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Protecting the tropical rainforest
I can describe how tropical rainforests can be protected using the example of Costa Rica.
Lesson 4 of 12
New
New
- Year 7
Protecting the tropical rainforest
I can describe how tropical rainforests can be protected using the example of Costa Rica.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Costa Rica is a small country in central America which once experienced the highest rate of deforestation in the world.
- Costa Rica was the first tropical country in the world to reverse deforestation.
- Wildlife corridors enable species such as the jaguar to move through the rainforest undetected.
- National parks, selective logging, small-scale agroforestry and ecotourism have protected the rainforest.
Keywords
Biodiversity - all the living things in an ecosystem or area
Deforestation - the complete removal of trees
Habitat - the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism
Land use - the function or purpose of a particular area
Common misconception
Stopping deforestation just means preventing the felling of trees.
There are many approaches to preventing and even reversing deforestation not just one, for example national parks, selective logging, small-scale agroforestry and ecotourism.
There is the potential to use GIS to compare forested area over time.
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.Select the best definition for biodiversity.
Select the best definition for biodiversity.
all the non-living things in an ecosystem or area
some of the living things in an ecosystem or area
all the living animals in an ecosystem or area
Q2.Name the keyword defined here: "the complete removal of trees from an area".
Name the keyword defined here: "the complete removal of trees from an area".
Q3.What is the word for the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism?
What is the word for the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism?
Q4.Select the best definition of land use.
Select the best definition of land use.
whether the area is rural or urban
whether the area is used for farming or houses, nothing else
when the land is used for building by humans
Q5.Where are tropical rainforests located?
Where are tropical rainforests located?
in the temperate climate zone
on and around the Arctic circle
Q6.Which statements best describe tropical rainforests?
Which statements best describe tropical rainforests?
Tropical rainforests are cold and wet.
Tropical rainforests are home to many plants but few animals.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Name the first country in the world to reverse deforestation.
Name the first country in the world to reverse deforestation.
Q2.What is the correct description of wildlife corridors?
What is the correct description of wildlife corridors?
Wildlife corridors enable people to move through the rainforest undetected.
Wildlife corridors are strips of land where trees are removed.
Wildlife corridors are strips of land with only one species of tree.
Q3.Which of the following describe selective logging?
Which of the following describe selective logging?
The least valuable trees are felled.
In one small area, all trees are felled.
Q4.Which of the following are activities linked to ecotourism?
Which of the following are activities linked to ecotourism?
Hotels want to keep guests happy by washing the towels every day.
