Effects of Rural Land Degradation in the Amazon

Question 1

Tribes

Answer 1

Tribes such as the Yanomami lose their homes land and culture. Local languages and traditions are lost forever.
Being displaced into the modern world can lead to culture shock as this is a massive change for them and they struggle to adapt.
They struggle to adapt as they find it very distressing and some have been known to suffer from depression, alcoholism and some even commit suicide
Incomers can often bring with them ‘western diseases’, such as the common cold. Tribal people have no immunity or resistance to this as they have lived in isolation so long. E.g. Due to influenza, the number of Nukak people has been reduced by 50% since 1995.

Question 2

Loss of Plant and Animal Habitat

Answer 2

Animals and plant species are put under severe pressure by deforestation. Their homes and food supplies are destroyed
This reduces biodiversity and pushes some species to the brink of extinction – up to 50 species a day.
To date, at least 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals, 400 amphibians, 3,000 freshwater fish have been found in the Amazon (70% of the world’s total)

Question 3

Increases Global Warming

Answer 3

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Without as many trees, there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which is to say that it traps heat causing the planets temperature to rise.

Question 4

Loss of Potential Future Medicines

Answer 4

Much of the rainforests plant species are still to be discovered and as such are still unknown to man.
By destroying these unknown species, the human race is destroying possible cures to present and future diseases.

Question 5

Soil Erosion

Answer 5

Tree roots anchor the soil and the canopy protects the soil from heavy rains.
Without trees, the soil is free to wash or blow away.
The soil loses nutrients (up to 90% of its nutrients) meaning that over time the soil will become less fertile – resulting in fallow periods and reduced crop yields.
Leads to malnutrition/hunger in tribes.

Question 6

Water Cycle

Answer 6

Trees are important to the water cycle. They intercept rain fall and produce water vapour that is released into the atmosphere through transpiration.
A decrease in transpiration means fewer clouds and precipitation – resulting in rainfall unreliability and drought.
Without trees surface runoff increases and river levels can swell leading to flooding.
Increased drought may also lead to forest fires which destroy large areas of forest.

Question 7

Contributes to Brazil’s Economic Development

Answer 7

The Brazilian government makes money from selling timber, minerals and farm products (e.g. $15billion in exports of cattle products in 2014).
They can use profits from selling the resources on improving the country’s infrastructure.
For example to help build schools, hospitals and communications.