Management of Deforestation How should we manage deforestation

Management of Deforestation

How should we manage deforestation? The blue line shows the amount of forests that will be lost from 2012 onwards if we do nothing and continue with deforestation. The red line shows a target we can meet if we take action.

How should we manage deforestation? Conservation: Protecting the environment and its natural resources from harm which involves maintenance, restoration and wise management of resources to avoid permanent depletion of resources

How should we manage deforestation? Sustainable resource management: Careful use of resources (e. g. protecting forests) to ensure their availability in the future Governments need to be actively involved in passing laws to ensure resources are sustainably managed Each of us plays an important role in conserving the forests

How should we manage deforestation? PROTECTION OF FORESTED AREAS REFORESTATION CONTROLLED LOGGING PUBLIC EDUCATION

PROTECTION OF FORESTED AREAS

Protection of forested areas: Setting of laws to protect an area from unfavourable activities which might endanger the biodiversity and natural resources found in the area Unsustainable logging and agricultural practices are banned Indigenous and traditional communities living in these areas are preserved

Question: What kind of protection measures or laws should be set? Visit: www. govote. at Code:

Answer: Fines or imprisonment More patrolling by park rangers Educating logging companies and policymakers etc.

Protection of forested areas in the Amazon Central Amazon Conservation Complex Largest protected area (60, 000 km 2) in the Amazon Basin – highest biodiversity in the world Four protected areas in the complex Some of these areas conserve biodiversity through working with indigenous communities Some are protected for research and education Others are totally protected The land to the left of the river is the eastern edge of the Jau National Park. The park is the largest forest reserve in South America and covers an area greater than 5. 6 million acres.

Protection of forested areas in Singapore Tropical rainforests are protected as nature reserves by the Parks and Trees Act 2005 They are set aside for the conservation of native biodiversity, education, research and recreation Main nature reserves: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Protection of forested areas in Singapore The Parks and Trees Act 2005 contains guidelines for visitors to the nature reserves to minimise disturbance to the rainforest.

Protection of forested areas in Singapore Eco-Link Built to connect the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve which is separated by the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE)

Protection of forested areas in Singapore Eco-Link Purpose: Enables animals, birds and insects to move freely along the connecting bridge Allows for the effective exchange of native plant and animal genetic material between the two nature reserves

REFORESTATION

Reforestation Reforestation: Planting of trees in areas where the original forest has been cleared Often involves non-profit organisations, companies and local communities Takes a long time – 15 years for a rainforest canopy to form

Reforestation in Peru Organised by LATA (Latin America Travel Association) Foundation Large amount of the money goes back to the local communities through the purchase of seedlings and planting of trees 70, 000 trees were planted in 2011

Reforestation in Singapore Helps improve the condition of the forests where some areas had poor soil and vegetation due to unsustainable agricultural practices and collection of firewood in the past Since 1991, National Parks Board (NParks) together with students, volunteers and organisations have replanted 15 hectares of the nature reserve with 17, 000 saplings of 150 native species Interested to participate in ‘plant-a-tree’ programme? visit http: //www. gardencityfund. org

Reforestation in Singapore Intends to conserve and recover native plant species For example: The rainforest in the Singapore Botanic Gardens was reforested because more than 80% of its plants are rare or endangered (e. g. Meranti Laut) Forests of Giants: Emergent trees are reintroduced to Singapore forests

Question: Why should the rare and endangered plants be reforested? Visit: www. govote. at Code:

Answer: - They might become extinct. - They might have medicinal value etc.

CONTROLLED LOGGING

Controlled Logging Careful management of forests that are being logged Logging Has allowed only in certain areas to be done in a sustainable manner e. g. only selected plant species can be logged

Controlled Logging There are several ways to control logging: Penalties (fines and imprisonment) enforced on irresponsible timber companies that carry out illegal logging Education and research programmes Inform timber companies of the damage caused Discuss measures to manage extent of damage Cutting down selected species of trees

Controlled Logging in the Amazon Timeline shows the action taken by the Brazilian government to control logging in the Amazon Refer to pg 111

Controlled Logging in Brazil The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources Programme: Every tree that is logged is accounted for Prevents Benefits total clearance of a forest shared with locals who help run this programme

PUBLIC EDUCATION

Public Education People’s attitudes and practices towards rainforests need to be changed People need to be told of the importance of rainforests and ways to contribute to conserving rainforests World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Produces publications which provide current information about the state of the rainforest

Question: What is the purpose of creating public awareness of the state of the rainforest? Visit: www. govote. at Code:

Answer: - Awareness of the rich biodiversity in the rainforest - Hopefully causes people to be more mindful about the way they use rainforest resources

Public Education Ecotourism MT Amazon Expeditions organises trips to parts of the Amazon rainforest Activities include natural history study, bird watching, kayaking, photography Money raised goes back into research and conservation of the rainforest

Public Education in Singapore Amazonia in Singapore Exhibition Embassy of Brazil in Singapore launched the exhibition Showcased the biodiversity of the rainforest and raised awareness of management and conservation strategies Multi-sensory Photographs Sustainable experience of the rainforest of indigenous communities and artefacts fashion pieces

Public Education in Singapore government aims to promote people’s understanding of our forests by: Increasing appreciation, awareness and understanding of nature through public seminars, road shows and events Promoting volunteerism through biodiversity interest groups Incorporating elements of biodiversity conservation into the school curriculum

Public Education in Singapore Trails and guided walks in the nature reserves Inform the public about the biodiversity of the rainforests Internet Widely used tool for educating the public about Singapore’s biodiversity Websites contain articles, photographs and information on upcoming nature-related events in Singapore

Question: Besides educating the public about Singapore’s biodiversity, what is another purpose of such websites? Visit: www. govote. at Code:

Answer: Singaporeans can participate as volunteers in conserving Singapore’s nature. This builds a community of people who care about Singapore’s natural heritage.

What do you think? Refer to pg 112

What are the benefits and challenges PROTECTION OF FORESTED AREAS REFORESTATION CONTROLLED LOGGING PUBLIC EDUCATION

PROTECTION OF FORESTED AREAS Benefits Challenges Important in the conservation of our indigenous ecosystems and native biodiversity Protected areas are not fenced and are still vulnerable to human impact Useful for educational and recreational purposes, and scientific study In the Amazon, officers responsible for monitoring the protected areas may give in to corruption and allow loggers and miners to illegally enter protected areas Has helped to reduce deforestation in the Amazon There are not enough forest rangers to patrol the huge areas of the Amazon rainforest families illegally settling in the protected areas In Singapore, there is a need to balance development and biodiversity conservation

REFORESTATION Benefits Challenges Soil fertility can be improved Can be expensive and timewhich In the long term helps consuming sustain plant growth in the area Reduces erosion, maintains the Depends on the availability of water cycle, and preserves the native plants for reforestation rainforest habitat and biodiversity Creates more jobs for local communities e. g. producing seedlings to plant, tour guiding

CONTROLLED LOGGING Benefits Challenges Greater control of illegal Identifying and logging selected logging has led to a decrease in trees is time-consuming and deforestation in the Amazon difficult to implement In recent years, Brazil’s environmental enforcement agency has stopped several illegal loggers Areas designated for controlled logging in the Amazon still face threats from illegal loggers as the rainforest covers a large area, making it difficult to track illegal loggers

PUBLIC EDUCATION Benefits Challenges Has far-reaching effects, Turning environmental awareness especially in the long term where into personal behaviour and action it can help to change people’s is difficult mindsets, and increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of forests Knowledge and awareness can lead to action and participation from the community Raising awareness is difficult in some countries with low literacy rates Many of the countries around the Amazon rely on the rainforest and these countries obtain income from exports derived from the rainforest

Nature does not need people. People need nature.