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Examine the causes and impacts of deforestation on a local and a global scale. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 15 - 2012
Question 15
Examine the causes and impacts of deforestation on a local and a global scale.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine the causes and impacts of deforestation on a local and a global scale. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 15 - 2012
Step 1
Examine the causes of deforestation
Answer
Deforestation is driven by various causes that can be grouped into local and global factors.
Local Causes:
- Agricultural Expansion: Farmers often clear forests to create more land for crops and livestock. This practice not only reduces biodiversity but can also lead to soil erosion.
- Logging: Unsustainable logging practices can lead to significant deforestation. Selective logging might seem less harmful, but it disrupts the ecosystem and can lead to more extensive logging efforts later on.
- Infrastructure Development: Urbanization and infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and buildings require forest clearing, leading to habitat destruction.
Global Causes:
- Climate Change: As temperatures rise, forests are more vulnerable to wildfires and pests, leading to increased rates of tree mortality.
- Global Demand for Resources: The international market’s appetite for products like palm oil, soy, and timber incentivizes countries to clear forests for these cash crops.
- Population Growth: A growing global population increases the demand for food, resources, and land, fostering more deforestation activities.
Step 2
Examine the impacts of deforestation on a local scale
Answer
The impacts of deforestation at a local scale can be significant, affecting both the environment and communities:
- Loss of Biodiversity: Many species depend on forests for habitat. Deforestation leads to habitat loss and can result in the extinction of local flora and fauna.
- Soil Erosion: Without trees to anchor the soil, erosion can occur, which degrades land and can lead to lower agricultural yields.
- Disruption of water cycles: Trees play a critical role in maintaining local climates and water cycles. Deforestation can lead to reduced rainfall and altered weather patterns, affecting agriculture and water availability.
- Social Conflicts: As land is cleared and resources become contentious, local communities may face displacement or conflict over access to remaining natural resources.
Step 3
Examine the impacts of deforestation on a global scale
Answer
On a global scale, deforestation contributes to numerous environmental and social issues:
- Climate Change: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When trees are cut down, the stored carbon is released, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
- Global Biodiversity Loss: The extinction of species due to habitat loss affects global biodiversity. This loss weakens ecosystems and diminishes natural resources that communities depend on worldwide.
- Disruption of Global Water Cycles: Large-scale deforestation can alter rainfall patterns far beyond the areas where trees are removed, impacting agriculture and water supply in distant regions.
- Economic Impact: The loss of forests can affect industries that rely on forest resources, such as tourism and sustainable forestry, leading to long-term economic challenges both locally and globally.