Land & Forest

Resources
Uses, Misuses and Possible Solutions.
 Forest
O Forest are the natural vegetation covering of
land.

O 56% of the land surface in Latin America and

the Caribbean is covered by forest.
 Uses
- Provides lumber.
- Used in the paper industry.
- Recreational & tourist attraction.
- Educational e.g. field trips.
- Provides wind protection
- Provides ingredients to be used in medicines.
- Habitat for wild life.
 Benefits of Forest – Local level

- regulate water supplies

- prevent flooding
- support food production
- provides material for construction of
shelters.
- provides income e.g. lumber industry
- provides raw materials for cottage
industries.
Benefits – National level
O Development of wood and non wood based
industries.
O Provides a source of renewable energy.
O Enhances environmental stability and security
– protects the soil.
O Expansion of the tourism industry.
O Brings rain.
O Protects the watershed.
 Benefits – Global
O Absorbs carbon dioxide and helps decrease
global warming.

O Help regulate global climatic conditions.

What contributes to the decline of
forest?
O Deforestation.
O Agricultural expansion.
O Shifting cultivation and mining.
O Clearing land for industries and housing.
O Consumption of wood for energy.
O Forest fires.
Forest can be conserved by:
O Reforestation.
O Planting forest with tree crops.
O Controlled lumbering.
O Monitoring camp site fires.
O Regular patrols by forest rangers.
 Land as a Resource
O Uses of land:

- For agriculture

- Housing

- Industrial development

- Recreational purposes
 What contributes to Land
Pollution.
O Dumping of solid waste and sewage in vacant
lots, along roadsides and beaches.
O Dumping or burying of toxic waste.
O Improper use of poisonous pesticides and
fertilizers.
O Oil spills.
O Open pit mining.
O Dumping rubble and construction material in
open lots.
O Quarrying for building materials.
Land pollution is harmful!
O The following are the effects of land pollution;
- It encourages the breeding of rodents and flies
which contaminate food causing illnesses.
- Causes poisoning of the soil, reducing the
fertility and food production.
- Causes offensive odours.
- Revenue via tourism is decreased.
- Pollution of ground water.
How can we conserve land ?
O Land reclamation.
O Zoning.
O Improvement of farming techniques.
O Keeping open lots free of trash and garbage.
O Recycling solid waste.
O Using biodegradable materials for food
containers and shopping bags.
O Recycling electrical appliances and motor
vehicles.
Other types of pollution….
O Air pollution – Causes
- Toxic emissions from vehicles and factories.
- Dust particles from factories, mining activities
and quarrying operations.
- Smoke from burning solid waste.
- Spraying of agricultural crops.
- Volcanic ash and smoke.
 Effects of air pollution…
O It affects human health – respiratory aliments.
O Damages plant life
O Damages buildings
O Lead and other toxins in the air can impair
mental and physical development in children.
O Acid rain
O Contributes to the green house effect and
destruction of the ozone layer.
Conservation of the air through…..

O Use of unleaded gas

O Use of bio gas

O Use of filters at factories

O Recycling land fill materials

O Use of incinerators to burn refuse.

 Noise pollution

O Can be defined as the unwanted sound over

100 decibels which may result in temporary

hearing loss and other health issues.

Causes of noise pollution.
O Created by various forms of transportation.
O Noise from construction sites.
O Noise from commercial centres – malls
O Noise from public announcement systems,
street shows, parades, parties etc.
O Noise from house hold appliances and
equipment.