New
New
Deforestation in Indonesia’s tropical rainforest
I can describe the location, causes and impacts of deforestation in Indonesia.
Lesson 5 of 16
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Deforestation in Indonesia’s tropical rainforest
I can describe the location, causes and impacts of deforestation in Indonesia.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The majority of Indonesia’s rainforests are located in Borneo, Papua and Sumatra.
- Causes of deforestation in Indonesia include subsistence and commercial farming, logging, energy and population growth.
- Impacts of deforestation in Indonesia include erosion, pollution, habitat loss, carbon emissions, economic development.
Keywords
Biodiversity - a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem
Deforestation - large-scale removal or clearing of forests
Subsistence farmers - farmers that grow only enough food for themselves
Common misconception
Indonesia is a large island with a small population.
Indonesia is not one island: it is an archipelago, a group of over 17 000 islands. Nor does it have a small population: it’s population is over 270 million people.
The GIS lesson in this unit, 'Using GIS to visualise and analyse deforestation', gives pupils the opportunity to use GIS tools to engage with causes and impacts of deforestation.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main characteristic of a tropical rainforest?
What is the main characteristic of a tropical rainforest?
Cold temperatures year-round
Sparse vegetation
Located near the poles
Q2.Where are tropical rainforests typically located?
Where are tropical rainforests typically located?
Near the poles
In deserts
In mountainous regions
Q3.What is one of the main causes of deforestation in tropical rainforests?
What is one of the main causes of deforestation in tropical rainforests?
Overpopulation
Natural wildfires
Volcanoes
Q4.What is the main reason tropical rainforests have such high biodiversity?
What is the main reason tropical rainforests have such high biodiversity?
They are located in remote areas
They experience seasonal changes
Q5.What is the "canopy" in a tropical rainforest?
What is the "canopy" in a tropical rainforest?
The ground layer of the forest
The water layer in rivers and lakes
The underground root system
Q6.How does the tropical rainforest biome contribute to regulating the global climate?
How does the tropical rainforest biome contribute to regulating the global climate?
It reduces ocean currents
It causes global warming
It creates large-scale hurricanes
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes Indonesia?
Which of the following best describes Indonesia?
A large island with a small population
An archipelago with a small population
A small island with a large population
Q2.What is one of the main causes of deforestation in Indonesia?
What is one of the main causes of deforestation in Indonesia?
Overfishing
Tourism
Q3.What is an environmental impact of deforestation in Indonesia?
What is an environmental impact of deforestation in Indonesia?
Increased wildlife populations
Reduced air pollution
Increased soil fertility
Q4.What is subsistence farming?
What is subsistence farming?
Farming for commercial profit
Farming using advanced machinery
Farming on large plantations
