Deforestation of the Amazon Causes, Effects and Possible...

Deforestation of the Amazon: Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions NAME Geography 101, Section 040 PROFESSOR 6 December 2012 Abstract This paper explores the causes, effects and possible solutions of the deforestation of the Amazon Forest. It is important to understand why more than 580,000 square kilometers of Amazon forest has been destroyed in Brazil since 1980 (Rhett Butler 2012). The main topics of this paper, in order to fully explore the issue at hand, will include: 1. What is Deforestation? 2. What Are the Major Causes of Deforestation in the Amazon? 3. What are the Effects of Deforestation on the Amazon and it’s People? Deforestation of the Amazon: Causes,†¦show more content†¦A project such as mining take up a significant amount of space and forces the destruction of deep-rooted land due to the depth they must dig. [pic] Figure 1. Mining operations at Rio Huaypetue gold mine One of the most famous failed infrastructures is the attempted construction of Brazil’s Trans-Amazonian Highway in the 1970’s. The 2,000 mile highway was planned to bisect the Amazon forest, opening rainforest land for settlement of poor farmers from the over crowded north as well as allowing for the development of timber and access to mineral resources. Citizens who moved would be granted 250 acres of land, six month’s salary and easy loans in exchange for settling near the highway and transforming the surrounding rainforest into agricultural land (Butler 2012). This project was plagued in various aspects because the highway was deemed unstable during heavy rainfalls that would block traffic and leave crops to rot. Since the soil of the rainforest hold no nutrients, the slash and burn agriculture mentioned above was used in order to plant crops. Because the soil eventually returns to it’s original state, the nutrients in the previously burned crops alread y absorbed by the second harvest (the first is a â€Å"bumper crop† because the first harvest grows vigorously quickly soaking up the freshly releasedShow MoreRelatedWhat ´s Deforestation?1049 Words   |  4 PagesDeforestation is defined in the dictionary as the â€Å"removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is converted to a non forest use.† Common examples of deforestation include turning forestland to farms, ranches, or for urban use such as malls and housing. Forests still cover about thirty percent of the world’s land area, but according to National Geographic, â€Å"swaths the size of Panama are lost each and every year.† The world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred  years at the currentRead More Three Solutions to Deforestation Essay1077 Words   |  5 PagesThree Solutions to Deforestation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If a tree falls in the woods and no ones there to hear it, does it make a sound? Or rather, if a tree falls in the woods and no ones there to hear it, does anybody even care? This saying epitomizes the worlds current view on deforestation, most notably in the Brazilian Amazon, which is known as The Lungs of the Earth. Deforestation is defined as the long-term or permanent removal of forest cover, usually accompanied by burning, which is then convertedRead MoreDeforestation And Its Effects On The Environment1616 Words   |  7 PagesBackground Webster dictionary defines deforestation as the action or process of clearing of forests. It occurs when humans desire to make use of land covered by forest for other purposes. This clearing of tree is concerning due to the fact that trees are being cut down at a rate much greater then they can grow back. This is called overshot, and can have a devastating impact on the environment. There is an estimated loss of 18 million acres of forest each year. That is roughly equivalent to the sizeRead MoreWorld At Risk Assessment : Describe Aspects Of A Geographic Issue Essay1453 Words   |  6 Pagesinvolves, how it effects people and the environment. You must include a map showing the location of the issue (you may find one on the internet or construct it yourself). You may include any other visuals such as photos, diagrams, cartoons. Global warming, waste, and pollution are big problems, but deforestation is one of the biggest. Deforestation is when large amounts of trees are cut down because of human wants. The leading cause of deforestation is cattle farming. Another big cause is the growthRead MoreEssay on The Impacts of Deforestation in the Tropical Rainforest1038 Words   |  5 PagesThe Impacts of Deforestation in the Tropical Rainforest Deforestation is having an effect on all tropical rainforests. This is not just negative effects but also some very positive effects from the deforestation of the rainforests. From deforestation there are many problems that can be caused by this, environmental, social, economic and political issues all from the destruction of the rainforests across the world. There has been dramatic deforestation across the worldRead More Possible Solutions of Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon2763 Words   |  12 PagesNowadays deforestation is the one of the most important and controversial environmental issues in the world. Deforestation is cutting down, clearing away or burning trees or forests. Particularly tropical rainforests are the most waning type of forests because of its location in developing countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, India, central African countries and Brazil. Deforestation rate in those regions is high enough to worry about, because of large economic potential of forest areasRead MoreEssay The Human Impact on Rainforests1203 Words   |  5 Pages destroy such essential part of the worlds biodiversity. Nevertheless there are still huge advantages of deforestation. But does this mean 2.47 acres of rainforest should be destroyed every single second? This mean every second of the day size of two football field is lost forever. Rainforests are the most productive and most complex ecosystems on Earth. Amazon rainforest alone produces 20% of the world’s oxygen. Therefore, the consequences of destroying it will beRead MoreDeforestation : Deforestation And Deforestation2094 Words   |  9 PagesEvery single day, the Amazon Rainforest is losing a massive amount of area due to deforestation. The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest and it is the world’s source of oxygen. Deforestation has slowed down years ago, but now, it is starting to increase and does not show that it will slow down. Earth without tree’s, the human race and animals would not be able to survive. Today’s society is not taking deforestation as a serious matter. If deforestation were to be left alone, the planetRead MoreResilience and Change: Life in the Amazon Essay2417 Words   |  10 PagesSocial and technological development has negatively affected the native people of the Amazon Rainforest. Challenges such as increasing population size, climate change and global warming, market integration and trade, deforestation, the price o f development, and resurgent protectionists are social and ecological threats to native Amazonian life and culture. Their ability to be resilient to these changes requires cooperation, organization, adaptation, and eventually conformation. Before the exponentialRead MoreA Look Into Some Causes, Effects, And Possible Solutions Of Deforestation2536 Words   |  11 Pages Ameera Jafrey Professor Syvates ENST 150 September 22, 2014 A Look into Some Causes, Effects, and Possible Solutions of Deforestation in the Global Environment I. Introduction With society’s demand and need for the earth’s resources, deforestation has long been a prevalent environmental issue at hand and has picked up significant momentum more recently. Deforestation occurs around the world, however, according to GRID-Arendal, it is most prevalent in areas with tropical rainforests