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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Case Study - Rainforest Example
Tropical rainforests are one of Earth's most complex and valuable ecosystems. They're found near the equator where it's warm and wet all year round. Despite covering just 6% of Earth's land surface, they're home to over 50% of the world's plant and animal species!
Key Definitions:
Rainforests have distinct layers:
Tropical rainforests are found:
The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest, spanning nine countries in South America, with 60% located in Brazil. It's often called the "lungs of the planet" because it produces about 20% of Earth's oxygen.
Despite its importance, the Amazon is being destroyed at an alarming rate. Between 1978 and 2020, over 750,000 square kilometres of forest were lost an area larger than France.
Responsible for 80% of deforestation in the Amazon. Brazil is the world's largest beef exporter, with much of the cattle raised on cleared rainforest land.
Especially soybean farming, which has expanded rapidly to feed global demand. Most soy is used for animal feed in countries like China and Europe.
Gold mining and timber extraction cause direct deforestation and also open up remote areas through road building, leading to further settlement.
The consequences of destroying the Amazon rainforest are far-reaching and affect both local and global environments.
Protecting rainforests requires balancing conservation with the economic needs of local people and countries. Several approaches have shown promise:
Brazil and other Amazonian countries have implemented various measures to protect the rainforest:
Brazil has created national parks and indigenous reserves covering about 43% of the Amazon. These areas have significantly lower deforestation rates.
Programs like REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) pay countries to preserve forests as carbon sinks.
Satellite technology allows real-time tracking of deforestation, helping authorities target illegal clearing and enforce laws.
This innovative Brazilian scheme pays forest communities to protect the rainforest. Families receive about £25 per month if they commit to zero deforestation and participate in sustainable development projects. Since its launch in 2007, it has helped protect over 10 million hectares of forest while improving livelihoods for over 9,000 families.
Rather than clearing forests, these approaches extract value while keeping the ecosystem intact:
Products like Brazil nuts, açaí berries and natural rubber can be collected without damaging trees. These "non-timber forest products" provide income for local communities while preserving the forest.
Example: A hectare of forest used for Brazil nut harvesting can generate more long-term income than if cleared for cattle.
Tourism focused on experiencing natural environments can provide economic alternatives to destructive activities. In parts of the Amazon, ecotourism lodges employ local people as guides and staff.
Example: Peru's Tambopata National Reserve generates more revenue from tourism than would be possible from logging or farming the same area.
Understanding the true value of rainforests helps make the case for their protection:
25% of modern medicines originated from rainforest plants, including treatments for cancer, malaria, heart disease and more. Yet scientists have only studied a small fraction of rainforest species for their medicinal properties.
Example: The rosy periwinkle from Madagascar's rainforests produces compounds that have increased childhood leukaemia survival rates from 10% to 95%.
Rainforests provide crucial services that would cost trillions to replace:
The fate of rainforests like the Amazon depends on addressing several key challenges:
However, there are promising signs. Many companies now commit to deforestation-free supply chains. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products. And indigenous communities are gaining recognition for their crucial role in forest protection.
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