Case study of the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Should we cut down the rainforest ?
Deforestation means the chopping down and removal of trees to clear an area of forest. The loss of biodiversity and loss of trees lead to climate change, soil erosion, increase greenhouse gasses, and much more. On the contrary, the tropical rainforest provides economic gain and has rich resources for the human population. Therefore, the question lay, should the rainforest be cut down or not?
Reasons for deforestation are that using the natural resources from the rainforest provides the population with daily necessities like wood for paper or furniture, food as well. In addition to this, it gives the people of Brazil jobs to earn a living and support themselves and family. Alongside this it helps the country with their economic gain, you can see this as Brazil used to be a low-income country, and now it is a Newly Emerging Economy. This shows that using the resources of the rainforest highly benefits the Brazilian people.
In contrast to this, however, deforestation in the rainforest heavily impacts everyone globally because of the reduction of oxygen supply (one-third of it being in the rainforest) it increases CO2 levels which have a knock-on effect on Greenhouse-gasses and Climate Change. A further reason to support this point is that the Amazon Rainforest is the most biodiverse ecosystem on the Earth, a typical patch of rainforest holds 1500 species of plant, 750 species of trees, and 700 species of animal. If we let people cut down the rainforest so many important species will go extinct. It is estimated that the rainforest could lose 30%-45% of its main species by 2030. Not only does it impact the climate but the cultural diversity of Brazil too. It can be seen that not all Brazilians benefit from the cutting of forest resources, indigenous tribes have used traditional ways of life to live in the rainforest. There has been a significant decline of tribes in 1900 from 330 to 240 most of them forced out by construction workers, logging, the opening of mines, and many more factors. This concludes that although it may benefit some Brazilian, it doesn't benefit at all from climate change and biodiversity.
In conclusion, I think that the Rainforest should be used respectably and sustainably for its resources. However in our current situation because of our high increase in Greenhouse gasses we should focus on regrowing the rainforest. Furthermore, helping educate everyone around the world and reduces the debt rate for Brazil so their country and the. rest of the world can help reduce the impacts of climate change
This is written in more of an essay-like form. Things to improve in the essay is that I could have linked in more environmental, social, and economic factors like HEP, Mining, Logging, agriculture, cattle crops. The next case study is based on a 9 marker, it includes the improved version with the feedback that I applied.
Why should the rainforest be protected ?
"The rainforest is more valuable when left intact than when destroyed"
I wish to support this statement that when left intact the rainforest is more valuable. This is a case study in Brazil, South America. The reasons that I will dicuss are Climate Change, Loss os bio-diversity and the Indeigenous Tribes.
The social impacts of the rainforest staying intact is that Indegenous tribes will be able to stay alive. Indeigenous tribes have a significat role in thr rainforest as they carry along with them generations of medical remidies that have potential to cure disease we may not know of. In adition to this they posses an enourmas body of almost irreplaceable information and skills about living in the rainforest sustainably. Unfourtunaltely, from 1900 there has been a noteble decline in Indeginenous Tribe from 330 to 240.
Another reason why we should value the raiforest is of Environmental factors. As a matter of fact deforestation disrupts the water cycle and means that there is more CO2 in the air. Why is this imporatant? The felling of trees means that evaportaion is lost making the local air much drier. As 1/3 of the worlds trees are grown in the rainforest cutting it down would majorly effect the worlds oxygen supply.Leaving the rainforest intact means that Climate Chnge would refuse signinicantly.
The final but not the last reason that the rainforest is more valuable intact is of its biodiversity. It is estimated that 137 plants, animals and insects species are being lost every day and along with it cures to life threatening diseases. Biodiversity underpins the health of the planet and has direct impact of our lives. It illustrates that a major amount of people will be effeted by loss of biodiversity in the rainforest.
In conclusion the rainforest is more valuable when left intact because it provides us with many resources like fresh water, oxygen, cures for diseases and enriches the divesity of our culture and life. The rainforest if destoryed will never be able to be there for the future generations either.
This case study is based on a 9 marker question, it is the improved verion. I changed it by focusing more of the quality than the quantity as in exam condition I wouldnt be able to write as much. I also added to the conclusion on what it would hold for the future generations.
How have plants in the tropical rainforest ecosystem adapted to their physcical condition ?
Plants have adapted to the tropical rainforest in many ways. Emerent trees, which are roughly 60m, have adapted to grow above the canopy layer in order to reach sunlight. Drip tip leaves are designed fr the rainfall to travel over them and drip to the ground so it doesn't damge the vegitation from the harsh rain. Lianas climb up trees to get to the canopy and reach for sunlight. Fan Palms have huge wide leaves that help absorb as much sunlight possible. This shows how the plants in the rainforest have adapted to the harsh conditions of the rainforest.
Explain how ecotourisim can be an effective stratergy in the sustabiable mangement of tropical rainforest ?
Ecotourisim can be an effective stratergy to sustain the management of the tropical rainforest because it brings money to the area, making money for people in small vilages. It gives jobs and opportunities as some people might be reliable on cutting down the rainforest in an unsustainable manner to earn a living. Ecotourism can help protect the local flora and fauna as the goal of ecotourisim is to protect our natural habitat. Follwing from this it helps educate children and adults on protecting the environment, leadin to help the future generations.
