Tropical rainforest

1, What are tropical rainforests and what is deforestation?

• • Characteristics of tropical rainforest as broad-leafed, mainly evergreen trees

    • Structure

    • Adaptation

    • Diversity of plant species

  • Deforestation is the cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area.

  • Uses of tropical rainforests

    • Water catchment

    • Green Lungs of the Earth

    • Habitat to flora and fauna, and indigenous people

    • Source of timber

    • Medical application

2. Where are tropical rainforests found and which areas have been deforested? Why does deforestation occur?

• • Global distribution of tropical rainforest is influenced by climate

  • Distribution of tropical rainforest in Singapore

  • Global distribution of deforested areas of tropical rainforest

  • Causes of deforestation

    • Agriculture

    • Cattle ranching

    • Logging

    • Mining

3. How does deforestation impact people and the environment?

• • Impact of deforestation on people and the environment

    • Environment

      • Loss of biodiversity

      • Loss of water catchment

      • Increase risk of flooding with soil erosion and sedimentation

      • Enhanced greenhouse effect

    • Economic

      • Depletion of natural resources

    • Social

      • Effect on indigenous people

4. How should we manage deforestation?

• • Conservation of tropical rainforest in Singapore and other countries

    • Protection of forested areas

    • Reforestation

    • Controlled logging

    • Public education