Geog paper 1

• What climate encourages high rates of biodiversity?

  Warm and wet climate
• How does a warm and wet climate affect vegetation?

  It encourages a wide range of vegetation
• What contributes to rapid plant growth in rainforests?

  Large amounts of nutrients
• Why is the wood of the rainforest significant?

  It remains untouched
• What happens when keystone species are removed from an ecosystem?

  It destroys the entire ecosystem
• What can the decline in species cause for tribes living in forests?

  They could suffer
• What may become extinct due to biodiversity decline?

  Plants or animals
• Why are medical plants important?

  They may become extinct
• What economic activities contribute to deforestation?

  Mining, farming, and logging
• What valuable export does Malaysia produce?

  Palm oil
• How does loss of biodiversity affect tourism?

  It reduces tourism
• What happens to soil after deforestation?

  It becomes vulnerable to rain
• What can soil roots do when land is exposed?

  They can cause floods
• How does deforestation affect the climate?

  It makes the climate drier
• What role do forests play in carbon storage?

  They are carbon sinks
• What happens when trees are burnt?

  They release more carbon
• What is the most widely reported cause of rainforest destruction?

  Logging
• What are hardwoods used for?

  Furniture and paper
• What can happen between indigenous tribes and logging companies?

  Violent confrontations
• What precious resources are found in the rainforest?

  Precious metals
• What can happen due to mineral extraction?

  Environmental degradation
• How are indigenous people affected by mineral extraction?

  They are displaced from their land
• What energy resource is created from high rainfall?

  Hydro electric power
• What is the Bakun Dam built for?

  Creating energy
• What can uncontrolled exploitation cause?

  Irreversible damage
• What are possible strategies for rainforest sustainability?

  • Agro-forestry: growing trees and crops together
  • Selective logging: only cutting mature trees
  • Education: teaching consequences of deforestation
  • Afforestation: replanting cut forests
  • Forest reserves: protecting areas from exploitation
  • Ecotourism: promoting conservation through tourism
• What is "slash and burn" agriculture?

  Large scale clearing of land for farming
• What is a consequence of cattle ranching?

  It uses large areas of land
• What environmental issues arise from large exposed areas?

  River pollution and soil erosion
• What is a negative impact of mass tourism?

  Building hotels in vulnerable areas
• What is a consequence of road building in forests?

  Violent conflicts with indigenous tribes
• What is the climate of hot deserts?

  Very little rainfall, extreme temperatures
• What is the average rainfall in hot deserts?

  Less than 250 mm per year
• What adaptations do cacti have for survival?

  Needles instead of leaves
• What adaptations do camels have for desert survival?

  Humps for storing fat
• What opportunities do deserts provide?

  Valuable minerals and energy resources
• What is desertification?

  Turning semi-arid areas into deserts
• What causes desertification related to fuel wood?

  Removal of trees exposes soil
• What happens with over-cultivation?

  Nutrients in soil are depleted
• How do plants adapt to reduce water loss?

  Needles reduce surface area