Deforestation — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Deforestation with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Deforestation explained
Deforestation is the large-scale removal of trees from tropical rainforests.
Read the full explanation
It happens mainly so land can be used for cattle ranching, for growing rice, and for crops such as sugar cane, oil palm and maize that are fermented or burned to make biofuels. Removing trees destroys habitats, reduces biodiversity, and can increase soil erosion and flooding because roots no longer hold soil and water. Burning cleared vegetation and later burning biofuels both release carbon dioxide, while fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. This links deforestation to global warming and to loss of species.
Your focus
- State the main reasons for large-scale deforestation in tropical areas.
- Describe the biological consequences of deforestation for habitats and biodiversity.
- Explain how deforestation can contribute to global warming through changes to the carbon cycle.
Deforestation exam tips
Marking Points
- Deforestation means clearing forest on a large scale, especially in tropical areas.
- Land is cleared to graze cattle and to grow rice for food.
- Land is also cleared to grow crops such as sugar cane, oil palm or maize used to produce biofuels.
- Removing trees destroys habitats and reduces biodiversity.
- Without roots, soil is easily eroded and rainwater can cause flooding.
- Burning cleared vegetation and burning biofuels releases carbon dioxide.
- Fewer trees means less carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis.
- These effects link deforestation to global warming and to loss of species.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Read the bullet points in the question carefully and name each land use in your answer.
- 💡Link each cause to a biological consequence such as habitat loss or reduced biodiversity.
- 💡Use the term biodiversity correctly and explain that fewer tree species means fewer habitats for other organisms.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking deforestation only provides land for cattle; correction: it also provides land for rice fields and for biofuel crops.
- Believing biofuels are always carbon neutral; correction: growing, processing and burning them still releases carbon dioxide and uses land.
- Confusing deforestation with planting trees; correction: deforestation is the removal of trees, not the planting of new ones.