6.8.A Forest loss

Question 1

Forest Lost in the UK

Answer 1

Forest cover of UK reduced from 90% to 10% by end of 19th century.
But now 13% of the UK’s land is now forested
Less emphasis on timber production and more on planting fast growing confers such as Stika spruce.

Question 2

climate regulation

Answer 2

Climate regulation:

• Forests act as carbon sinks.
• Deforestation leads to increase GHG emissions, so climate change.
• More extreme weather events – droughts, flooding etc.
• Affects human well – being: damages crops, reduce water supply.
• EXAMPLE: Amazon, deforestation has altered rainfall patterns. NE Brazil (semi arid region) experiencing reduced rainfall and prolonged droughts. Harms small scale farmers reducing crop yields and increasing food security. Thus whilst deforestation fro agriculture can create short term economic gains in long term land quality degrades so economic viability diminishes, rising poverty and migration to urban areas.

Question 3

loss of livelihoods

Answer 3

Loss of Livelihoods:

• 1.6B rely on forests for fuel, medicine and income.
• Forest loss threatens rural and indigenous communities via displacement and loss of traditional knowledge and culture.
• EXAMPLE: Indigenous tribes in Amazon (Kayapo) face habitat destruction and loss of resources.

Question 4

water cycle disruption

Answer 4

Water Cycle Disruption:

• Forests regulate water cycle through evapotranspiration.
• Trees release moisture in atmosphere, contributing to cloud formation and local rainfall.
• Less evapotranspiration, less rainfall, local droughts.
• Tree removal reduces canopy cover, causing more surface runoff during rain – soil erosion, mudslides.
• EXAMPLE: Borneo, large scale deforestation for palm oil has reduced regional rainfall. Increased flash floods due to compacted soils and loss of natural vegetation. Jan 2021 Town of Bintulu in Sarawak experienced flashfloods – hundreds evacuated and roads, homes, schools submerged.

Question 5

wildfires

Answer 5

Wildfires:

• Forest fires, often a result of deforestation, release large amounts of particulate matter, aerosols, and carbon dioxide, degrading air quality. This leads to health issues, especially respiratory problems.
• Forest fires also cause huge damage to property and can affect people’s livelihoods in the long term.
• EXAMPLE: 2025 California wildfires, over 18,000 homes destroyed. Many did not have insurance as it was too expensive and thus they will now face deep financial struggles.

Question 6

forest loss - different across locations

China

Answer 6

Forests Loss – different locations:

• Afforestation and reforestation projects:

o China’s Grain for Green programme – restoring forests to prevent soil erosion and desertification.

§ 2015 forest cover = 22.2% of China’s territory which was up from 16.4% in 1990.

§ Set the target to achieve forest cover 30% of its land by 2050.

§ Planting more than 4M hectares of forest every year.

Question 7

forest loss - different across locations

UK

Answer 7

o UK forest cover increase:
§ Reduced from 90% to 105 by end of 19th century.
§ But now 13% of land us now forested.

Question 8

why the Kuznet curve cannot be universally applied

Answer 8

• Link to the Kuzent Curve:

o Early development: during economic growth, forest loss initially high.

o Later development: after certain level of income, rising wealth + education means stronger environmental protection laws and consumer pressure.

o May result in stabilization or recovery of environmental quality.

• BUT does not supply universally as many LIC’s suffer long term damage without reaching the turning point.

o DRC = LIDC, containing 2nd largest tropical rainforest.

o Deforestation has continued for logging for timber exports, fuelwood collection for heating and cooking and a weak government that lacks enforcement on environmental protection laws.

o Long term damage without turning point -> country remains heavily reliant on forest resoruces and poverty drives this exploitation. Unlike EDC’s that fololow the EKC and eventually invest in environment recovery, LIC’s lack financial or institutional capacity to reverse damage.

Thus, EKC does not apply everywhere.

Question 9

What does the Kuznet curve say?

Answer 9

• Level of environmental degradation dependent on economic development, creating a inverted U shaped curve.
• Early stage of development - degradation increases due to priorities being industrial growth, urbanization, resources exploitation. High pollution during industrialization in developing nations.
• Turning point - as economies growth + reach certain level of income, environmental quality is valued. Leads to cleaner tech and strict policies.
• Later stage of development: AC’s, economic growth decoupled with environmental harms. Advanced tech, sustainable practies, regulations = decreased environmental degradation.
  Most countries follow this Kuzent curve - Singapore, Qatar quanities of oil and gas they export which skews data.