YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHY ASSESSMENT TROPICAL RAINFORESTS

‘

SHOULD THE BELO MONTE DAM BE BUILT IN PARA, BRAZIL?’

Rainforests5 Impacts (positive and negative) of the Belo

Monte Dam4 Groups interested in Belo Monte Dam3 countries where Rainforests are located.2 reasons why the Rainforest should be

protected. 1 line of latitude where most Rainforests are

found.

Why is this happening?

A recap of the issues:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-seAAIsJLQ

• What is going to happen? • What will be the impacts on the

environment?• What will be the impact on the people?

Task: to write a magazine article exploring the issue.

An Introduction to the place and issueWhere is the proposed site of the dam?What is the purpose of the dam?The dam is located within the Amazon Rainforest - how does the ecosystem operate naturally (without human

interventions) e.g. food chains (especially think about specific things that would be disrupted by the building of a dam)?

Why is the rainforest special and worthy of protection? The views of the people / organisations in favour of the dam being built.

Give a range of different people’s opinions in favour of the damWhy do they believe it is a good thing?

The views of the people / organisations against the dam being built

Give a range of different people’s opinions in opposition to the damWhy do they believe it is a bad thing?

Consequences of the dam for the environment

What might the benefits of the dam be on the environment? E.g. renewable powerWhat might the negative consequences for the natural environment be? E.g. fish / river system, tropical rainforest, flooding, water

supply, National Parks.Consider the sustainability of the scheme – in what ways could it be considered sustainable/unsustainable?Do these environmental effects lead to any other consequences?

Your own view and reasons why you believe this.

Explain whether or not you think the dam should be built. You must justify your view (explain why you think that way).If you disagree with the dam, what might a more sensible/sustainable solution be? If you agree with it, is there anything you would change in the current plans to make it more sustainable (meeting the needs of

people and the environment into the future)?

How do we annotate pictures?

Level descriptors