New
New
Deforestation in the tropical rainforest
I can explain the causes and changing rates of deforestation.
Lesson 4 of 16
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Deforestation in the tropical rainforest
I can explain the causes and changing rates of deforestation.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Tropical rainforests are threatened by deforestation.
- Rates of deforestation are changing.
- There are several causes of deforestation, such as commercial logging, agriculture and mineral resources.
Keywords
Deforestation - large-scale removal or clearing of forests
Biodiversity - a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem
Subsistence farmers - farmers that grow only enough food for themselves
Common misconception
Deforestation is primarily caused by small-scale farmers cutting down forests for subsistence farming.
Deforestation is driven by large-scale commercial activities, such as industrial agriculture (like palm oil and soy), logging, and cattle ranching, which are often linked to global demand.
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
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where are tropical rainforests located?
Where are tropical rainforests located?
north of the Tropic of Cancer
south of the Tropic of Capricorn
Q2.Why are ecosystems important?
Why are ecosystems important?
they are all the same
they exist only in rainforests
Q3.What is the climate like in a tropical rainforest?
What is the climate like in a tropical rainforest?
dry, with under 250 mm of rainfall per year
cold, with an average temperature of 10°C
Q4.Order the layers of the rainforest from the highest above ground to the lowest.
Order the layers of the rainforest from the highest above ground to the lowest.
Q5.What is deforestation?
What is deforestation?
large-scale planting of forest
working with the forest to meet human needs
Q6.Tropical rainforests are hotspots as they are home to over 50% of the world’s plant and animal species.
Tropical rainforests are hotspots as they are home to over 50% of the world’s plant and animal species.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Globally, tropical rainforests are threatened by .
Globally, tropical rainforests are threatened by .
Q2.Tropical rainforests are __________ hotspots as they are home to over 50% of the world’s plant and animal species.
Tropical rainforests are __________ hotspots as they are home to over 50% of the world’s plant and animal species.
urbanisation
globalisation
Q3.How is deforestation linked to climate change?
How is deforestation linked to climate change?
Q4.What kind of farming is used by subsistence farmers?
What kind of farming is used by subsistence farmers?
cattle ranching
organic
