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Cattle let off methane gas!

Unit 3 - Deforestation

GCSE Biology explores deforestation and its impacts, from habitat loss and extinctions to increased carbon dioxide levels that affect global warming and climate change.

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Fascinating Fact:

Sustainable forest management involves controlled logging, replanting trees and protecting key areas. This aims to balance resource use with conservation.

In GCSE Biology, deforestation is studied as the large-scale removal of forests for farming, timber and development. You examine how this changes habitats, disrupts food webs and alters the carbon cycle.

Key Terms

Deforestation: The large-scale cutting down or clearing of forests, usually by humans, often to create land for farming or settlements.
Biodiversity: The variety of different species of plants, animals and microorganisms living in a particular habitat or across the whole planet.
Reforestation: Planting trees on land where forest has been removed, helping to restore habitats and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions (click to see answers)

What is deforestation in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, deforestation is the removal of large areas of forest by humans. It is usually linked to agriculture, logging or development and can damage habitats and the carbon cycle.

How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Deforestation reduces biodiversity because many species lose their habitats and food sources. Some populations decline or become extinct when forests are cleared or broken into small, isolated patches.

How can the impacts of deforestation be reduced?

The impacts of deforestation can be reduced by limiting tree cutting, replanting trees, protecting wildlife-rich areas and using resources like timber more efficiently and responsibly.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

One reason for deforestation is to provide...

timber

waste

clean water

fire

Timber is another word for wood

2 .

Greenhouse gases can increase the temperature of the Earth by...

trapping heat in the atmosphere

increasing heat radiation

disappearing during the day

letting go of heat at night

Warmer conditions may sound pleasant but it's not as simple as that. Deserts will grow larger meaning there is less area for growing food crops and weather patterns will change as there is more energy in the atmosphere

3 .

Deforestation leading to increased cattle farming also increases global warming because of the release of which greenhouse gas?

Oxygen

Nitrogen

Ammonia

Methane

Cattle let off methane gas!

4 .

If peat bogs are removed, this can increase...

ozone levels

carbon dioxide levels

oxygen

water vapour

Destroying the peat bogs in order to build on them will reduce the uptake of carbon dioxide, leading to its build up in the atmosphere. Many gardeners now choose to use peat-free compost products in their gardens and greenhouses

5 .

Deforestation leads to what change in biodiversity?

A decrease in biodiversity

An increase in biodiversity

No change in biodiversity over many years

A decrease in biodiversity, followed by an increase

For a given area, biodiversity is a measure of the population size, number of species of animals and plants as well as the genetic variation within each species living there, the differences between species and the differences between ecosystems and habitats. If trees are removed, there are fewer habitats for plants and animals leading to a decrease in biodiversity

6 .

Slash and burn releases which gas into the atmosphere?

Carbon monoxide

Ozone

Carbon dioxide

Carbon

This carbon dioxide comes from the combustion of carbon compounds in the trees. Oxidation of carbon produces carbon dioxide

7 .

Global warming can lead to...

deforestation

climate change

new species

an ice age

Some areas like the British Isles will have more rainfall and high winds. Other places will have less rainfall, turning them into deserts

8 .

Burning trees contributes to global warming because...

combustion releases carbon dioxide

combustion needs oxygen

the trees die

there are more rice fields

This is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere making it warmer than it would be without them. This means that there is more energy available to power wind and other weather phenomena

9 .

What is deforestation?

Removal of carbon dioxide

Removal of water

Removal of trees

Removal of plants

Sustainable forestry avoids deforestation as new trees are planted to replace those cut down

10 .

Deforestation makes global warming worse because...

the trees have all gone

the trees would have taken up carbon dioxide

the trees would have given off oxygen