The Living world
Cover
ed in
class
Revisio
n
undert
aken
Using an example from the UK I can explain the interrelationship
within the natural system
I can define and give UK examples of producers consumers
decomposer food chain food web and nutrient cycle
I can explain their interdependence of each of the above and
explain how changes might affect each other
I can describe the distribution and characteristics of global
ecosystems around the world
Tropical rainforests (core content) I can describe the physical characteristics of the tropical
rainforests
I can explain the interdependence of the climate water soils
plants animals and people in a tropical rainforest
I can explain how plants and animals have adapted to the
physical conditions of tropical rainforests
I can describe and explain the problems and issues with changing
biodiversity within the tropical rainforest
I can describe and explain the changing rates of deforestation
I can use a case study to explain the causes of deforestation
subsistence and commercial farming
1 Logging
2 Road Building
3 Mineral Extraction
4 Energy Development
5 Settlement
6 Population Growth
I can use a case study to explain the impacts of deforestation
1 Economic development
2 Soil erosion
3 Contribution to climate change
I can explain the importance and value of the tropical rainforest
on a local national and international scale
I can explain why it is important the tropical rainforest should be
managed sustainably
I can explain how the tropical rainforest can be managed
sustainably using a range of methods
1 Selective logging and replanting
2 Conservation and education
3 Ecotourism
4 International agreements about the use of tropical
hardwoods
5 Debt reduction
What is an ecosystem
How do ecosystems work
An ecosystem is a living community of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) which is linked to
the natural environment where they live Each element in the system depends upon and
influences others They are interrelated There are often complex relationships between the
living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components Abiotic components include the climate
(primarily temperature and rainfall) soil water and light Ecosystems can be identified at
different scales A local ecosystem can be a pond or a hedge Larger ecosystems can be lakes
or woodlands It is also possible to identify ecosystems on a global scale such as tropical
rainforests or deciduous woodland These global ecosystems are called biomes
Every ecosystem works in the same way
1) Plants use sunlight water and nutrients from the soil to produce their own food
via photosynthesis and are called producers
2) Animals feed on plants (herbivores) or animals (carnivores) and are called
consumers
3) Fungi and bacteria feed on dead and waste material and make things break down
or rot These are called decomposers and recycle nutrients for plants to use again
Without plants all other living things would die
A food chain shows the different elements that live in an ecosystem and what eats what
to survive A food web is more complex and shows all the different elements in a habitat
and how they interrelate
Changes to the ecosystem
Different parts of an ecosystem depend on each other and theres a fine balance between
them A change in one part of the ecosystem will affect other parts and upset the balance
Ecosystems around the world are facing changes including
Climate change - which can affect where species can live when they reproduce and the
size of their populations
Habitat change - the conversion of land for farming can lead to a loss of habitat for huge
numbers of species
Pollution - which for example can reduce oxygen levels in wetlands and rivers (killing
fish) and also cause rapid plant and algae growth (called algae blooms)
The Nutrient Cycle
Distribution of Biomes
Different ecosystems are found in different parts of the world due to the influence of climate and soils The
vegetation adapts to the climate and soils and is in harmony with it Global ecosystems are known as
biomes The dominant type of vegetation cover usually defines a biome On a global scale climate is the
main factor which influences the distribution and characteristics of natural vegetation cover This is
because climate affects the growth conditions for vegetation
1) Temperature - especially the seasonal pattern and length of the growing season
2) Precipitation - particularly the total amount and how its distributed throughout the year
3) Sunshine - which determines the amount of light available for photosynthesis
4) Rates of evaporation transpiration and humidity
Tropical rainforest
Climate
The daily temperature is about 28C It never goes below 20C and rarely above 35C It is a
very wet climate at least 2000mm of rain falls a year This makes the atmosphere very hot
and humid There are no real seasons Each days weather is the same - starting off hot and
dry with thunderstorms and heavy rain in early evening
Case Study Tropical Rainforest
Soil
The soils are red in colour and rich in iron They have a thick layer of litter (dead leaves etc) but only a
thin fertile layer because the leaves decompose very quickly in the humid conditions The soils are not
very good for plants to grow in as nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil because of heavy rainfall
Vegetation
The vegetation in rainforests grows in distinct layers and has adapted to the climate and poor soils
Trees are very tall and trunks are thin to reach sunlight Buttress roots support these tall trees in
shallow soils Lianas are woody vines that climb high to reach the sunlight Leaves in the tropical
rainforest have drip tips to allow rainfall to drip down to the lower layers and shed heavy rainfall easily
- Tropical rainforest is removed for a range of reasons This has economic social political and
environmental repercussions
- Tropical rainforests are increasingly at threat from deforestation Governments are viewing the
rainforests as an untapped resource which can aid them in economic development
- Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia Along with neighbouring countries the natural vegetation is
tropical rainforest Nearly 63 of Malaysia is forested and commercial tree crops primarily rubber and oil
palm occupy a further 13 Trees and forest cover an area equivalent to the whole of the UK Malaysian
rainforests support over 5500 species of flowering plants 2600 species of tree and 1000 species of
butterflies The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in
the world some 140200 ha of forest have been lost on average each year
Malaysia Case Study
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees often on a very large scale
Logging Malaysia became the worldrsquos largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s Clear felling where
all trees are chopped down in an area was common This led to the total destruction of forest habitats
Recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective logging where only fully-grown trees are cut
down Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Road Building Roads are constructed to provide access to mining areas new settlements and energy
projects Logging requires road construction to bring machinery and take away timber
Energy Development in 2011 after five decades of delays the controversial Bakun Dam in Sarawek started
to generate electricity The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asiarsquos highest dam outside of China Several more dams
are planned to boost Malaysiarsquos electricity supplies The dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular
Malaysia The damrsquosreservior flooded over 700km2 of forests and farmland
Mineral Extraction (Mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia Rainforest has been
cleared for mining and road construction Drilling for oil and gas has recently started in Borneo
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
What is an ecosystem
How do ecosystems work
An ecosystem is a living community of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) which is linked to
the natural environment where they live Each element in the system depends upon and
influences others They are interrelated There are often complex relationships between the
living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components Abiotic components include the climate
(primarily temperature and rainfall) soil water and light Ecosystems can be identified at
different scales A local ecosystem can be a pond or a hedge Larger ecosystems can be lakes
or woodlands It is also possible to identify ecosystems on a global scale such as tropical
rainforests or deciduous woodland These global ecosystems are called biomes
Every ecosystem works in the same way
1) Plants use sunlight water and nutrients from the soil to produce their own food
via photosynthesis and are called producers
2) Animals feed on plants (herbivores) or animals (carnivores) and are called
consumers
3) Fungi and bacteria feed on dead and waste material and make things break down
or rot These are called decomposers and recycle nutrients for plants to use again
Without plants all other living things would die
A food chain shows the different elements that live in an ecosystem and what eats what
to survive A food web is more complex and shows all the different elements in a habitat
and how they interrelate
Changes to the ecosystem
Different parts of an ecosystem depend on each other and theres a fine balance between
them A change in one part of the ecosystem will affect other parts and upset the balance
Ecosystems around the world are facing changes including
Climate change - which can affect where species can live when they reproduce and the
size of their populations
Habitat change - the conversion of land for farming can lead to a loss of habitat for huge
numbers of species
Pollution - which for example can reduce oxygen levels in wetlands and rivers (killing
fish) and also cause rapid plant and algae growth (called algae blooms)
The Nutrient Cycle
Distribution of Biomes
Different ecosystems are found in different parts of the world due to the influence of climate and soils The
vegetation adapts to the climate and soils and is in harmony with it Global ecosystems are known as
biomes The dominant type of vegetation cover usually defines a biome On a global scale climate is the
main factor which influences the distribution and characteristics of natural vegetation cover This is
because climate affects the growth conditions for vegetation
1) Temperature - especially the seasonal pattern and length of the growing season
2) Precipitation - particularly the total amount and how its distributed throughout the year
3) Sunshine - which determines the amount of light available for photosynthesis
4) Rates of evaporation transpiration and humidity
Tropical rainforest
Climate
The daily temperature is about 28C It never goes below 20C and rarely above 35C It is a
very wet climate at least 2000mm of rain falls a year This makes the atmosphere very hot
and humid There are no real seasons Each days weather is the same - starting off hot and
dry with thunderstorms and heavy rain in early evening
Case Study Tropical Rainforest
Soil
The soils are red in colour and rich in iron They have a thick layer of litter (dead leaves etc) but only a
thin fertile layer because the leaves decompose very quickly in the humid conditions The soils are not
very good for plants to grow in as nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil because of heavy rainfall
Vegetation
The vegetation in rainforests grows in distinct layers and has adapted to the climate and poor soils
Trees are very tall and trunks are thin to reach sunlight Buttress roots support these tall trees in
shallow soils Lianas are woody vines that climb high to reach the sunlight Leaves in the tropical
rainforest have drip tips to allow rainfall to drip down to the lower layers and shed heavy rainfall easily
- Tropical rainforest is removed for a range of reasons This has economic social political and
environmental repercussions
- Tropical rainforests are increasingly at threat from deforestation Governments are viewing the
rainforests as an untapped resource which can aid them in economic development
- Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia Along with neighbouring countries the natural vegetation is
tropical rainforest Nearly 63 of Malaysia is forested and commercial tree crops primarily rubber and oil
palm occupy a further 13 Trees and forest cover an area equivalent to the whole of the UK Malaysian
rainforests support over 5500 species of flowering plants 2600 species of tree and 1000 species of
butterflies The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in
the world some 140200 ha of forest have been lost on average each year
Malaysia Case Study
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees often on a very large scale
Logging Malaysia became the worldrsquos largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s Clear felling where
all trees are chopped down in an area was common This led to the total destruction of forest habitats
Recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective logging where only fully-grown trees are cut
down Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Road Building Roads are constructed to provide access to mining areas new settlements and energy
projects Logging requires road construction to bring machinery and take away timber
Energy Development in 2011 after five decades of delays the controversial Bakun Dam in Sarawek started
to generate electricity The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asiarsquos highest dam outside of China Several more dams
are planned to boost Malaysiarsquos electricity supplies The dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular
Malaysia The damrsquosreservior flooded over 700km2 of forests and farmland
Mineral Extraction (Mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia Rainforest has been
cleared for mining and road construction Drilling for oil and gas has recently started in Borneo
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Changes to the ecosystem
Different parts of an ecosystem depend on each other and theres a fine balance between
them A change in one part of the ecosystem will affect other parts and upset the balance
Ecosystems around the world are facing changes including
Climate change - which can affect where species can live when they reproduce and the
size of their populations
Habitat change - the conversion of land for farming can lead to a loss of habitat for huge
numbers of species
Pollution - which for example can reduce oxygen levels in wetlands and rivers (killing
fish) and also cause rapid plant and algae growth (called algae blooms)
The Nutrient Cycle
Distribution of Biomes
Different ecosystems are found in different parts of the world due to the influence of climate and soils The
vegetation adapts to the climate and soils and is in harmony with it Global ecosystems are known as
biomes The dominant type of vegetation cover usually defines a biome On a global scale climate is the
main factor which influences the distribution and characteristics of natural vegetation cover This is
because climate affects the growth conditions for vegetation
1) Temperature - especially the seasonal pattern and length of the growing season
2) Precipitation - particularly the total amount and how its distributed throughout the year
3) Sunshine - which determines the amount of light available for photosynthesis
4) Rates of evaporation transpiration and humidity
Tropical rainforest
Climate
The daily temperature is about 28C It never goes below 20C and rarely above 35C It is a
very wet climate at least 2000mm of rain falls a year This makes the atmosphere very hot
and humid There are no real seasons Each days weather is the same - starting off hot and
dry with thunderstorms and heavy rain in early evening
Case Study Tropical Rainforest
Soil
The soils are red in colour and rich in iron They have a thick layer of litter (dead leaves etc) but only a
thin fertile layer because the leaves decompose very quickly in the humid conditions The soils are not
very good for plants to grow in as nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil because of heavy rainfall
Vegetation
The vegetation in rainforests grows in distinct layers and has adapted to the climate and poor soils
Trees are very tall and trunks are thin to reach sunlight Buttress roots support these tall trees in
shallow soils Lianas are woody vines that climb high to reach the sunlight Leaves in the tropical
rainforest have drip tips to allow rainfall to drip down to the lower layers and shed heavy rainfall easily
- Tropical rainforest is removed for a range of reasons This has economic social political and
environmental repercussions
- Tropical rainforests are increasingly at threat from deforestation Governments are viewing the
rainforests as an untapped resource which can aid them in economic development
- Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia Along with neighbouring countries the natural vegetation is
tropical rainforest Nearly 63 of Malaysia is forested and commercial tree crops primarily rubber and oil
palm occupy a further 13 Trees and forest cover an area equivalent to the whole of the UK Malaysian
rainforests support over 5500 species of flowering plants 2600 species of tree and 1000 species of
butterflies The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in
the world some 140200 ha of forest have been lost on average each year
Malaysia Case Study
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees often on a very large scale
Logging Malaysia became the worldrsquos largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s Clear felling where
all trees are chopped down in an area was common This led to the total destruction of forest habitats
Recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective logging where only fully-grown trees are cut
down Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Road Building Roads are constructed to provide access to mining areas new settlements and energy
projects Logging requires road construction to bring machinery and take away timber
Energy Development in 2011 after five decades of delays the controversial Bakun Dam in Sarawek started
to generate electricity The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asiarsquos highest dam outside of China Several more dams
are planned to boost Malaysiarsquos electricity supplies The dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular
Malaysia The damrsquosreservior flooded over 700km2 of forests and farmland
Mineral Extraction (Mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia Rainforest has been
cleared for mining and road construction Drilling for oil and gas has recently started in Borneo
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Distribution of Biomes
Different ecosystems are found in different parts of the world due to the influence of climate and soils The
vegetation adapts to the climate and soils and is in harmony with it Global ecosystems are known as
biomes The dominant type of vegetation cover usually defines a biome On a global scale climate is the
main factor which influences the distribution and characteristics of natural vegetation cover This is
because climate affects the growth conditions for vegetation
1) Temperature - especially the seasonal pattern and length of the growing season
2) Precipitation - particularly the total amount and how its distributed throughout the year
3) Sunshine - which determines the amount of light available for photosynthesis
4) Rates of evaporation transpiration and humidity
Tropical rainforest
Climate
The daily temperature is about 28C It never goes below 20C and rarely above 35C It is a
very wet climate at least 2000mm of rain falls a year This makes the atmosphere very hot
and humid There are no real seasons Each days weather is the same - starting off hot and
dry with thunderstorms and heavy rain in early evening
Case Study Tropical Rainforest
Soil
The soils are red in colour and rich in iron They have a thick layer of litter (dead leaves etc) but only a
thin fertile layer because the leaves decompose very quickly in the humid conditions The soils are not
very good for plants to grow in as nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil because of heavy rainfall
Vegetation
The vegetation in rainforests grows in distinct layers and has adapted to the climate and poor soils
Trees are very tall and trunks are thin to reach sunlight Buttress roots support these tall trees in
shallow soils Lianas are woody vines that climb high to reach the sunlight Leaves in the tropical
rainforest have drip tips to allow rainfall to drip down to the lower layers and shed heavy rainfall easily
- Tropical rainforest is removed for a range of reasons This has economic social political and
environmental repercussions
- Tropical rainforests are increasingly at threat from deforestation Governments are viewing the
rainforests as an untapped resource which can aid them in economic development
- Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia Along with neighbouring countries the natural vegetation is
tropical rainforest Nearly 63 of Malaysia is forested and commercial tree crops primarily rubber and oil
palm occupy a further 13 Trees and forest cover an area equivalent to the whole of the UK Malaysian
rainforests support over 5500 species of flowering plants 2600 species of tree and 1000 species of
butterflies The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in
the world some 140200 ha of forest have been lost on average each year
Malaysia Case Study
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees often on a very large scale
Logging Malaysia became the worldrsquos largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s Clear felling where
all trees are chopped down in an area was common This led to the total destruction of forest habitats
Recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective logging where only fully-grown trees are cut
down Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Road Building Roads are constructed to provide access to mining areas new settlements and energy
projects Logging requires road construction to bring machinery and take away timber
Energy Development in 2011 after five decades of delays the controversial Bakun Dam in Sarawek started
to generate electricity The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asiarsquos highest dam outside of China Several more dams
are planned to boost Malaysiarsquos electricity supplies The dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular
Malaysia The damrsquosreservior flooded over 700km2 of forests and farmland
Mineral Extraction (Mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia Rainforest has been
cleared for mining and road construction Drilling for oil and gas has recently started in Borneo
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Case Study Tropical Rainforest
Soil
The soils are red in colour and rich in iron They have a thick layer of litter (dead leaves etc) but only a
thin fertile layer because the leaves decompose very quickly in the humid conditions The soils are not
very good for plants to grow in as nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil because of heavy rainfall
Vegetation
The vegetation in rainforests grows in distinct layers and has adapted to the climate and poor soils
Trees are very tall and trunks are thin to reach sunlight Buttress roots support these tall trees in
shallow soils Lianas are woody vines that climb high to reach the sunlight Leaves in the tropical
rainforest have drip tips to allow rainfall to drip down to the lower layers and shed heavy rainfall easily
- Tropical rainforest is removed for a range of reasons This has economic social political and
environmental repercussions
- Tropical rainforests are increasingly at threat from deforestation Governments are viewing the
rainforests as an untapped resource which can aid them in economic development
- Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia Along with neighbouring countries the natural vegetation is
tropical rainforest Nearly 63 of Malaysia is forested and commercial tree crops primarily rubber and oil
palm occupy a further 13 Trees and forest cover an area equivalent to the whole of the UK Malaysian
rainforests support over 5500 species of flowering plants 2600 species of tree and 1000 species of
butterflies The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in
the world some 140200 ha of forest have been lost on average each year
Malaysia Case Study
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees often on a very large scale
Logging Malaysia became the worldrsquos largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s Clear felling where
all trees are chopped down in an area was common This led to the total destruction of forest habitats
Recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective logging where only fully-grown trees are cut
down Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Road Building Roads are constructed to provide access to mining areas new settlements and energy
projects Logging requires road construction to bring machinery and take away timber
Energy Development in 2011 after five decades of delays the controversial Bakun Dam in Sarawek started
to generate electricity The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asiarsquos highest dam outside of China Several more dams
are planned to boost Malaysiarsquos electricity supplies The dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular
Malaysia The damrsquosreservior flooded over 700km2 of forests and farmland
Mineral Extraction (Mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia Rainforest has been
cleared for mining and road construction Drilling for oil and gas has recently started in Borneo
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
- Tropical rainforest is removed for a range of reasons This has economic social political and
environmental repercussions
- Tropical rainforests are increasingly at threat from deforestation Governments are viewing the
rainforests as an untapped resource which can aid them in economic development
- Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia Along with neighbouring countries the natural vegetation is
tropical rainforest Nearly 63 of Malaysia is forested and commercial tree crops primarily rubber and oil
palm occupy a further 13 Trees and forest cover an area equivalent to the whole of the UK Malaysian
rainforests support over 5500 species of flowering plants 2600 species of tree and 1000 species of
butterflies The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in
the world some 140200 ha of forest have been lost on average each year
Malaysia Case Study
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees often on a very large scale
Logging Malaysia became the worldrsquos largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s Clear felling where
all trees are chopped down in an area was common This led to the total destruction of forest habitats
Recently clear felling has largely been replaced by selective logging where only fully-grown trees are cut
down Trees that have important ecological value are left unharmed
Road Building Roads are constructed to provide access to mining areas new settlements and energy
projects Logging requires road construction to bring machinery and take away timber
Energy Development in 2011 after five decades of delays the controversial Bakun Dam in Sarawek started
to generate electricity The Bakun Dam (205m) is Asiarsquos highest dam outside of China Several more dams
are planned to boost Malaysiarsquos electricity supplies The dam supplies energy for industrialised Peninsular
Malaysia The damrsquosreservior flooded over 700km2 of forests and farmland
Mineral Extraction (Mainly tin and smelting) is common in Peninsular Malaysia Rainforest has been
cleared for mining and road construction Drilling for oil and gas has recently started in Borneo
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Population Pressure In the past poor urban people were encouraged by the government to move into the
countryside from the rapidly growing cities This is called transmigration Between 1956 and the 1980s
about 15000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers Many then set up plantations
Commercial Farming Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world During the 1970s large
areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations Plantation owners receive 10 year tax incentives so
increasing amounts of land have been converted to plantations
Subsistence farming Tribal people living in the rainforest practise subsistence farming Traditionally local
communities would hunt and gather food from the forest and grow some food crops in cleared pockets of
forest This type of farming is small scale and sustainable One method of clearing land is lsquoslash and burnrsquo
This burning creates valuable nutrients that helps the plants grow These can grow out of control
destroying large areas of forest
Malaysia EffectsImpacts of Deforestation
Positive Negative
Social 1) Poor urban dwellers have had the opportunity to set up businesses and improve their quality of life
2) Better transportation links 3) Large scale farming provides food 4)
Indigenous tribes forced to move
Economic 1) Area has become economically profitable and has contributed to Malaysias GNP
2) Profits can be used to improve Malaysias infrastructure and level of development
Profits from the businesses in the area rarely go to local people
Environmental 1) Thousands of hectares of rainforest have been destroyed
2) Amount of virgin rainforest cover has decreased dramatically
3) Loss of habitats 4) Survival of species including the
orang-utan is threatened
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Malaysia Managing Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests need to be managed sustainably International co-operation is needed
In order to manage the rainforest sustainably a variety of management techniques have
been used in Malaysia
National Forest Policy
Widespread logging in Malaysia started after the Second World War due to improvements in technology
(eg chainsaws trucks etc) The government responded by passing the National Forestry Act in 1977 The
Act paved the way for sustainable management of Malaysias rainforests and had the following aims
develop timber processing to increase the profitability of the exported wood and reduce demand for raw
timber The export of low-value raw logs is now banned in most of Malaysia
encourage alternative timber sources (eg from rubber trees) increase public awareness of the forests
increase research into forestry
involve local communities in forest projects One of the main initiatives of the 1977 Act was to introduce a
new approach to forest management known as Selective Management System This is recognised as one of
the most sustainable approaches to tropical forestry management in the world
Selective Logging and Replanting provides careful consideration
But a lack of trained officials to enforce and monitor the system across the country has led to the
continuation of abuses and illegal activities Remedial measures such as replanting have not always been
carried out satisfactorily Deforestation is still taking place in Borneo where land is being converted into oil
palm plantations
Permanent Forest Estates and National Parks
The government to identify Permanent Forest Estates These are areas which are protected with no
development or conversion of land use allowed Large areas of forest however are used for commercial
logging Some 10 of the forested land (mainly primary forest areas) have special conservation status
ensuring the survival of the rainforest habitats and species
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry
Products that have been sourved from sustainably manged forests carry the FSC label The FSC aims to
educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy wood from sustainable sources It also aims
to reduce demand for rare and valuable tropical hardwoods
Developing Tourism
Malaysia has promoted its forests as destinations for ecotourism This aims to introduce people to the
natural world without cauisng any environmental damage The great benefit of ecotourism is that it
enables the undisturbed natural environment to create a source of income for local people without it being
damaged or destroyed
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Worldwide Initiatives
Rainforests are valuable resources which poor countries want to use to expand their economies and
increase their level of development As well as timber rainforests occupy land that could be used for
commercial agriculture such as plantations or ranching Valuable mineral resources such as bauxite copper
or iron may be present in the rock below the forests To expect countries not use these resources available
to them is naive even though they are important at a global scale To encourage poorer countries to not
develop their rainforest areas various strategies have been used globally
Debt relief rainforests are recognised globally and attributed a monetary value Countries are paid to
maintain the rainforests this could take the form of debt relief (countries are relieved of some of their debt
in return for protecting their rainforests)
Carbon sinks in recocognition of rainforests role in reducing global warming money is given to support
rainforest areas as a way of reducing carbon dioxide levels globally eg Gola Forest Sierra Leone is
supported by the European Commission the French Government and the RSPB
The Living World ndash Answer the following questions to demonstrate your
knowledge and help with your revision
Ecosystems exist at a range of scales and involve the interaction between biotic and
abiotic components
An example of a small scall ecosystem Hene Centre Pond
Complete the key terms list below by adding the correct definitions
Ecosystem ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Biotic components __________________________________________________
Abiotic components _________________________________________________
Describe the pond ecosystem shown opposite
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Complete the table below with the correct definitions and give an example for each that
would be found in a freshwater pond
Term Definition Example
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Food chain
Food web
Nutrient cycling
Ecosystems are very fragile and if there is a change to one component it may well have a
knock-on effect on the rest of the ecosystem Complete the natural and human causes of
change in an ecosystem
Natural changes Changes due to human activity
How can changes affect the pond ecosystem Complete another flow diagram below for
another change
More perch (predators) are added to the pond Smaller fish and frogs are
eaten Less food for creatures higher up the food chain eg herons
More creatures lower down the food chain like slugs
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Large-scale ecosystems are known as global ecosystems or biomes (see map below)
Explain why ecosystems tend to form
broad belts across the world from east to
west parallel to the lines of latitude
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Complete the table below outlining the location and characteristics of each biome
Global
ecosystem
Location Characteristics
Tropical
rainforest
Desert
Tundra
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforest ecosystems have a range of distinctive characteristics
Where are tropical rainforests found
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the climate like
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Why is the temperature constantly high in the rainforest
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is the rainfall high
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why does the amount of rainfall vary throughout the year
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Give 2 reasons why the soils in tropical rainforests are infertile
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Annotate the photograph below to describe and explain how plants have adapted to the
rainforest
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Explain 3 animal adaptations that enable species to survive in tropical rainforests
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Deforestation has economic and environmental impacts
Every 2 seconds an area of rainforest the size of a football field is destroyed Rainforests
once covered 155 million km2 but now it is just over 62 million km2
Why is the rate of deforestation now decreasing in Brazil
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is happening to the rainforests in Malaysia compared to Brazil
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________
A case study of a tropical rainforest Malaysia
Describe the location of the Malaysia and its
rainforests
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
What are the causes of deforestation in the rainforests in Malaysia Complete the table
below to outline each of the causes
Cause Information
Subsistence and commercial
farming
Logging
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
What are the impacts of deforestation
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion
__________________________________
__________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_
How does deforestation contribute to climate change
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Complete the table below to show how deforestation can have both economic gains and
economic losses
Economic gains for the country Economic losses for the country
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Tropical rainforests need to be managed to be sustainable
Complete a mind map below to explain why tropical rainforests are valuable to people and the
environment
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you
Rainforests need to be managed sustainably so that we can still use valuable resources but
without causing long-term damage for future generations Complete the table below outlining
how rainforests can be managed sustainably ndash include specific facts where possible
Sustainable strategies How do they work
Selective logging and
replanting
Conservation and
education
Ecotourism
International
agreements
Please see your teacher if there is any are of this that you are unsure of
If you could like your work to be marked please present this to a teacher and we will go
through it with you