Photo AI
Analyse the data shown in Figure 11a and Figure 11b - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 6
Analyse the data shown in Figure 11a and Figure 11b. Figure 11a shows the cause of deforestation in equatorial west Africa, 2000–2014. Figure 11b shows national est... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Analyse the data shown in Figure 11a and Figure 11b - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Figure 11a: Causes of Deforestation
Answer
In Figure 11a, it is evident that the primary cause of deforestation appears to be the expansion of small-scale agriculture, specifically around the Congo Basin. The data indicates that this type of land use is widespread, contributing significantly to forest loss. The color coding in the figure highlights different causes, such as logging and mining activities, but agriculture stands out as a dominant reason.
Step 2
Figure 11b: National Estimates of Forest Loss
Answer
Figure 11b provides a broader perspective on national estimates of forest loss across different countries in equatorial west Africa. The pie charts reveal that countries like Gabon experience a significant portion of forest loss due to natural fires and logging activities, with logging contributing approximately 11% of total losses. In comparison, the Democratic Republic of the Congo shows a substantial area affected by agricultural expansion, indicating a clear cause-and-effect relationship between agricultural practices and deforestation.
Step 3
Comparison and Contextual Analysis
Answer
Analyzing Figures 11a and 11b together, we can draw connections between the causes of deforestation in specific areas and the national estimates of forest loss. For example, while small-scale agriculture is a major factor identified in Figure 11a, Figure 11b supports this by showing that countries with extensive agricultural activities, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, exhibit higher levels of forest loss. This correlation underscores the need for sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate future deforestation.