Scribd
Upload
15 views

Reading Logging

Uploaded by

qk89dhsqwy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views

Reading Logging

Uploaded by

qk89dhsqwy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE IELTS

Reading

Environmental Impacts of Logging

A
From shipping crates to paper bags, the logging industry supplies the
raw materials for an array of products. However, this is not without
untold harm to the environment. The damage includes habitat loss, pol­
lution, and climate change, with the effects spanning the globe from the
rain forests of Central Afrtca, Southeast Asia, and South America to the
northern forests of Canada and Scandinavia. The effects of logging
extend beyond just the felling of a swath of trees. Nutrients, water. and
shelter for plants, animals, and microorganisms throughout the ecosys­
tem are also lost; many life forms-both terrestrial and aquatic-are
becoming endangered as forests·vanish.

B
Trees protect the soil beneath them; thus, tree loss can affect soil
integrity. For example, the rain forest floor, home to myriad plant life as
well as insects, worms, reptiles and amphibians, and small mammals,
A
relies on a dense canopy of branches and leaves to keep it healthy and
intact. The canopy prevents surface runoff by intercepting heavy rainfall
so that water can drip down slowly onto the porous earth. Tree roots
also stabilize the soil and help prevent erosion. In return, a healthy soU
encourages root development and microbial activity, which contribute to
tree growth and well-being. A major factor 1n l oggi ng-related soU dam­
age comes from road building, with trucks and other heavy equipment
compressing the spongy soU, creating furrows where water collects, and
disrupting the underground water flow. Eventually, the topsoil wears
away, leaving behind an infertile layer of rocks and hard clay.

c
Logging can also damage aquatic habitats. Vegetation along rivers and
stream banks helps maintain a steady water flow by blocking the entry of
soU and other residue, and tree shade inhibits the growth of algae. Remov­
ing trees obliterates these benefits. When eroding soU flows into water­
ways, the organic matter within it consumes more oxygen, which can lead
to oxygen depletion in the water, k1111ng fish and other aquatic wildlife.

D
Trees provide a natural defense against air pollution. They remove car­
bon dioxide from the atmosphere while they emit oxygen, and their
leaves filter pollutants from the air. Cutting down trees keeps pollutants

10
UNIT 1 ; THE NATURAL WORLD

airborne, where they can mJx with water vapor1 and fonn acid rain.
Water quality 1n nearby streams and rivers also detertorates as tree loss
contrtbutes to increased sedimentation.

E
In a healthy forest ecosystem, trees draw moisture from the so11 and
release it into the atmosphere wh1le they provide shade to lessen evap­
oration. Thus, deforestation impacts rainfall patterns, leading to flood­
ing as well as drought and forest fires. Deforestation is responsible for
about one-fifth of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, making 1t a
major contributor to cllmate change-in particular, global warming. In
the Amazon basin alone, deforestation is responsible for m1111ons of tons
of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere annually. Some
logging companies bum large tracts of forest just to facilitate access to
one area-a practtce2 that discharges even more carbon dioxide.

F
Forests, espec1ally the tropical rain forests, are a vital natural resource
with extensive biodiversity and irreplaceable wtldltfe habitats. More
responsible logging practices would help ensure that they are protected
for future generations.

Answer the questtons about EDvll'oDID.eDtallmpacte of LoglDg.

Questions 1-4

The reading passage contains six paragraphs, A-F.


Which pru·agraphs discuss thefollowing tnjormatlon?
"'ntethe co"ectwtter. A-�

A 1 . The tmpact of logging on the weather

__
B 2. How trees inhibit soU erosion

__
D 3. How deforestation contributes to air pollution

__
C 4. The impact of erosion on fish

1BrE: vapour
2 BrE: practice n., practise v.

11
ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE IELTS

Questions 5-8

I Complete the SUTTt1Till1'Y using words from the list below.

arrays trees to get the wood that is used to make


The logging industry 5 ..........

many products. This practice has 6.myraid


. . .. . effects on the environment.
. . . .

The natural 7habitats


. .... of many terrestrial and aquatic animals are dam-
. . . ..

aged. Trees protect the environment in many ways. They are an effective

8 defense
. . . against both air pollution and sotl erosion.
. . . . . . .

aquatic defense habitats myriad


arrays fells intercepts vegetation

My Words

Write the words that are new to you. Look them up in the dictionary
and write their dejlnitions.

Words Definitions

12

You might also like