Lesson video

Hello and welcome.

My name is Ms. Harrison.

I'm so excited to be learning with you today.

Today's lesson is called Sustainable Rainforest Management.

Grab everything that you might need for today's lesson and let's begin our learning.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain how local and global actions can help manage rainforests in a sustainable way.

Before we can begin this learning, we need to define the keywords that we'll be using throughout today's lesson.

Keywords in today's lesson are sustainable, biodiversity and conversion.

Sustainable.

This is using resources in a way that means future generations will still be able to use them in the same way.

Biodiversity.

This is a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem.

Conservation.

This is the protection and management of natural resources to prevent damage and maintain biodiversity.

Fantastic.

Now that we've defined these keywords, we can begin our learning.

The first question we're going to explore in today's lesson is what is sustainable management? Tropical rainforests are under serious threat right now.

In fact, every year, around 10 million hectares of rainforest are lost due to human activity.

That's a huge amount of land, and it's happening at a really rapid pace.

So why do we care about rainforests? Well, these ecosystems are absolutely vital.

They support an incredible range of biodiversity, meaning their home to a huge variety of plants and animals.

Without them, many species would be at risk of extinction, but it doesn't stop there.

Rainforest also help to regulate our global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, which helps to slow down climate change, and importantly, they provide resources for millions of people, including food, medicine, and materials for shelter and everyday life.

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of people today in a way that still allows people in the future to have their needs met too.

If rainforests are used in a sustainable way, that means rainforests need to be managed.

Sustainable rainforest management occurs at all scales.

Let's take a closer look.

At a local scale, its efforts made by communities or governments in a specific area to protect and manage rainforests, such as sustainable farming practises or creating protected areas.

And global action, international efforts to address deforestation and promote rainforest conservation, such as global agreements, trade regulations, and funding for rainforest protection.

Let's test our knowledge.

What scale of action is described here? International financial incentives paid to governments to protect rainforests.

Is it A, global action, B, local action, C, both local and global action? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is A, global action.

Well done if you managed get that correct.

How much of the rainforest has lost each year? Is it A, 5 million hectares, B, 10 million hectares, or C, 13 million hectares? Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is B, 10 million hectares is lost each year in the rainforest.

Well done if you managed to identify that correctly.

Izzy has attempted to define sustainability but has made some mistakes.

I would like you to rewrite her definition.

Izzy's definition is, "Sustainable management ensures that rainforest are used in a way that meets current human needs without leaving anyone out." Pause the video here whilst you correct her statement, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Well done on this task.

Let's check our answers.

Your answer may include some of the following points.

Sustainable management of rainforests is when we use rainforest resources in a way that meets today's needs without harming the environment, ensuring that these same resources are available for future generations to use.

Well done if you managed to answer this question correctly.

We're now gonna explore our second question of today's lesson, what are local actions? I would like you to pause the video here whilst you have a think of what local actions will help to sustainably manage rainforests.

Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Well done.

Some of the ways that locals can sustainably manage rainforests are: selective logging, replanting, agroforestry, community-based forest management and ecotourism.

Let's take a closer look at these.

Selective logging is often presented as a more sustainable alternative to clear cutting.

Selective logging involves cutting down only mature trees of certain species, leaving the rest of the forest relatively untouched.

It's a way to harvest timber without destroying the entire ecosystem, but like all methods, there are both positives and negatives that need to be considered.

The positives.

Selective logging can provide a source of income for local communities, which is important for their economic wellbeing.

People can use the timber to build homes, create products, and sell wood in markets.

It also helps keep ecosystems intact by leaving younger trees and the surrounding environment there.

This reduces overall damage compared to clear cutting large areas.

Despite its benefits, it can still lead to forest fragmentation, which means breaking up large continuous areas of forest into smaller, isolated patches.

This can harm wildlife that relies on bigger areas to thrive.

And although it seems like a sustainable choice, selective logging can be expensive to implement in a way that truly protects the forest long term, which requires careful management and monitoring.

Now we're going to talk about replanting.

This is the process of planting new trees in areas where forests have been cut down or damaged.

Replanting is often seen as the way to restore ecosystems and reduce environmental harm.

Let's take a look at some of the positives and negatives.

The positives.

Replanting helps prevent soil erosion and flooding.

When trees are removed and the soil is exposed, they can be easily washed away by rain, leading to erosion.

New trees, however, help anchor the soil and protect the land from these issues.

It also plays a role in fighting climate change by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere.

As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide, which helps them to reduce greenhouse gases and slow down global warming.

However, there are challenges with replanting.

New trees take years to provide the same benefits as mature forests.

While young trees are growing, they aren't able to offer the same level of ecosystem services that mature forests provide, like housing a variety of species or offering a stable climate.

Another problem is that planting only one type of tree, a monoculture plantation, can make the forest vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Without biodiversity, a single disease or pest would wipe out the entire plantation, which would be devastating for the local environment.

Replanting is important, but it's not a perfect solution.

It's essential to consider how we do it and what kinds of trees we plant to ensure it's truly effective in the long term.

Now, let's explore agroforestry.

This is the practise of growing crops alongside trees.

This approach helps maintain forest cover while still allowing people to produce food or other goods.

There are some clear benefits, but also some challenges to consider.

Agroforestry reduces soil erosion because the tree roots help hold the soil together, preventing it from being washed away during the heavy rain.

This also improves soil fertility, as the trees can provide nutrients to the soil.

One of the great advantages of agroforestry is that it prevents clear felling of forests.

Instead of cutting down entire forests for farming, trees are kept in a place and integrated with crops, promoting a more sustainable land use practise.

However, agroforestry requires knowledge and skills.

Farmers need to understand how to manage both crops and trees in a way that maximises benefits without harming the land or the plants.

This takes training and experience.

It's also hard work.

Maintaining a system where both trees and crops grow together is more labour intensive than traditional monoculture farming.

It takes careful planning, planting, and ongoing care.

Agroforestry offers a promising solution to balance food production with environmental protection, but it's not without its challenges.

What are some ways you can think of that farmers could be supported to implement agroforestry successfully? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Farmers could be supported in implementing agroforestry by providing training, financial support, and access to resources like seedings and tools.

Additionally, research into sustainable tree and crop combinations, along with community networks for sharing knowledge can help ensure success and sustainability of agroforestry practises.

In Indonesia, farmers use agroforestry to grow crops like cacao and coffee alongside native trees.

This helps reduce deforestation and improve soil quality.

True or false, agroforestry involves planting profitable crops like wheat on land that used to be forest? Pause the video here whilst you decide if this statement is true or false, and press play to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why this statement is false.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic work.

The reason why the statement is false is because agroforestry is a local action that combines trees and crops on the same land to enhance biodiversity, improve soil quality, and provide sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

Let's now look at community-based forest management, which encourages local communities to take responsibility for managing and protecting their forests.

This approach focuses on sustainable use of resources and often involves education and collaboration.

Let's break down the positives and negatives.

One of the main benefits is that it empowers locals to protect forests.

When people feel responsible for their environment, they're more likely to take care of it and ensure its survival.

It also supports traditional knowledge and sustainable practises.

Local communities often have deep understanding of their forests and can use their knowledge to manage resources in a way that benefits both the environment and their livelihoods.

However, community-based management requires training and resources.

Communities need support in the form of education and tools to properly manage the forest and make informed decisions.

It can also be hard to enforce without government support.

While communities can manage forests well without being backed of national or local governments, it can also be challenging to stop illegal activities, like logging or poaching.

Overall, community-based forest management is a promising strategy, but needs the right support system in place to be truly effective.

What do you think are the key factors that would make this kind of management successful? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Key factors for successful community-based forest management include providing adequate training, resources and education to local communities, as well as strong government support to enforce rules and prevent illegal activities.

Collaboration between communities and authorities ensures long-term sustainability and effective protection of forests.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, indigenous communities protect rainforests through sustainable practises, like controlled hunting and agriculture.

This helps to preserve the environment and their cultural traditions.

Next, let's explore ecotourism, which is tourism that aims to support rainforest conservation, while educating people about the environment.

While it offers many benefits, there are also some challenges to consider.

One of the key benefits is that ecotourism brings income to local communities.

Tourism can provide financial support to people living near rainforests, helping them to sustain their livelihoods while protecting the environment.

It also raises awareness about conservation by educating tourists on its importance of preserving rainforests, which can lead to more people advocating for environmental protection.

However, ecotourism can harm the environment if not managed properly.

If too many tourists visit the same area, or if the development is not carefully planned, it can damage the very ecosystem it's meant to protect.

Additionally, while ecotourism can create income, it may not create as many jobs as industries like logging or farming, which can be a challenge for local communities relying on more traditional industries.

So while ecotourism can be a great way to support conservation, it's important to carefully manage it to avoid negative impacts.

In Costa Rica, tourists visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest to see wildlife and support conservation.

This has created jobs in ecotourism, boost local businesses, and helped to conserve the rainforest.

Here are some examples.

There's an eco lodge for tourists visiting the Cloud Forest, and they also offer guided tours of the forest.

This helps to provide jobs and boost the local economy.

Let's test our knowledge.

Identify the benefits of ecotourism as a sustainable management method for tropical rainforests.

Is it, A, it generates income for local communities while protecting the environment, B, it encourages the conversion of unproductive rainforest into land that makes money for people, C, it raises awareness about conservation and helps protect biodiversity, or D, it reduces the need for forest protection laws and regulations? Pause the video here whilst you identify which ones are correct, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is A and C, ecotourism generates income for local communities while protecting the environment, and it also raises awareness about conservation and helps protect biodiversity.

Well done if you managed to identify those correctly.

I would now like you to identify two positive impacts of community-based forest management.

A, does it empower locals to protect forests? B, requires training and resources, C, encourages endangered species to be exploited, or D, supports traditional sustainable practises.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answers are A and D.

Community-based forest management, A, empowers locals to protect forests, and D, supports traditional, sustainable practises.

Excellent work on this task.

I would now like you to complete the table below on local actions taken to sustainably manage tropical rainforests.

We're going to focus on ecotourism, community based management and agroforestry.

I'd like you to provide a description of these local actions and then provide an example of them.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Let's check our answers.

You may have said some of the following points.

So for eco-tourism, our description is: tourism that promotes conservation by allowing people to visit forests without damaging them.

Our example is Costa Rica, which uses eco-tourism to protect rainforests and support local communities.

Community-based management.

Our description: local communities are involved in managing and protecting their forests sustainably.

Our example, indigenous groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo work together to protect their forests and wildlife.

Agroforestry, this is the growing crops alongside trees to protect forests and improve soil fertility.

Our example, Indonesia uses agroforestry to grow cacao and coffee alongside trees, reducing deforestation.

Well done on this task.

I hope you managed to get some of the following points in your answer.

We're now going to explore our final question of today's lesson, what are global actions? I would like you to pause the video here whilst you have a think what global actions help to sustainably manage rainforests.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Let's take a look.

We have things like REDD, CITES, Paris Agreements, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, certifying forests and forest products, debt-for-nature swaps, and global forest monitoring initiatives.

Before we can explore this learning, I would like you to add in missing global actions to sustainably manage rainforests on this diagram.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The missing labels are global forest monitoring initiatives, Paris Agreement, and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Well done on this task.

Let's take a look at REDD.

REDD stands for Reducing Emissions and Deforestation and Forest Degradation.

This is a global initiative designed to provide financial rewards to countries that reduce deforestation.

While it has several benefits, there are some potential challenges to consider.

This initiative provides financial incentives for forest protection, encouraging countries to conserve their forests by offering rewards for reducing deforestation rates.

It also helps fight climate change by reducing emissions, as deforestation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

By protecting forests, we can prevent carbon from being released into the atmosphere.

However, this initiative can lead to land conflicts if not managed well.

If local communities do not have clear rights over their land, they may face challenges when new projects are introduced, potentially leading to disputes.

Additionally, it is effective in reducing emissions, but it doesn't address the root cause of deforestation, such as poverty, land use pressures and agricultural demand.

So whilst this initiative is important tool in fighting against climate change, its improvement to ensure that it's implemented in a way that considers both environmental and social factors.

Guyana is part of the REDD initiative.

Guyana has been rewarded financially for protecting its rainforests.

The government is committed to preserving its forests in exchange for international funding.

Now let's look at CITES.

This is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is an international agreement aimed at regulating the trade of endangered species.

While it helps to protect species, there are both strengths and challenges to consider.

One major benefit of CITES is that it protects endangered species in rainforests by restricting international trade in animals and plants that are at risk of extinction.

It also encourages international cooperation for conservation, as countries work together to prevent illegal wildlife trade and ensure that species are protected globally.

However, enforcement can be difficult, especially in remote areas.

Despite regulations, illegal trade can still occur in areas where monitoring is limited or difficult.

Additionally, some countries may not fully comply with CITES's regulations, which can undermine its effectiveness if all nations do not work together to implement it.

So while CITES plays a vital role in protecting endangered species, it's important to ensure proper enforcement and global cooperation.

Brazil has signed up to CITES.

Its government has worked to regulate the trade of endangered species, like the Spix's macaw and jaguar to prevent illegal poaching and protect biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest.

Now let's look at the Paris Agreement.

This is an international climate agreement that aims to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It encourages countries to take action, but there are also some challenges to how it works.

One of the major benefits of the Paris Agreement is that it encourages global action to fight climate change.

By bringing countries together, it creates a unified effort to reduce emissions and limit global temperature rise.

It also supports forest conservation as part of the climate goals, recognising the importance of forest in capturing carbon and maintaining a balanced climate.

However, because the agreement is based on voluntary commitment, some countries may not take full action, or may fall short of their targets, making progress slower.

Additionally, while it focused on reducing emissions, it focuses more on emissions than the direct forest protection, meaning that while forests are part of the solution, more directed protection measures may be needed.

So while the Paris Agreement is an important step in addressing climate change, it's essential to make sure all countries are committed, and that both emissions and forest protection are prioritised.

True or false, CITES is a global agreement that allows the unrestricted trade of endangered species to boost economic growth? Pause the video here whilst you decide whether this statement is true or false, and press play to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why this statement is false.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The reason why the statement is false is because CITES is a global agreement that restricts the trade of endangered species to protect them from exploitation and ensure their survival in the wild.

Excellent work.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

Now, let's look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are areas of global importance that receive protection and conservation.

Some rainforests are designated as World Heritage Sites, offering both benefits and challenges.

One of the main benefits is that being a World Heritage Site provides international protection and recognition, raising awareness of the area's importance and the need to preserve it.

It also attracts funding and research opportunities, as global recognition can lead to financial support in conservation and scientific studies.

However, its designation can sometimes cause conflicts over land use with the local communities.

Communities living in or around the area might face restrictions in their activities, leading to disputes over land rights.

Additionally, protection may be weak if not properly funded, which can leave forests vulnerable to illegal activities like logging or poaching, even if they are recognised as Wild Heritage Sites.

So while the Wild Heritage Sites designation can be a powerful tool for conservation, it's important to ensure proper funding and community involvement to make sure it's truly effective.

Parts of the Amazon rainforest are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, protecting biodiversity from large scale development.

There are a number of different sites that have been designated as World Heritage Sites, which shows the level of commitment they have to protecting the Amazon rainforest.

Certifying forest and forest products as sustainably managed through standards like Forest Stewardship.

There are positives and negatives.

The positives are that it encourages sustainable forest management.

It also reduces illegal logging, because they have to go through a certification process.

However, the certification can be costly for small producers, and therefore they may not opt into it.

And also, it's not always effective with strong enforcement, and that means that many trees may go through without being certified as being not illegally logged.

The FSC has certified sustainable timber companies in Papua New Guinea.

This certifies that these companies are minimising harm to the environment and biodiversity, and benefiting local communities.

Now let's take a closer look at debt-for-nature swaps.

This is when countries exchange part of a debt they owe to an international organisation for commitments to protect forests and other natural resources.

There are both positives and negatives to this.

The positives are that it helps to reduce the debt burden on developing countries, which helps them to develop faster.

It also provides financial incentives for rainforest protection, which can then be used by governments on ways they can improve their own country.

However, not all countries are eligible or can use the programme effectively, and requires a strong government commitment to enforce protection, and this can sometimes be challenging in some countries where the government might not be stable.

The Bolivian and Brazilian governments have engaged in debt-for-nature swaps.

Parts of their debt is forgiven by international organisations in exchange for commitments to preserve the Amazon rainforest.

Now let's discuss global forest monitoring initiatives, like Global Forest Watch, which uses satellite technology to track rainforest loss.

These tools are powerful, but there are both advantages and disadvantages to their use.

One major advantage is that they provide real-time data on deforestation and illegal logging, making it easier to monitor forests and quickly identify areas at risk.

They also increase transparency and accountability, as satellite data is accessible to government organisations and the public, ensuring more openness in forest management.

However, monitoring can be costly and requires advanced technology, which might limit access for some countries or organisations.

Additionally, satellite imagery can be obstructed by persistent cover, which could lead to inaccuracies when detecting deforestation in areas with frequent weather issues.

While these technologies are powerful tools for forest conservation, it's important to consider the costs and the limitations.

True or false, a debt-for-nature swap involves a country paying off its debt by using funds to increase deforestation? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is false.

I would now like you to explain why the statement is false.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why the statement is false is because a debt-for-nature swap involves a country reducing its debt by investing in conservation projects, such as protecting rainforests to promote environmental sustainability.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

How does global forest monitoring help in protecting tropical rainforests? Is it, A, it provides accurate data to identify areas most at risk of deforestation, B, it encourages the use of forests for large scale agriculture, C, it helps enforce regulations and prevent illegal logging, or D, it allows governments to ignore international environmental agreements? Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The answer is A and C.

Global forest monitoring helps in protecting tropical rainforests by providing accurate data to identify areas most at risk of deforestation, and helps enforce regulations and prevent illegal logging.

Well done if you managed to identify those correctly.

True or false, only large global organisations like the United Nations or Greenpeace are able to protect rainforests? Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why this statement is false.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The reason why the statement is false is because both global and local actions are vital for rainforest sustainability.

While global efforts fund and advocate, local communities protect forests through replanting, sustainable farming and ecotourism.

Excellent work on this task.

I hope you managed to explain that correctly.

I would now like you to imagine you're an environmental advisor to an international organisation that is tasked with creating a plan to protect the world's tropical rainforests.

I would like you to write a letter explaining the importance of global actions to help combat deforestation.

Aim to write about at least two different types of global action.

You could also consider challenges as well as benefits.

Alex has cleverly noted that global actions are international agreements to address deforestation and promote rainforest conservation.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic work on this task.

Let's check our answers.

Your answer may have included some of the following: "Dear head of international organisation, I'm writing to advise you on the importance of supporting global actions to protect tropical rainforests.

REDD provides financial incentives for countries to protect their forests, reducing carbon emissions, and helping slow down climate change.

In countries like Guyana, REDD has been successful in protecting large areas of rainforest, benefiting both the environment and local people.

By supporting REDD, you can help fund conservation efforts globally, which could prevent deforestation and protect natural resources.

CITES aims to regulate the trade of endangered species and their products.

This helps prevent illegal poaching, which reduce rainforest biodiversity.

By enforcing CITES, we can protect wildlife, including species like the orangutan in Indonesia and the jaguar in the Amazon.

Supporting CITES would ensure that illegal wildlife trade does not contribute to further rainforest biodiversity loss.

Global actions like these benefit the environment by protecting biodiversity, stabilising the climate, and reducing emissions.

They also help local communities by providing financial support, creating sustainable livelihoods, such as ecotourism.

For example, in Costa Rica, ecotourism has created jobs while preserving forests.

However, challenges remain.

One of the main obstacles is the lack of enforcement in some regions, leading to illegal logging and land grabbing.

To overcome this, it is crucial to strengthen local laws and increase international cooperation.

We also need to raise awareness and ensure local communities benefit directly from conservation efforts, so they feel motivated to participate.

In conclusion, supporting local global actions like REDD and CITES is essential for rainforest protection.

These actions will help preserve biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and support local economies.

It's important that we act now with global cooperation to safeguard rainforest for future generations." Well done if you managed to include any of the following points.

You've done brilliantly on this task.

We've now come to the end of our learning in sustainable rainforest management.

You've done absolutely brilliantly in today's lesson.

But before we finish, let's summarise everything that we've learnt in today's lesson.

If rainforests are used in a sustainable way, that means rainforests need to be managed.

Local actions include ecotourism, community involvement in forest protection and agroforestry, which helps promote forest conservation while supporting local economies.

Global actions like REDD and CITES work to reduce deforestation and protect biodiversity on a larger scale.

Both types of action are crucial for preserving rainforests.

Well done in today's lesson.

You've done brilliantly, and I look forward to learning with you again very soon.