Rainforest Futures & Trade-Offs · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Whose Forest Is It?

Science · Rainforests · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A person who has lived in the rainforest for generations and depends on it for their home and culture has what kind of interest?

    • Biodiversity interest
    • Indigenous rights
    • Climate interest

  2. Which of these is NOT one of the four competing interests around rainforests?

    • The total number of trees in the forest
    • Indigenous peoples' rights to their land
    • Money earned from farming the cleared land

  3. There is one simple fix that solves the rainforest trade-off problem for everyone.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Which action shows a business contributing to a better outcome for rainforests?

    • Choosing to buy only sustainably grown coffee and cocoa
    • Cutting trees quickly, then planting a handful of saplings to replace them
    • Ignoring indigenous land claims because it saves time and money

  5. A company wants to build a palm oil farm on land that overlaps with an indigenous community's territory and a habitat for endangered orangutans. Which interests are in conflict here?

    • Only economic development
    • Only climate stability
    • Economic development, indigenous rights, and biodiversity

  6. Governments, businesses, scientists, indigenous leaders, and shoppers can each help protect rainforests.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. A town near a rainforest is planning its future. Farmers want more farmland, an indigenous community wants their forest protected, and scientists warn that cutting more trees could hurt the local climate. What is the most balanced next step?

    • Let only the farmers decide, since they need income the soonest
    • Wait and hope one of the groups eventually gives up its needs
    • Bring together representatives from each group to negotiate a shared plan

  8. Mateo says: 'The fairest solution is to let scientists decide everything about rainforest land, since they know the most about nature.' What is the flaw in his idea?

    • Scientists' opinions should never be listened to
    • It ignores the needs and rights of local farmers and indigenous communities
    • There is no flaw, letting scientists decide is always fair
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Whose Forest Is It? W1-mt_ZM7u9m-gS4-s1

  1. Indigenous rights · A person's deep, generational connection to the land and their culture is about indigenous rights, not just wildlife or climate.
  2. The total number of trees in the forest · The four competing interests are economic development, indigenous rights, biodiversity, and climate stability. A tree count is a fact, not a group's interest.
  3. False · Farmers, indigenous peoples, wildlife, and the climate all need the forest in different ways, so no single fix satisfies everyone.
  4. Choosing to buy only sustainably grown coffee and cocoa · Buying sustainably grown crops protects forest land while still supporting farmers and businesses, so it helps balance competing needs.
  5. Economic development, indigenous rights, and biodiversity · Palm oil profits are economic development, the community's territory is indigenous rights, and the orangutans represent biodiversity. All three clash here.
  6. True · Real solutions come from many groups working together, not from just one group acting alone.
  7. Bring together representatives from each group to negotiate a shared plan · Bringing every group to the table lets each need be heard, which is how real trade-offs get worked out.
  8. It ignores the needs and rights of local farmers and indigenous communities · Scientists understand nature well, but farmers and indigenous communities also have real needs and rights that must be part of any fair plan.
Worksheet · LightMySky