Deforestation Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

Give three reasons for large-scale deforestation in tropical areas.

To provide land for cattle, to provide land for rice fields, and to grow crops for biofuels.

Give two reasons why deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Burning and decay of the trees releases carbon dioxide; fewer trees remain to take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

What effect does large-scale deforestation have on biodiversity?

It reduces it — habitats are destroyed, so species lose their food and shelter and numbers of species fall.

True or false? Replacing rainforest with a field of one crop such as maize takes in just as much carbon dioxide.

False. The crop takes in less carbon dioxide per day and only grows for part of the year.

True or false? Growing crops for biofuels is one cause of tropical deforestation.

True. Land is also cleared for cattle and rice fields.