Sustainable forestry

Year level: Upper secondary Learning outcome Students will gain an overview of natural and human factors that influence the sustainable use of forests. Examine a physical map of the Himalayan region and describe the topography of Nepal. Explain the reasons for this topography with reference to plate tectonic theory. Account for the changing distribution and vertical zonation of vegetation types in Nepal. Are there any spatial associations between vegetation patterns and topography? Identify how some components of the natural environment (climate, topography, altitude and slope etc) could pose problems for a rapidly growing population, 80% of whom depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Complete the following table: Environmental problems that could result from the exploitation of Nepal's forest, soil and water resources Biosphere - plants, animals and people   Lithosphere - rocks and soils   Atmosphere - the envelope of gases surrounding the earth   Hydrosphere - streams, lakes and rivers   Complete the following table using the Population Reference Bureau website at http://www.prb.org/ Quantitative indicators Nepal Australia Total population (millions)     Crude birth rates/1,000     Crude death rates/1,000     Rate of natural increase (%)     Infant mortality rates of those aged under one year/1,000     GNI PPP per capita     Population per square kilometre     Percentage rural     Change in forest area     Percentage literate (aged +15) males     Percentage literate (aged +15) females     Projected population for 2025     Projected population for 2050     Using these quantitative indicators, write a well-structured paragraph describing the major differences between Nepal and Australia. Consider the following data: Estimates of Nepal's population, 1991-2050 (millions) 1991 18 2000 24.7 2025 37.8 2050 50.8 Graph this data as a line or bar graph. Microsoft Excel may be used for this purpose. Calculate the percentage increase in population between 1991-2000; 2000-2025 and 2025-2050. What do you notice? Suggest reasons for the rapid rate of population growth in Nepal over this time. Draw two annotated sketch diagrams to describe the natural processes and human activities that have created spatial change in the landscape based on the photographs in the text. Make specific reference to the key geographic ideas of spatial interaction and movement. Remember to give your sketches an appropriate title and scale. Develop a flow chart to describe and help predict the likely effects of rapid population growth on forest resource use and management in Nepal. Explain why you think the Australian government's overseas aid program has become involved in the Nepal Australia Community Resource Management Project. Assessment task Evaluate the following statement with reference to the data presented in this study. 'Community-based projects such as the Nepal-Australia community forestry project have provided an effective response to forest resource use and management at the local level.'