13 Human Interaction with Biomes The clearing and

13 Human Interaction with Biomes The clearing and felling of forests in Ireland from ancient settlers to present day The impact of deforestation on the tropical rainforest biome of Brazil Intensive agricultural practices and the impact they have on the tropical rainforest biome of Brazil Industrial development and the impact it has had on the Temperate Forest Biome of Europe

Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes Early settlement and clearing of forests, Ireland: Temperate Forest Biome § Deciduous mixed woodland § 5, 000 years, Neolithic people/Celts, farming and settlement § West, overgrazing, Burren § Increased 16 th-century English and Scottish planters, agri, roads, towns § 1922: 1% natural forest § Animals of biome extinct, e. g. wolf § Open to soil erosion, loss of fertility § 12% woodland in Ireland, lowest in rest of Europe is 31%

Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes Felling tropical rainforest, Brazil: tropical rainforest biome § Yanomani tribe, ‘slash and burn’ § Subsistence, sustainable exploitation § 1970 s deforestation increased demand for hardwoods, e. g. teak § 1800 2. 9 b, today 1. 5 b hectares § Unsustainable exploitation § 1950 s building of capital Brasilia, large-scale deforestation, 2. 3 m people § Soil erosion, exposed, leaching, landslides and mudflows, sheet erosion, flooding § Carbon sink, global warming

Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes Intensive agricultural practices, Brazil: tropical rainforest biome § Large cattle ranches, soya products § MNCs, soil exhaustion, overused, fertilisers, soil compaction § Soil erosion, denudation, nutrient cycle lost = laterite § Habitats destroyed, new species introduced, reduces biodiversity § 25% all pharmaceutical drugs, e. g. Aspirin, new cures lost, e. g. AIDS and cancer § Native people wiped out from 6 m in 1500 s to 250, 000 today § Brazilian government encourages deforestation § By 2050 40% rainforest destroyed

Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes Industrial development in Europe: Temperate Forest Biome § Primary cause: acid rain = industrial activity § 20% EU forests above critical load § Reduces forest growth § Aluminium levels in soil § Nutrient leaching § Fish: aluminium poisoning