C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Rainforests·conceptual

Deforestation Causes & Scale

Understand the causes and scale of rainforest deforestation — cattle ranching (largest driver in the Amazon), soy and palm oil plantations, logging for timber, and mining — and know that approximately 10 million hectares of forest are lost globally each year, with devastating consequences for biodiversity, climate, and indigenous communities

Suggested ages 9–11

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Evidence of understanding

  • Name at least three major causes of deforestation: cattle ranching, palm oil, soy, logging, and mining
  • State that approximately 10 million hectares of forest are lost globally each year
  • Explain the impact of deforestation on at least two of: biodiversity, climate, and indigenous peoples

Assessment prompt

Can Deforestation Causes & Scale explain why rainforests are being cut down — naming causes like cattle farming, palm oil, and logging — and say roughly how fast it's happening?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.