1. What are the causes of deforestation?
Lesson Outcomes
Explain the significance of Maximum Sustainable Yield and replanting.
Describe reasons for land clearance.

2. What is Maximum Sustainable Yield?
The volume of wood that can be removed annually, in perpetuity and which the forest or plantation will replace annually in new growth
e.g. UK plantation of Sitka spruce
Trees planted close together to promote rapid, straight, un-branched growth
Periodic thinning prevents overcrowding as the trees age
Volume of timber removed in any thinning is crucially important
If too little, the remaining trees compete for nutrients and light, reducing their growth rates
If too much, the available nutrients and light are not fully utilised by the remaining trees & harvest volume < MSY

3. Highlight the key words
Rewrite the information in no more than 40 words to create your own definition of
MSY

4. Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest
Where is this?
Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

5. Where is the Amazon Rainforest?
Key term - Deforestation is the removal of trees where the land after is used for a different purpose.
Where is the Amazon Rainforest?
The Amazon is the largest rainforest on earth.
It covers an area of around 8 million km2 which is roughly the size of Europe.
It covers parts of Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia.
A typical 10km2 area contains 1500 types of plants and 750 tree species.
It is home to nearly 1 million Amazonian Indian people who rely on the forest for food and shelter.
Brazil has a GNP (earnings per person per year) of US$3640.
Since 1960 about 600,000km2 of the Amazon Rainforest has been cleared by human activities – that’s about the same size as France. An area the size of Wales is removed every year.

6. What are the main reasons for removal of rainforests?
Slash and burn agriculture (shifting cultivation)
Farming – 34%
Commercial ranching – 60%
Mineral extraction (mining) – 1%
Commercial logging – 3%
Road building – 1%
Population pressure (building settlements) – 1%
Now, using the video and information cards, provide evidence for and explain the main reasons for the removal of rainforests in the Amazon since the 1960s.

7. Reservoirs and HEP as a cause of deforestation in the Amazon Basin.
Complete a Point, Evidence Explain for the Tucurui Dam.

8. What is the Forest Stewardship Council
FSC = an NGO established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests
Forest owners who want FSC accreditation have to manage their forests sustainably and products marked with the FSC label should come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations
Example FSC rules:
Prohibit conversion of forests or any other natural habitat
Respect of international workers rights
Respect of Human Rights with particular attention to indigenous peoples
Prohibit the use of hazardous chemicals
No corruption – follow all applicable laws
Identification and appropriate management of areas that need special protection (e.g. cultural or sacred sites, habitat of endangered animals or plants