Deforestation in Costa Rica Objectives of unit to

Deforestation in Costa Rica Objectives of unit: • • to understand the causes of deforestation to recognise the impacts of deforestation to evaluate the strategies used for managing the rainforest to examine the rates of deforestation. Case Study: Limón tropical rainforest, Costa Rica. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 1

Tropical rainforest in Costa Rica Limón tropical rainforest Deforestation began in the 19 th century when areas were cleared for coffee and banana plantations. Towards the end of the 20 th century it was realised that over 40% of the forest had already been lost and that unless something was done, all the Costa Rican tropical rainforest was at risk of disappearing. To what extent do you agree with the view that tropical rainforests should be cleared for farming and settlements? © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 2

Why should the rainforest be saved? 1. Tropical rainforests play an important role in the global water cycle as the huge areas of trees produce large amounts of water vapour through transpiration. The trees also store water in their branches and leaves and their leaves intercept water until it evaporates or falls to the ground. Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 3

Why should the rainforest be saved? 2. Tropical rainforests play an important role in the global carbon cycle as the trees absorb CO 2 in photosynthesis and make new carbon compounds. CO 2 is returned to the atmosphere when the trees are cut down and burnt. Trees also act as a carbon store. Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 4

Why should the rainforest be saved? 3. It is estimated that global tropical rainforests produce 40% of the oxygen in the atmosphere. Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 5

Why should the rainforest be saved? 4. Tropical rainforests play an important role in the way communities can mitigate and adapt to climate change. Action can be taken to protect existing forests and to plant new ones because trees help reduce the impacts of climate change. Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 6

Why should the rainforest be saved? 5. This ecosystem is home to numerous species of trees, plants, animals, birds, insects and amphibians. Many of these provide us with valuable resources such as medicines and hardwoods. This biodiversity is too valuable to be lost for ever. Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 Discuss the reasons why the deforestation of the tropical rainforest was a concern to both the national and the international community. 34473 7

What did they do to save the rainforest? Recently cleared land in the Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 In many areas the rainforest has been completely cleared. 34473 8

What did they do to save the rainforest? So much rainforest had been cleared by 1990, it was agreed that something needed to be done to slow the rate of deforestation. This was achieved in a series of steps: Step 1: identify who was cutting down the trees Step 2: understand why they were cutting down the trees Step 3: assess the impacts of the deforestation Step 4: decide on and implement sustainable strategies Step 5: evaluate how successful these strategies have been © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 9

Step 1: identify who was cutting down the trees Step 2: understand why they were cutting down the trees Could any of these groups of people have been responsible for cutting down the trees in Limón rainforest? • • • Subsistence farmers Commercial farmers Logging companies National government of Costa Rica Tourism companies Environmental organisations (NGOs) © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 10

1. Get into six groups. 2. Each group will play the role of a different interest group. 3. Read your information sheet and decide: a. if the interest group was responsible for any deforestation b. the reasons why the group might have cleared the rainforest. 4. Report back to the class and fill in the table. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 11

Step 3: assess the impacts of the deforestation Biodiversity decreases as ecosystems and habitats are lost Roads, bridges, ports and airports can be built enabling more trade Without the trees, the tropical soils are exposed to the heavy rain and are easily eroded Climate change can occur due to less transpiration and photosynthesis Homes and schools can be built for the growing population Large banana and coffee plantations can be planted and the crops exported Without the shade from the trees, the land can be baked hard and the earth heats up Further economic development takes place leading to a higher standard of living New towns can be built and new jobs created Covering the ground with buildings and roads increases surface runoff leading to flooding Clearing the rainforest results in different impacts. Sort these statements into two groups: • positive impacts • negative impacts. Identify and colour the economic impacts one colour and identify and colour the environmental impacts another colour. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 Soil is eroded from the land washed into the rivers leading to more sedimentation 34473 12

Impacts of deforestation Negative impacts Without the trees, the tropical soils are exposed to the heavy rain and are easily eroded Positive impacts Soil is eroded from the land washed into the rivers leading to more sedimentation Homes and schools can be built for the growing population Large banana and coffee plantations can be planted and the crops exported Further economic development takes place leading to a higher standard of living Climate change can occur due to less transpiration and photosynthesis Biodiversity decreases as ecosystems and habitats are lost New towns can be built and new jobs created Covering the ground with buildings and roads increases surface runoff leading to flooding Without the shade from the trees, the land can be baked hard and the earth heats up Roads, bridges, ports and airports can be built enabling more trade Economic impacts Environmental impacts Suggest reasons why all the negative impacts of deforestation are environmental. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 13

Step 4: decide on and implement sustainable strategies Ecotourism in Limón rainforest Replanting Conservation Education Selective logging Ecotourism International agreements • Debt reductions • • • A school in Limón rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 These strategies can be used to slow down the rate of deforestation: 34473 14

Sustainable management strategies Replanting • New trees planted within rainforest • Forest plantations – growing rows of a tree • Agroforestry – mixing trees and crops Conservation • Setting up national parks • Setting up nature reserves • Non-governmental organisations protecting species or areas of the rainforest Selective logging • Only the high value trees such as mahogany are cut down • Replacement trees replanted Education • Students to receive environmental and biodiversity education • Subsistence farmers receive training and certification in sustainable agriculture Debt reductions • Debt-for-nature swapping International agreements • Countries agree to sell only timber that has come from sustainably managed legal forests • Consumers buy from certified sources Ecotourism • Small groups of tourists visit to see wildlife in their natural environment • Waste is recycled and renewable energy used. Local food and drink is consumed and local people are employed • Codes of conduct for visitors are followed © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 15

Advantages and disadvantages of sustainable management strategies Read resource sheet 2 in pairs. Draw a mind map of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the different sustainable management strategies. Extension: Decide which strategy each interest group chose to use. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 16

Example of mind map Most of the forest is left untouched Forest can be damaged Forests are protected and poorer countries repay less Rapid tree growth Selective logging Debt reduction Only a short term solution Advantages Disadvantages © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 An expensive option and unsuitable species can be used Replanting International agreements Countries join together to protect forests People know how and why to protect trees Education Ecotourism Can be too expensive for poorer people Hard to put agreements into practice 34473 Forests out of bounds to local people Conservation Sustainable management strategies Forests remain untouched Modern techniques can replace traditional practices Gives an economic value to the forests and wildlife 17

Strategies that Costa Rica used In your groups read resource sheet 3. Eco-tourists on Tortuguero canals What sustainable management strategies has Costa Rica used to slow down the rate of deforestation? rainforest Howler monkey in Limón Rainforest © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 18

Strategies that Costa Rica used Costa Rica has implemented all these different management strategies in order to achieve the sustainable management of its rainforests. Since 2010, Costa Rica has enjoyed strong and stable economic growth, 3. 8% in 2017. Exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are its biggest exports. Its impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 19

Have the strategies worked? Year Forest km 2 % forest cover Km 2 lost per year Rate % 1980 31 000 60 190 1. 4 1990 27 000 52 185 1. 3 2000 26 000 51 180 0. 4 2010 25 500 50 175 0. 2 2020 25 000 49 170 0. 1 Use the data in this table to complete the following activities: 1. Draw a bar graph to show the extent of forested land in Costa Rica 1980 -2020. 2. Draw a line graph to show the rate of deforestation 1980 -2020. 3. Describe the patterns of change shown by these graphs. 4. To what extent have the efforts made to slow the rate of deforestation succeeded? © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 20

Have the strategies worked? Forested land in Costa Rica Rate of deforestation Land covered in km 2 35000 Rate of deforestation 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 Rate % 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Year Forested land has decreased by 6000 km 2 1, 6 1, 4 1, 2 1 0, 8 0, 6 0, 4 0, 2 0 Rate of deforestation has decreased since 1990 by 1. 3% 34473 21

What have been the effects of the sustainable management strategies they adopted in Limón rainforest? Consensus task • In groups, draw a large circle in the middle of the A 2 sugar paper. In silence, each member of the group writes an answer around the circle not in it. Can be positive or negative, can be political, economic, social, technological or environmental. • Now read each other’s answers. Together write an answer to the question inside the circle. • In your books, write your own answer. To summarise this information complete the categorising task on your worksheet. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 22

Examination question Use a case study to explain why sustainable management schemes are needed in some areas of tropical rainforest. (9 marks) © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 23

True or false? Statement True False 1. Costa Rica is in South America. 2. CO 2 is returned to the atmosphere when the trees are burnt down. 3. Tropical rainforest trees are all coniferous. 4. Farming and logging are major causes of deforestation. 5. There are many positive economic impacts of deforestation. 6. Sustainable management strategies ensure that the forest is protected for future generations. 7. The rate of deforestation has increased in Costa Rica. 8. Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity is the major reason its tourism industry is growing. © www. teachit. co. uk 2019 34473 24