Deforestation

Question 1

what are the causes of deforestation in the Amazon rain forest?

Answer 1

Logging:
–>cleared for valuable trees
–>50% of rain forest being protected but all logging is between 60-80% illegal
–>Avoid detection because of lack of federal environment agency
Road building:
–>4000 km long trans-amazonian highway made more remote areas more susceptible to illegal logging and plantations
Mineral extraction:
–>developed countries rely on the minerals found in the` Amazon such as copper and gold
Population growth:
–>since 2010 Para’s population increased from 154,000 to 220,000
–>rain forest cleared for houses and infrastructure

Question 2

what are the impacts of deforestation in the Amazon rain forest?

Answer 2

Contributes to climate change:
–>Slash and burn releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
–>Amazon’s overall ability to soak up Carbon dioxide dropped by 30% from 1990s to 2000s and global emissions rose by 21%
Soil erosion:
–>Deforestation exposes the soil to heavy rain
–>rain removes the nutrients in the soil so few species are able to grow
Economic development:
–>Deforestation threatens 57% of the 15,000 Amazonian tree species