Increased demand for food around the world has increased the rate at which our forests are being cut down and replaced with farms. This is being done both legally and illegally.
This photo shows the results of deforestation in Malaysia. The trees have been cleared to make way for a palm oil plantation. This plantation is an example of an agribusiness.
Case Study: Deforestation in Malaysia
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia. It is made up of two separate areas of land known as Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Over two-thirds of land in Malaysia was covered in rainforest. Over the last 30 years, Malaysia has had one of the highest rates of deforestation seen in the world. Now, just over 50% of the land is rainforest.
Causes of Deforestation THAILAND VIETNAM South China Sea
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur BRUNEI EAST MALAYSIA SINGAPORE INDONESIA INDONESIA 7. The location of Malaysia
Agribusiness: Malaysia is one of the largest exporters of palm oil in the world. Plantation owners receive tax incentives, which has led to large amounts of land being converted to palm oil plantations.
Population pressure: The government encouraged the poor to move to the countryside to ease overcrowding in the cities. Many of these settlers then set up plantations, removing forested areas.
Subsistence farming: This type of farming involves producing just enough food to support yourself and your family. Tribal people are usually small-scale, sustainable farmers. They use the ‘slash and burn’ method, which involves setting fires to clear the land for crops. The fires can get out of control, destroying large areas of land.