1. 13 Human Interaction with Biomes
The clearing and felling of forests in Ireland from ancient settlers to present day
The impact of deforestation on the tropical rainforest biome of Brazil
Intensive agricultural practices and the impact they have on the tropical rainforest biome of Brazil
Industrial development and the impact it has had on the Temperate Forest Biome of Europe

2. Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes
Early settlement and clearing of forests, Ireland: Temperate Forest Biome
Deciduous mixed woodland
5,000 years, Neolithic people/Celts, farming and settlement
West, overgrazing, Burren
Increased 16th-century English and Scottish planters, agri, roads, towns
1922: 1% natural forest
Animals of biome extinct, e.g. wolf
Open to soil erosion, loss of fertility
12% woodland in Ireland, lowest in rest of Europe is 31%

3. Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes
Felling tropical rainforest, Brazil: tropical rainforest biome
Yanomani tribe, ‘slash and burn’
Subsistence, sustainable exploitation
1970s deforestation increased demand for hardwoods, e.g. teak
b, today 1.5 b hectares
Unsustainable exploitation
1950s building of capital Brasilia, large-scale deforestation, 2.3 m people
Soil erosion, exposed, leaching, landslides and mudflows, sheet erosion, flooding
Carbon sink, global warming

4. Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes
Intensive agricultural practices, Brazil: tropical rainforest biome
Large cattle ranches, soya products
MNCs, soil exhaustion, overused, fertilisers, soil compaction
Soil erosion, denudation, nutrient cycle lost = laterite
Habitats destroyed, new species introduced, reduces biodiversity
25% all pharmaceutical drugs, e.g. Aspirin, new cures lost, e.g. AIDS and cancer
Native people wiped out from 6 m in 1500s to 250,000 today
Brazilian government encourages deforestation
By % rainforest destroyed

5. Chapter 13: Human Interaction with Biomes
Industrial development in Europe: Temperate Forest Biome
Primary cause: acid rain = industrial activity
20% EU forests above critical load
Reduces forest growth
Aluminium levels in soil
Nutrient leaching
Fish: aluminium poisoning