🌳 Protected areas (in situ): how they increase forest cover
Big idea: Protected areas reduce deforestation by restricting land conversion and allowing forests to regenerate.
How protected areas help recovery
- Stop or reduce logging and land clearing
- Prevent conversion to agriculture/cattle ranching
- Allow secondary succession to rebuild forest cover
- Protect habitats → biodiversity can recover too
For 2 marks: give ONE clear mechanism (e.g., limits land conversion) + ONE outcome (forest regrowth / higher cover).
⚖️ Laws & enforcement: deforestation bans and restrictions
Big idea: Forest cover can recover when clearing forests becomes illegal or strictly controlled, and rules are actually enforced.
What “effective enforcement” looks like
- Clear rules (where cutting is allowed vs banned)
- Monitoring (rangers, satellite checks, inspections)
- Penalties (fines, permits removed, prosecutions)
- Less illegal clearing → more natural regrowth over time
A law alone is not enough — enforcement determines effectiveness.