Hwa Chong Institution

Integrated Humanities – Sec 2 Geography GEP

Conflicts
Term 3, Ex 1: Climate & Natural Vegetation

Name: Du Han Yuan (04 ) Date: 29/6/09

Class: 2O4

Complete the questions on foolscap papers.

1. Fig. 1 below shows the distribution of Tropical Rainforests in the world.

Fig .1

(a) Describe the distribution of the world’s tropical rainforests. [2]

The tropical rainforests are found in coastal regions and in developing countries.

(b) Account for the distribution of tropical rainforests in (a). [2]

In developing countries, large parts of it are not developed and environmental conditions
are ideal, thus tropical rainforests can be found in developing countries. Tropical rainforests have
rivers, and these rivers will lead to the sea, thus tropical regions can be found in coastal regions.

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2. Fig. 2 below shows the major catchment areas in Singapore

D B

Fig .2

(a) Identify the major catchment areas A – D in Fig. 2. [2]

Catchment area A is Macritchie Reservoir, catchment B is Lower Peirce Reservoir, catchment C

Upper Seletar Reservoir and catchment D is Upper Peirce Reservoir.

(b) Explain the roles of tropical rainforests in these catchment areas. [3]

Tropical rainforests provide humidity which will make it rain more often and more water will be
stored in the catchment areas.

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 3. This question requires you to read GeoActive Online 232: People and the Tropical
Rainforest Ecosystem.

(a) Many different groups of people are interested in the rainforest. Using the conflict matrix
in Fig .3, fill in the boxes using the appropriate symbols.

Fig. 3
(Source: GeoActive Online 232)

(b) Choose two groups that live in harmony. Explain your answers.

Conservationists and wildlife. Conservationists strife to protect the rainforest and the wildlife in it.
They will protect the wildlife and will therefore live in harmony with the wildlife.

(c) Choose two groups that you have shown to be in conflict. Explain the reasons for this
conflict.

Loggers and wildlife. Loggers cut down trees for timber. By destroying trees, animals living in the
tree will lose their homes.

(d) How would you suggest that the conflicts you identified in (c) could be reduced?

Logging should be scaled down and they should make sure that the animals have a home to live
after cutting the trees.