Ecosystems & Biodiversity
Palm Oil
Decision Making
Human Impact
Data & Evidence
100
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is all the living and nonliving things in an area and how they interact.
100
Where does palm oil come from?
Fruit of oil palm trees.
100
If you were a farmer, why might palm oil feel like a good choice?
It makes more money and grows efficiently.
100
Why do people cut down rainforests?
Why do people cut down rainforests?
100
What happened to orangutan populations over time?
They decreased.
200
What is biodiversity?
The variety of different living things in an ecosystem.
200
Name a product with palm oil.
Snacks, soap, shampoo, candy, etc.
200
What is one benefit AND one harm of palm oil?
Benefit: jobs/money
Harm: deforestation/habitat loss
200
How do people use land to survive?
Farming, building, producing goods.
200
What happened to palm oil land over time?
It increased.
300
What is deforestation?
Deforestation is when forests are cleared. It affects animals by destroying their homes and affects people by changing the environment and resources they depend on.
300
Put in order: Process → Harvest → use
Harvest → Process → Use
300
Should palm oil be stopped or grown differently? Explain.
Grown differently (on safe land) to balance needs.
300
Why might people continue harmful environmental practices?
They need income, jobs, and resources.
300
How does palm oil production impact orangutans?
Deforestation destroys habitat → population declines.
400
Why can removing just one species affect an entire ecosystem?
Because species are connected in food webs, so removing one affects others and disrupts balance.
400
Why is palm oil so popular?
Cheap, efficient, produces a lot with less land.
400
If palm oil were banned, what problem might that create?
People could lose jobs and income.
400
How are our everyday choices connected to deforestation?
Buying products with palm oil increases demand, leading to more deforestation.
400
How do the orangutan and palm oil graphs together explain what is happening in the rainforest?
As palm oil increases, forests are cut down, causing orangutan populations to decrease.
500
Why is using already cleared land better than cutting rainforest?
It protects habitats, biodiversity, and prevents further environmental damage
500
What conditions do all good palm oil locations have in common?
Warm temperatures, lots of rain, strong sunlight
500
What is the BEST solution to balance human needs and protecting the rainforest? Defend your answer.
Use sustainable palm oil practices like growing on already cleared land, limiting deforestation, and protecting habitats while still allowing people to earn income.
500
Should people change their everyday choices to reduce deforestation? Why or why not?
Yes, because buying fewer palm oil products can reduce demand and slow deforestation, though larger systemic changes are also needed.
500
What overall pattern do we see between palm oil production and orangutan populations?
As palm oil increases, orangutans decrease (inverse relationship)