...2-4-2014 | | Amazon Deforestation | | Deforestation is the loss or destruction of naturally occurring forests. It is primarily due to human activities such as cutting trees for fuel, slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing land for livestock grazing, oil extraction, and many others. Deforestation is considered to be one of the contributing factors to global climate change. It can occur around the world, even though it’s more common in tropical rainforests. Countries with significant deforestation currently or in the recent years include Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, and parts of Eastern Europe. Though deforestation has increased rapidly in the last fifty years, it has been known to be practiced through history. Deforestation is typically done to make more land available for housing and urbanization and cattle ranching. Most of the logging industry that contributes to deforestation is done illegally, as reports from the World Wildlife Fund state. Common methods include burning trees and clear cutting, which is the controversial practice of complete removal of a given area of forest. In Brazil, you will find the Amazon rainforest. It is 5.7 million square kilometers and the largest continuous rainforest in the entire world. Since 1970, one sixth of the Amazon has been cleared mainly for ethanol production and cattle. While techniques like slash-and-burn provide a short term boost in agricultural production, rainforest soil is typically very thin and does not support...
Words: 797 - Pages: 4
...Deforestation of Tropical Rainforests Gabriel Corbeil ENV/GEO 120 March 20, 2015 Introduction: Tropical rainforests represent an important percentage of the globes biodiversity. This ecosystem is estimated to house 50% of all plant, insect and animal life. Covering less than 7% of Earth’s surface, it nonetheless is attributed with producing 20% of our oxygen supply. This unique biome arcs like a green arrow along the equatorial line. Its primary locations are South America, Central Africa and South-East Asia. Each region is facing varying degrees of serious deforestation. The result being widespread loss of humid tropical forest “Between 1990 and 1997, 5.8 ± 1.4 million hectares of humid tropical forest were lost each year, with a further 2.3 ± 0.7 million hectares of forest visibly degraded.” (Achard et al. 2002) The heart of the problem lies beneath a tangled mess of socio-economic growth resulting in massive deforestation chiefly for the land. Commercial farmers using the land for cattle, soybeans, palm oil and monoculture tree farms take advantage of loose government regulations. The most common tactic for land for forest removal is “slash and burn” where existing vegetation is cut down and burned for fertilizer. This technique has major impacts on multiple cycles key to forest health. Most notably the hydrological cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle. If this trend continues there will be major changes in precipitation and air quality, both locally and globally...
Words: 2402 - Pages: 10
...The Amazon rainforest is a standout amongst the most ecologically differing districts on the planet. Its remoteness and absence of nearness to more created urban scenes has helped it make and safeguard an extensive variety of life, including roughly 30% of the known plant species in Latin America (WWF). Nonetheless, as deforestation keeps on harming this biological community and disturb the common adjust that has directed it, the impacts can to be sure be sweeping; harm to the Amazonian rainforest causes neighborhood aggravation, as well as permits worldwide outcomes. Mainly, the impacts of deforestation play both emotional and inconspicuous parts. The copious biodiversity that makes the area so remarkable additionally acts against the rainforest as more of it vanishes. Vanishing of vegetation makes progressively outstretching influences in the evolved ways of life and supplement systems; species that typically have stayed inside one area of the timberland are pushed to another basically by means of the quest for sustenance. This, obviously, just applies if the creatures' nourishment supply exists somewhere else in the woods. On the off chance that this is not the situation, the populace may confront termination because of absence of sustenance. Regardless of the fact that the organic entities have the capacity to adjust to their new region, they now put an unbalancing weight on the district. Local populaces even of the same species—and invasives are presently contending over...
Words: 776 - Pages: 4
...Amazon Deforestation For many inhabitants of South America, deforestation has become a major threat affecting not only this region, but the world as a whole. With the question, is deforestation a positive to society, would be immediately proven wrong. We may not realize it, but with the destruction of cutting down amazonian trees there are consequential effects that disturb us and the entire planet. Deforestation is seen as a negative due to the fact that with cutting down trees, the animals that inhabit this natural region are now at a loss of a proper habitat. The result for many of the animals that are indigenous to the Amazon facing deforestation, will now experience habitat loss. As an effect of habitat loss, the populations of different...
Words: 334 - Pages: 2
...Amazonian devastated by soybean 1. By Emilio Rappold. Ecologists and experts as well as the government are alarmed by the recent figures about the deforestation rate in the most important rainforest in the world, due to the agricultural and livestock boom encouraged by the high international prices. Brazil is shocked by the bad news published in bold letters on the front pages of newspapers such as “O Globo”: the Amazonian forest has been devastated in the last months at a speed never recorded before. Experts and politicians know who is responsible: greed for soybean and meat jeopardise the existence of the world’s “green lung.” “The interrelations are very clear. When the meat and soybean prices decreased, the felling also did. However when the prices skyrocketed, the forest’s destruction raised too,” stated the economy expert and TV commentator Miriam Leitao. “We can't sacrifice our resources, that have been growing for thousands of years, just for profits of a few years or even months," agreed Marina Silva, the Minister of Environment. 2. (falta) 3. Brazil reached the second place among the main world’s bovine meat/beef production suppliers and the stability of the country largely depends on exports. The soybean lords earn great amounts of money and need more and more lands. This is the case of the governor and Blairo Maggi, better known as the soybean king, in the Matto Grosso state. It’s not surprising that the 54% of the area deforested...
Words: 573 - Pages: 3
...In 1822, Brazil became an independent nation from Portugal and is now the 5th largest country in the world with a quickly growing economy, a population of almost 200 million people, and a booming middle class. Located in the middle-easter part of South America, Brazil borders Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana - nearly all of the countries in South America! Brazil has a massive territorial size, covering nearly half of the continent, occupying an area of 3,286,470 square miles. Since July of 1994, under President Itamar Franco’s plan to stabilize the Brazilian economy, the currency has been the real. Brazil has become one of the largest markets in the world. When you think of Brazil, you may think of coffee, sugar cane, and other agricultural products, however, this economically diverse country has a strong industrial base producing and exporting commercial aircrafts, chemicals, petro chemicals, and machinery to the United States and South American countries. It also has many natural resources, including bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, and timber. Yet the largest sector of economy is in services including banking, telecommunications, energy, commerce, and information technology. Although the capital is Brasilia and the largest city is Sao Paulo, I think Brazil’s most well known city is unarguably Rio de Janeiro. This has a lot to do with Rio being home...
Words: 519 - Pages: 3
...The Amazon rainforest is home to one of the world’s most diverse habitats, covering the majority of Northern South America. Although it is the largest rainforest in the Western hemisphere, it is presently threatened by persistent deforestation and mining by mega corporations. The continuation of these processes not only endangers the population of wildlife inhabiting the Amazon, but it also affects the lives of many indigenous tribes that have occupied its forests for centuries. According to the nonprofit organization Amazon Watch, however, such heinous actions by foreign corporations upon the people and wildlife of the Amazon must stop at once. This essay will discuss the work of the nongovernmental organization Amazon Watch, providing information on its mission to protect and restore the environment of the Amazon rainforest....
Words: 641 - Pages: 3
...Amazon Rainforest is incredible. To see it, is to have an awe-inspiring experience. “The Amazon Rainforest has evolved over millions of years to turn into the incredible complex environment” (Amazon Rainforest) It is a beautiful landscape filled with some of the most beautiful animal and plant species on earth (see figure 1) .and is one of the world's greatest natural resources. The Amazon Rainforest produces about 20% of the earth’s oxygen because its vegetation continuously recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen. It has been described as the "Lungs of our Planet" (Amazon Rainforest). This rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest and covers over a billion acres. The areas included would be Brazil, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, and Peru. Figure 1 “Why is the Amazon Rainforest so important?” The Amazon is very ecologically important for many reasons. First of all, the rainforest has probably the largest collection of plant and animal species in the whole world. It is estimated that a single hectare (2.47 acres) of Amazon rainforest contains about 900 tons of living plants, including more than 750 types of trees and 1500 other plants (Rainforest Facts). The Amazon rainforest is considered the richest biological incubator in the world. Amazingly, the Andean mountain range and the Amazon jungle are the home to more than half of the world's species of flora and fauna; and are home to over 438,000 species, and many more are yet to be discovered (Rainforest Facts)...
Words: 2254 - Pages: 10
...Mateo Vargas Mrs. Cox English IV per. 3 12 November 2015 Deforestation By the time that you finish reading this article 324 football fields or 428 acres worth of forests will be lost to deforestation. Yearly this is a rate of thirty five million acres of forest loss. This is equivalent to a space the size of Nicaragua.*** Deforestation is the long term or permanent loss of forest cover and its transformation into another land use. Deforestation happens when forests are cut down faster than they are renewed.*** Deforestation has been occurring since the beginning of human development. The rate of deforestation has increased over time with the development of new technology. Technology allows for people to clear forests faster and do more harm....
Words: 1705 - Pages: 7
...By Shaina Herring The Amazon River is the fuel source for the 2,100,000 square mile Amazon rainforest . Spanning 9 countries in northern South America, this rainforest is so rich in plant life it produces approximately 20% of the worlds oxygen. Boasting the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon includes various ecosystems from swamps to savannas resulting in this particular biome housing the largest collection of plant and animal species in the world. Fascinating creatures such as jaguars, anacondas and even electric eel can be found along with incredible plant species such as bromeliads, epiphytes (air plants) and even carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap. These are just a few of thousands of plant and mammal species living harmoniously with roughly 2.5 million species of insects! High temperatures (an annual average of 80 degrees) and constant rain keep the climate fairly consistent year round which helps to support the Amazon’s appeal for biodiversity. Temperature- The average temperature of the rainforest is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and when coupled with 90% humidity produces a heat index of 86. The heat helps many of the indigenous plant animal species like the Howler monkey, aka Alouatta, who’s primary diet consists of vegetation. This type of diet slows their metabolism so much that this species has to utilize the harsh sunlight just to speed it up after cooler evenings. Many of the plants and animals push upward...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
...and developing industry that has great potential to help protect the rainforest of Peru and the indigenous peoples that survive within it. The International Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." Present Nowadays travel agency can offer different options of expeditions in Peru, for ex :expedition in the Andes mountain range, explorations in the Amazon Basin ets. Peru houses the highest diversity of fish, birds, and butterflies on the planet and ranks third in amphibians and mammals. These statistics all contribute to the ecotourism possibilities in the country of Peru. The International Ecotourism Society believes that Ecotourism will keep the impact of tourism minimal and also create awareness for conservation and provide benefits for the environment Current Issues Today, there are many indigenous and ethnic groups that remain are fighting for survival. The industry of ecotourism can help to understand the importance of protecting indigenous peoples. It empowers local communities to thrive, even while integrating their lives with tourists. The ecotourism field needs to keep developing in order to help sustain the people and wildlife within the Amazon. While the livelihoods of indigenous peoples are at stake, the rainforest is also in danger. The rainforest has been abused through deforestation projects such as logging, agriculture, the fuel wood industry, the...
Words: 708 - Pages: 3
...Ravi Vallabh SCI 204 10/28/15 iLab1: Deforestation 1. Discuss 5 products that come from tropical rain forests. a. Chocolate originates from the cacao plant, which grows in Central and South America. Its cultivation is a forest-friendly source of income for those living in the Amazon. (Larsson) b. Moisturizer has ingredients that originate in the Amazon. These ingredients include the Brazil nut and coconut oil. (Larsson) c. Medicine’s ingredients can come from the Amazon and have the properties to smell great and save lives. Tropical rainforests provide for 70% of the plants that have proven anti-cancer properties. (Tropical Forests, Larsson) d. Home and office products come from the most valuable types of wood only found in tropical rain forests. Though this may lead into deforestation, cutting down these trees. (Tropical Forests) e. Açaí is found in the Amazon, and is known as the super fruit of super foods. It is rich in proteins and is a massive health hit. (Larsson) 2. With clear examples, discuss 5 major causes of deforestation. a. Agricultural expansion (farming) demands come from an increase in consumer product demands. The Trans-Amazon Highway was to be built in the Amazonian basin, but it was a failure. However, the plan was to easily transport wood. (Debjani) b. Shifting cultivation is temporary growth, reliant on the clearing of a given area of a tropical rain forest. Once the cultivation amount is achieved, the area is...
Words: 675 - Pages: 3
...Ka 'apor Capuchin Cebus kaapori Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Suborder: Haplorrhini Infraorder: Simiiformes Parvorder: Platyrrhini Family: Cebidae Subfamily: Cebinae Genus: Cebus Species: C. kaapori Other names: Untufted Capuchin. For a long time the taxonomy of the Ka'apor Capuchin monkey was (and sometimes still is) strongly argued (Alfaro, Silva & Rylands, 2012). When it was first discovered by Ferrari and Queiroz in 1992 some believed that Cebus kaapori should be classed as a sub species of Cebus olivaceous. However nowadays it is considered by many to be its own individual species. It is also the only species of capuchin with no sub species (Boubli, Rylands, Farias, Alfaro & Alfaro, 2012).The Ka’apor capuchin is a member of the Cebidae family, one of five families that fall under the Platyrrhini Parvorder, classing this species as one of the New World Monkeys. Morphology: Compared to most other primate species, the Ka’apor capuchin is relatively small, growing no larger than roughly 60cm in height and 45cm in length. The species has relatively long limbs compared to its trunk size allowing efficient quadrupedal movement through the tree canopy which is a large benefit due to the species being predominately arboreal, they have also been noted to be bipedal however this is quite a rare occurrence. They possess a semi-prehensile tail that is mainly used during feeding unlike the other New World Monkeys...
Words: 1896 - Pages: 8
...UNIT I DEFORESTATION CHAPTER 1 What is deforestation? Deforestation is the removal or damage of vegetation in a forest to the extent that it no longer supports its natural flora and fauna. In other words, deforestation can be defined as the transformation of forest land to non-forest uses where forest land includes lands under agro-forestry and shifting cultivation, and not simply closed canopy primary forests (FAO/UNEP, 1982). However, this definition does not include “logging”. More inclusive was Myers’s 1980 definition, where deforestation refers, “generally to the complete destruction of forest cover through clearing for agriculture … [so] … that not a tree remains, and the land is given over to non-forest purposes … [and where] very heavy and unduly negligent logging … [result in a] … decline of biomass and depletion of ecosystem services … . So severe that the residual forest can no longer qualify as forest in any practical sense of the world.” Alan Graigner (1980, AS quoted in Saxena and Nautiyal, 1997) asserts that selective logging does not “lead to forest clearance and does not constitute deforestation”, whereas Norman Myers (1980, 1993) thinks that logging is crucial because, although it may only affect a small proportion of trees per hectare, it damages wide areas and is the precursor of penetration by the forest farmers. For the purpose of this study, the FAO’s latest definitions (1993) will be used. The FAO defines forests as “ecosystems with a minimum...
Words: 17310 - Pages: 70
...Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of economic growth in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving theenvironment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come (sometimes taught as ELF-Environment, Local people, Future[citation needed]). The term 'sustainable development' was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."[1][2] Alternatively, sustainability educator Michael Thomas Needham referred to 'Sustainable Development' "as the ability to meet the needs of the present while contributing to the future generations’ needs."[3] There is an additional focus on the present generations responsibility to improve the future generations life by restoring the previous ecosystem damage and resisting to contribute to further ecosystem damage. Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges faced by humanity. As early as the 1970s, "sustainability" was employed to describe an economy "in equilibrium with basic ecological support systems."[4]Ecologists have pointed to The Limits to Growth,[5] and presented the alternative of a "steady state economy"[6] in order to address environmental concerns. The concept of sustainable development is often...
Words: 10207 - Pages: 41
