests affect the environment?

  It releases stored carbon as CO2
• What happens to biodiversity when forests are destroyed?

  Biodiversity massively reduces
• What are peat bogs?

  Acidic and waterlogged areas of land
• Why do microorganisms struggle in peat bogs?

  Too acidic and waterlogged for survival
• What substance forms in peat bogs?

  Peat
• What is the role of peat in relation to carbon?

  Stores carbon instead of releasing it
• What happens when peat bogs are drained?

  Microorganisms decompose plants, releasing CO2
• Why is peat sometimes removed from bogs?

  For burning as fuel or compost
• What is a consequence of destroying peat bogs?

  Reduces biodiversity and may cause extinctions
• What are the main problems caused by deforestation?

  1. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
  2. Release of carbon from burning trees
  3. Loss of biodiversity and extinction of species
• What are the consequences of draining peat bogs?

  • Release of stored carbon as CO2
  • Return of microorganisms that decompose plants
  • Reduction of habitats for organisms