The Amazon Rainforest is one of the richest in the world in animal and plant diversity But deforestation is decimating this precious area... |
Consequences of DeforestationThe Amazon Rainforest is one of the most unique and richest areas in the world in animal and plant diversity. Not only this, but Indigenous communities thrive in the Amazon. Over the years, the Amazon has been plagued by the issue of deforestation. This precious rainforest is continually being decimated along with its unique flora and fauna and its culturally diverse communities. Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest has had irreversible effects on the environment, on Indigenous communities in the area and on economy. The way in which the issue of deforestation is affecting such areas is quite often overlooked but these impacts must be addressed.
Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest negatively impacts three main areas. These include: -----> The Environment (Flora & Fauna, Global Warming & Climate Change) -----> Indigenous Communities ------> Economy (Of Local Communities & Brazil As A Whole) |
The Impact Of Deforestation
A quick video created by Chris Meyers from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) outlining some of the devastating effects of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest including the impact on wildlife and the future of the Amazon.
A quick video created by Chris Meyers from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) outlining some of the devastating effects of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest including the impact on wildlife and the future of the Amazon.
Environmental Impacts
The large-scale removal of trees in the Amazon Rainforest has had devastating effects on the environment, many of which cannot be reversed. Deforestation has impacted the environment in a number of ways which are explained below. Impact on Wildlife One of the most dangerous and concerning problems of deforestation is the impact that it has on the wildlife. This threat to wildlife is confirmed by the news article on the right which states "Amazon deforestation caused extinction of 26 species". Deforestation affects wildlife through large-scale habitat destruction driving many species to extinction and leaving others endangered. The Amazon is home to over 100,000 invertebrate species, 5,000 fish species, 1,300 bird species, over 400 mammal species, 1000 amphibians and over 300 reptile species. However, deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has resulted in the loss of many animal species. The trees of the rainforest that provide shelter and form the natural habitat for the many species within the Amazon Rainforest have been destroyed due to deforestation. This has resulted in a loss of species as they no longer have access to the trees which provide shelter, food and nourishment. Such species may often become endangered or extinct. In the past 30 years, studies by scientists have shown that 38 species of animals, including 10 mammal, 20 bird and 8 amphibian species have become extinct. It is estimated that this is just one fifth of those that will slowly die out as the loss of habitat takes its toll. Very few species are killed directly through forest clearance, but many are left to face a slow death due to falling breeding rates and increased competition for food. Loss of biodiversity is the main consequence of deforestation in Amazonia, and is also totally irreversible. Impact on Flora The Amazon Rainforest is rich in trees and plants, with over 40,000 plant species and 16,000 tree species all playing critical roles in proper function of the ecosystem. In addition to their previously mentioned roles, trees also function to retain water and topsoil, which provides nutrients to sustain additional forest life. However, the loss of trees and their roots which anchor the soil has resulted in widespread soil erosion. This creates a poorer environment for these plants and trees which has resulted in various species of flora being unable to adapt to the new conditions and, as a result, becoming endangered or extinct, just like animal species. |
News Article Outlining Impacts of Deforestation
March 4, 2009 Sourced From The Xinhua News Agency ____________________________________________________________________________________________ "Amazon deforestation caused extinction of 26 species Rio De Janeiro (Xinhua): The deforestation in the Amazon rainforest region has led to the extinction of 26 animal and plant species, a UN report said. Another 644 species of animals and plants, including the red-faced spider monkey, the spectacled bear and the otter, were in danger of extinction, it said. According to the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) report released on Wednesday, the region lost 17 percent of its forest, about 857,666 sq km, nearly equal to the territory of Venezuela, by 2005." ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Here are just some of the many endangered animal species within the Amazon Rainforest
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Click Image to Enlarge The above image shows soil erosion and how it prevents the development of additional forest life. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Impact of Deforestation The below graph shows carbon dioxide emissions associated with deforestation in the Amazon rainforest from the year 2005 to 2011 __________________________________________________________________
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Impact on Global Warming & Climate Change Another major concern arising from deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is the global effect it has on climate change and global warming. Presently, the tropical rainforests of South America are responsible for 20% of Earth’s oxygen, with the Amazon rainforest representing a considerable portion of this figure. The Amazon is of vital importance in the carbon dioxide exchange process, absorbing increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. Due to large-scale deforestation in the Amazon, less carbon-dioxide is absorbed, thus having a clear effect on global warming. The problem is made worse by the method of removing the forest where many trees are burned to the ground emitting vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, not only affecting air quality in areas of Brazil but affecting the carbon dioxide levels globally as a result. The graph to the left outlines the carbon dioxide emissions associated with deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. One illustrative example of the impact of deforestation was in 1987 between July and October where about 50,000 square kilometres of rainforest was burned in the states of Para, Mato Grosso, Rondonia, and Acre releasing more than 500 million tons of carbon, 44 million tons of carbon monoxide, and millions of tons of nitrogen oxides and poisonous chemicals into the atmosphere and thus, having a severe effect both locally and globally. |
Impact on Indigenous Communities
The Amazon Rainforest is home to a vast range of Indigenous communities which have existed for thousands of years. These communities have developed lifestyles that are well integrated with the benefits and constraints of the rainforest. However, deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has had significant impacts on such communities. Deforestation significantly affects the social and economic lifestyles of the Indigenous people who have lived and become reliant on the rainforest for their survival. The rainforest is their home and a fundamental source of food, shelter, fuel, nourishment and also of significant cultural value. Deforestation and removal of what have become the homes of these Indigenous people have not only destroyed traditional lifestyles but have resulted in the decimation of various Indigenous communities. Today, despite the population decimation, native peoples still live in the Amazon rainforest, although virtually all of them have been affected by the issue of deforestation. Today, none of these Indigenous people are able to lead their fully traditional lifestyles, but rather they are continually coping with the consequences of deforestation. In the Amazon Rainforest, at the time of first European contact and at the start of the issue of deforestation, an estimated 5 million Indigenous people lived in the Amazon. More recent figures estimate that the number of Indigenous people living in the Amazon has dwindled down to 900,000 people as a result of deforestation and outside contact. |
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Indigenous Communities of the Amazon The graph below shows the approximate number of uncontacted Indigenous groups within the Amazon as of 2010. These groups are generally within protected areas of the Amazon and therefore there is little contact with them and the outside world. __________________________________________________________________
It's All Finished - Tribal Chief Speaks About Amazon Deforestation Issue
Amazon tribal chiefs Raoni Metuktire and Megaron Txucarramae highlight environmental situation in Brazilian rainforest. With World Cup 2014 preparations in full swing, protesters from the Kayapo people of the Amazon joined other indigenous people in a clash with the Brazilian riot police. Two of them walked into the Channel 4 News studio to speak about why they're on the streets. |
Economic Impacts
The incentive behind deforestation has always been derived from its economic benefits for communities. It is true that the selling of timber, development of cattle ranching and other activities involving deforestation have led to prosperity for communities. However, whilst many view this prosperity as a reason for deforestation, many overlook the fact that this prosperity is often short lived and quickly dies out. A 2009 study of nearly 300 communities in the Brazilian Amazon showed that deforestation leads to social and economic "boom and bust". In fact, this boom-and-bust pattern ultimately destroys the forest but does little to improve long-prosperity, thus having a negative impact on the economy.
So why does this boom-and-bust pattern occur?
Any region that is being deforested, which often yields profit, attracts migrants who capitalise on newly available land, timber and minerals. As a result, the human population increases and this leads to an increased demand for roads and other infrastructure which connect once isolated communities with valuable markets. This, in turn, leads to better access to healthcare and schools, resulting in this socio-economic boom. But these improvements are short lived with the denser population quickly using up the natural resources of the rainforest and a degradation of the soil resulting from deforestation. Not only is this terrible for the environment, but it affects the economy as the value of the land is completely lost as the land is abandoned. As a result, per-capita income, life expectancy and literacy rates all drop, as jobs disappear whilst the migrants move onto the next frontier.
Thus, from this, it can be seen how deforestation, in many cases, yields no profit but rather has a negative impact on the economy as well as the environment.
The incentive behind deforestation has always been derived from its economic benefits for communities. It is true that the selling of timber, development of cattle ranching and other activities involving deforestation have led to prosperity for communities. However, whilst many view this prosperity as a reason for deforestation, many overlook the fact that this prosperity is often short lived and quickly dies out. A 2009 study of nearly 300 communities in the Brazilian Amazon showed that deforestation leads to social and economic "boom and bust". In fact, this boom-and-bust pattern ultimately destroys the forest but does little to improve long-prosperity, thus having a negative impact on the economy.
So why does this boom-and-bust pattern occur?
Any region that is being deforested, which often yields profit, attracts migrants who capitalise on newly available land, timber and minerals. As a result, the human population increases and this leads to an increased demand for roads and other infrastructure which connect once isolated communities with valuable markets. This, in turn, leads to better access to healthcare and schools, resulting in this socio-economic boom. But these improvements are short lived with the denser population quickly using up the natural resources of the rainforest and a degradation of the soil resulting from deforestation. Not only is this terrible for the environment, but it affects the economy as the value of the land is completely lost as the land is abandoned. As a result, per-capita income, life expectancy and literacy rates all drop, as jobs disappear whilst the migrants move onto the next frontier.
Thus, from this, it can be seen how deforestation, in many cases, yields no profit but rather has a negative impact on the economy as well as the environment.