Part 1

Click the link below to access an interactive map of world foresst

Bloch, M., & Corum, J. (n.d.). Changing forests. Retrieved from

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/01/scie…

You will first see a world map. Give it a general look to see the locations where intact, relatively undisturbed forests and fragmented forests occur.

Next, to gain a more detailed perspective on deforestation by region, zoom into the specific areas of the Earth. First, click on North America. There will again be a view of intact and fragmented forests. Also, notice the two buttons labeled “Recent Losses” and “Ancient Forests” on the bottom of the screen. Click these buttons to see recent deforestation in North America and the former extent of ancient forests. Do this for each of the other regions on the map (i.e., Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia). Then, answer the questions below in a Word document. (All answers should be in complete

sentences.)

1

.

What is the major natural factor that is causing deforestation in western North America? What may be causing it?

2

.

What two temperate areas of the world are seeing forest regrowth? Why is this regrowth occurring?

3

.

Which country in the world has the greatest percentage of forestation? What type of forest is this, and what are some

threats to its existence?

4

.

Which world region has the least amount of forestation? What natural factor is causing a further decline in forest

cover?

5

.

Where is Europe’s forest loss the greatest? What natural factor is causing this decline?

6

.

What region of South America is experiencing a great amount of deforestation? What is the estimated rate of forest

loss in South America?

7

.

The Congo region in Africa still has significant forest cover. Why is this so? What factor is now causing forests to

decline?

Part 2

Next, go to link below to access another interactive map.

University of Maryland. (n.d.). Global forest change. Retrieved from

http://earthenginepartners.appspot.com/science-2013-

global-forest

Again, you will see a world map. On the right side of the webpage, locate the dropdown menu under “Data Products.” Select “Forest Cover Loss 2000-2014” (forest loss will be shown in red). Then, answer the following question in the same Word document that was used to answer the questions in Part 1 of this assignment. (Your answer should be in a complete sentence.)

What areas of the world show major losses of forest cover? How different does the forest loss appear in the more recent map (2000-2014) in Part 2 compared to the older map (2000-2005) in Part 1? Is deforestation increasing or decreasing in the world?

Next, go to the “Other Data Layers” dropdown box just below the “Data Products” box. Select “Intact Forest Landscapes” from the dropdown box. Then, answer the question below. (Your answer should be in a complete sentence.)

What pattern do you see in the geographic location of intact forests across the world? Where are most of these forests found? Why do you think certain areas of the world still have expanses of intact forests while others do not?

Next, click on “Tropical Hinterland Forests” from the “Other Data Layers” dropdown box. Tropical hinterland forests arethose that are less disturbed from deforestation and agriculture. Then, answer the question below.

From highest to lowest, list the regions of the world that support tropical hinterland forest (there is a world map on either side of the forest map that you can use for reference). What factors do you think might explain this pattern?

Submit Parts 1 and 2 of this assignment in a single Word document for grading. There is no minimum length requirement for this assignment, but answers need to be accurate, detailed, complete sentences, and consist of proper grammar.