Kristina Ellis

Mrs. Mikel/Ms. Record

ELA 9H 8/Geography 4
3 December 2014
Deforestation in Costa Rica
The image of bare land is etched into the minds of thousands. So many
trees being torn or burned to the ground both damaging the land and animals in
that area. Deforestation is the mass clearing of forests. Of the many places being
affected by this issue is Costa Rica. The problem of deforestation in Costa Rica
can be alleviated by eco-tourism, forest conservation, and reforestation.
Search for domestic fuel is traditionally the main cause of deforestation
(Nsengimana) Firewood, only one reason of many to kill trees and our world.
Most of the time deforestation happens so that land can be provided or the
lumber is necessary for our daily needs.
Deforestation causes many issues not only in surrounding ecosystems,
but also to the world. Deforestation contributes to global warming. "Scientists
say one day's deforestation is equivalent to the carbon footprint of eight million
people flying to New York." Daniel Howden argues in the following viewpoint that
among the many factors causing global warming, deforestation has a more
severe impact than many other human activities. (Howden) Another cause of
deforestation is, harm to the animals and species which live there. There are so
many negative effects of deforestation that cause treacherous things.

One of the ways deforestation can be stopped is by forest conservation.

Due to efforts made by many people hoping to conserve forests in Costa Rica by
bettering their lives to improve their forests, by forest conservation. To where now
50 percent of the land in Costa RIca is covered in forests. (Dyer) Also, a program
referred to as Payment for Environmental Services, ran by the government,
started in the 1990s. A program that pays landowners to maintain native forest
rather than cut it and has contributed to a significant reduction in Costa Rica's
deforestation rate. (Moir) In addition these forest conservation efforts have
made a difference.

Another way to help prevent deforestation is, ecotourism. Which is

tourism to places having unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the
environment being a primary concern. The efforts of ecotourism has been very
effective in Costa Rica. Companies coming in to places such as Costa Rica to
help and also make profit do the following. "They can share the resources they
have, they can increase their marketability, they can increase standards of
operation, and then directly link ecotourism to conservation and local community
development," says RARE tours manager Jim Dion.(Hardman) Ecotourism is
only one of the many ways to help prevent deforestation from worsening, but it is
also an opening for many opportunities. "Ecotourism promotes conservation
while generating economic revenue and foreign exchange for remote,
impoverished areas." In addition this is a popular way to help the environment.
"This type of tourism is predicted to grow five percent by 2024, with some

travelers going only to places that protect or benefit the environment and local
peoples." (Debarbieri) With the help of local land owners and tourists from
around the world ecotourism and forest conservation are having success in the
managing deforestation. Another way the struggle of deforestation can be
lightened is by reforestation. "Trees Water and People's approach to
reforestation involves more than just protecting forests and planting trees. We
have created successful community-led reforestation projects in Guatemala, El
Salvador, Honduras and Haiti in addition to our Forest Replacement Associations
in Nicaragua. " With the communities all working together to complete an overall
goal to aid their homes there is a certainty that they will be more productive.
Furthermore, "Community tree nurseries in Central America and Haiti produce
tree seedlings and plant them in deforested areas, family farms and around

their homes. A diverse range of tree species, many of which are native to the
areas we work, are planted. Some of these trees will be used for firewood and
fruit production, while others will remain for the duration of the trees' life,
sequestering carbon and creating healthy soils and watersheds." (Trees, Water &
People) Adding seedlings to deforested areas will add to the nutrients of the soil
long-term. "As one part of a broader conservation and management strategy, the
Tongass National Forest will undertake a major yellow-cedar enhancement
project this summer. The Forest will inter-plant 70,000 trees on 700 acres of
Prince of Wales Island, in suitable acres to supplement stocking levels of yellowcedar that will regenerate naturally. Suitable planting areas are being determined

by using the best available science that links snowpack, elevation, aspect and
soil productivity and drainage to the long-term survival of the species. " (United
States Department of Agriculture Forest Service) The planting of trees in
sufficient areas where it is needed for soil productivity will greatly decrease the
deforestation rates. Not only will the reforestation benefit the soil and all the
people on the earth it will also benefit all surrounding animals in the areas and
protect the surrounding ecosystems.
Some addition yet simple solutions to deforestation are, not cutting down
christmas trees. Many people love real christmas trees cut straight from the
forest, but less of these can mean more trees in the earth supporting us all. To
add, if people couldnt have fires around areas with trees, which are potential to
lighting on fire there would be less risk and forest fires. Additionally, simply
recycling so that there isnt a need for more paper can help the cause.
In conclusion, deforestation effects on the world are not worth suffering
animals, an increase in carbon dioxide and so much more. So finding ways to
reduce the effects and terminate it in total will help the environment. Help make a
difference in this world. Help stop deforestation.

Works Cited
American Psychological Association (APA):
ecotourism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 10,
2014, from Dictionary.com
"Costa Rica named among countries most successfully combating deforestation
in new
report." Tico Times [San Jos, Costa Rica] 6 June 2014. Global Issues In
Context. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.
Debarbieri, Lili. Ethical Traveler: Where Is Tourism Headed? (2008): 23. Print
Hardman, Chris. "Green profits of tourism. (iOjo!)." Americas [English
Edition] May-June 2002: 3. Global Issues In Context. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Howden, Daniel. "Deforestation Contributes to Global Warming." Global
Warming. Ed.
David Haugen, Susan Musser, and Kacy Lovelace. Detroit: Greenhaven
Press,
2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Deforestation: The Hidden Cause
of
Global Warming." Independent 14 May 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context.
Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"30 Million Trees to Be Planted." Africa News Service 19 Nov. 2014. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Moir, John. "An economist for nature calculates the need for more protection."
New York Times 9 Aug. 2011: D3(L). Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
"Studies from University of Turismo Add New Findings in the Area of
Deforestation."
Global Warming Focus 28 May 2012: 132. Global Issues In Context. Web.
4 Dec. 2014.
"Trees Planted (1998-2014): 5,528,998." Treeswaterpeople.org. Trees Water &
People.
Web. 11 Dec. 2014.