5. How should we manage deforestation?
Protecting our rainforest
Measures used to protect tropical rainforests in the Amazon and Singapore-
Governments are involved in managing and protecting the rainforests through various organisations and carry out measures aim to achieve long-term benefits for the environment.
However there are limitations to the success of managing and protecting the rainforest.
In the Amazon, there is often a loss of forest due to illegal loggers and the use of surveillance technology is expensive. To police the vast forest area is also labour-intensive. There may also be conflicts between different groups of people (e.g. cattle ranchers, illegal loggers, farmers and settlers) who have different opinions on deforestation.
Reforestation
Planting of trees where the original forest has been cleared. For example, Reforestation in Peru, organised by a company called Latin America Travel Association Foundation which buys seedlings from and pays local communities to plant tree. A total of 70,000 trees were planted in 2011.
However, reforestation takes a a long time, about 15 years for a rainforest canopy to form. The reforestation projects also depend on the availability of native plants for reforestation.
Controlled logging
Penalties such as fines and imprisonment enforced on timber companies that carry out illegal logging.
However, the rainforest covers a large area, making it difficult to track illegal loggers.
Education and research programmes to inform timber companies of the damage caused by deforestation and discussion of measures to manage extent of the damage.
Selective logging
Selective logging helps to keep part of forest cover intact as only trees of commercial value are logged. Partial vegetation coverage reduces the problem of soil erosion and biodiversity is not reduced as much as for clear felling. Selective logging helps reduce overcrowding in the dense rainforest and the remaining trees may grow better.
However, trees that are logged may fall on and destroy nearby trees as well, especially if the trees are linked by lianas and vines.Transport of logs is more difficult because remaining trees are in the way. Biodiversity will still decrease compared to protecting forested areas and studies have found that areas that are selectively logged tend to be totally cleared of forest within a few years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Cn1FwuRpg
Public Education
Raising public awareness
For example the World Wide Fund for Nature produces publications which provide current information about the state of the rainforest to creates awareness of the rich biodiversity in the rainforest so that people are more mindful about the way they use the rainforest resources.
However, turning environmental awareness into personal behaviour and action is difficult. Moreover raising awareness of the Amazon rainforest is difficult in some countries with low literacy rates.
Ecotourism
For example the MT Amazon Expeditions organises trips to parts of the Amazon rainforest in Peru where participants get to explore and understand the forests. The money raised goes back into research and conservation of the rainforest.
How Brazil is halting deforestation
Ecotourism in Amazon
However, Ecotourism, which is supposed to preserve the wildlife habitats, may actually be causing more harm to the wildlife. The noise disturbs the animals and this may endanger the survival of the animals. Tour operators should limit the number of tourists and the types of activities allowed in the rainforest. Tourists also play a part in not creating too much noise and disturbing the animals when they visit the forest.
Conserving tropical rainforests in Singapore
Protection of forested area
Reforestation
Public awareness
In Singapore, the measures require a large amount of time, effort and resources, from the planning of the study, to finding of volunteers and monitoring outcomes. It is difficult to measure the success of conservation measures.
Forested areas in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Central catchment areas and parts of the Singapore Botanic Gardens are protected as nature reserves by the Parks and Trees Act 2005.
Ecolink@ BKE is an initiative to protect our rainforest.
Access the interactive graphic from the link below to find out more on the ecolink
Eco-Link is a bridge which connect the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It encourages animal crossings
between the two reserves, hence preserving the biodiversity of the rainforest. However, there are also trails on the link for people to enjoy extended hikes. We need to ensure that the plants and wildlife on the Eco-link are not destroyed by the people using the link or hiking via the trails.
Read the following article on how animals are killed on the links
Safer animal crossings with new Mandai wildlife bridge
CNA 7 Nov 2019
One challenge faced in carrying out protection of forested areas in Singapore:
In Singapore, there is a need to balance development and biodiversity conservation in a small urban setting.
Reforestation projects were carried out by the National Parks Board (NParks)since 1991. 15 Hectares at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve have been replanted with 17000 saplings of 150 native species. The rainforest in the Singapore Botanic Garden was reforested because more than 80% of its plants are rare or endangered. Another reforestation project is Forests of Giants to reintroduce emergent trees to Singapore forests. Sites selected are Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park in the Southern Ridges.
Expanding Sungei Buloh Wetland
Singapore to plant One Million trees by 2030
Public education by the Singapore government e.g. trails and guided walks in the nature reserves inform the public about the biodiversity of the rainforest. Visitors to the rainforest walking trail at the Singapore Botanic Gardens not only enjoy the rainforest but also learn about its rich biodiversity and value.
Various websites also provide information on upcoming nature-related events and also help to promote volunteerism through biodiversity interest groups.
The elements of biodiversity conservation is also incorporated into the school curriculum.