Antoine Whims Professor Chekol Research Paper

Disappearing Tropical Rainforests

The destruction of the tropical rainforests is one of the biggest global environmental problems that we face today. Although the rainforests are local and confined to certain areas of the world, their destruction is, nevertheless, a global problem, and this is so for several reasons. First, the rainforests are the lungs of the planet. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Rainforests are also sinks, storage reservoirs of natural substances, in particular of carbon. Finally, rainforests are the only habitats of literally thousands and thousands of plant and animal species. Many of these species have not even been identified and may be lost forever. Scientists believe that amongst the unidentified plants we may find many which can potentially cure some of our deadliest diseases. Others are already used as curer: quinine for example, which treats malaria, which is found in the rainforest. According to Myers tropical forests still cover almost 8 million km2 of the humid tropics. But they are being destroyed at ever-more rapid rates. In 1989 the area deforested amounted to 142 200 km2, or nearly 90% more than in 1979. So whereas the 1989 total amounted to 1.8% of the remaining biome, the proportion could well continue to rise for the foreseeable future, until there is little forest left in just another

few decades(2001). Deforestation does not occur evenly. Some areas are being destroyed faster than others. Deforestation refers to the complete destruction of forest cover through clearing for agriculture of whatever sort (cattle ranching, smallholder agriculture whether planned or spontaneous, and large-scale commodity-crop production through e.g. rubber and palm-oil plantations). It means that not a tree remains, and the land is given over to nonforest purposes (Myers, 2001). Many developing countries count on tropical rainforests to improve their economies. The global loss of forest cover is associated with global increases in population and consumption (Kummer & Turner, 2004), but there are also vast regional differences for reasons of deforestation. The Brazilian Amazon region has the highest deforestation rate in the world (Skole et al, 2004). Brazil is in dire economic situation and is faced with a growing population and economic debt. One of the ways that the country is attempting to deal with this is through the development of the rainforests region. The major cause of deforestation in the Amazon is agricultural expansion (Skole et al 2004) but there are also other causes. More precisely sustenance farming, which is practiced by farmers who have been displaced from the lands by unsustainable practices and population growth is the main reason for deforestation. Farmers were given, by the Brazilian Government, land inside the rainforests and roads were built for easier access. Unfortunately the soils did not prove adequate for the short roots of domesticated pants and the farmers were forced to move deeper into the rainforest after a couple of years, clearing more and more areas. Logging is also another reason for deforestation in the Amazon. On average only about 5% of the vegetation in the jungle is marketable. In

the past, selective cutting as practiced only the commercially valuable trees were cut down. However in order to gain access to the trees much of the other vegetation was destroyed(Chasmer & Perry-Globa, 2008). Reforestation did not occur often. Industrial development is also the reason for deforestation in the Amazon, as the region contains mineral deposits of gold, diamonds and other minerals as well a huge supply of fresh water that could potentially supply much hydroelectric energy. Mining is an environmentally devastating economy in itself and requires additional clearing for road or rail development in order to transport the mined minerals. A cattle ranching is also a source of deforestation exclusive to Latin America, although according to Myers (2001) it has been on the decrease. One of the ways to deal with deforestation in the Amazon is to focus on more sustainable means of agriculture and less destructive logging methods as well as reforestation. Extractive reserve is an example given by Chasmer and Perry-Globa, (2008) for a way for more sustainable economic development of the Amazon. Rubber tappers collect small amounts of latex from rubber trees each day, which they sell. The trees are not destroyed. These activities can be extended to other forest products in the Amazon: nuts, fruits and vegetables. However, the biggest problem with preserving the rainforest I countries such as Brazil is the fact that these countries must balance conservation with the need for economic development and foreign capital. In Southeast Asia for example the rainforests have been heavily logged and exported to other countries. Approximately 70% of all tropical wood products on the global market after World War II originated in Southeast Asia (Kummar & Turner, 2004). Clearly logging is an important component of these countries economies, and

there is a great demand for timber in the world market. The logging has been followed by agricultural expansion, which has additionally contributed to deforestation, because it allowed migrant farmers to develop the land cleared by logging and made accessible by roads build to support the timber industry. Conservation efforts are difficult because of governmental policies that encourage logging and treat rainforests primarily as sources of revenue from exports. Harvesting concessions need to be managed properly. The regions of rainforests in Africa are also under the threat of deforestation, which is mostly driven by population growth and slash-and-burn cultivation, which is on the increase. This reflects not so much population growth as rundown of the national economy and greater marginalization of the country's poorest people (Myers, 2001). There has also been an increase in subsistence farming. So far, lumbering is confined to areas close to the few communications that exist, mainly river networks. This situation is scheduled to change markedly, however, if the government can attract enough foreign investment for its timber sector - and capital is reportedly starting to flood into the country. As much as 60% of the forests are considered to be loggable (Myers, 2001). Deforestation is significantly related to population growth, agricultural expansion, and the past rate of wood production (Allen & Barnes, 2005). Mist developing countries are attempting to improve and develop their economies and deal with population growth and the rainforests represent valuable natural resources and opportunities for export and foreign revenues. Deforestation can be fought by taking into consideration a broad range of issues and applying a broad range of policies and the sustainable management of forestry as well as agriculture. Furthermore, conservation targets must

be set, not just for the rainforests but also for the protection of the species diversity they contain.

References Allen, J., & Barnes, D. (2005). The causes of deforestation in developing countries. Annuals of the Association of American Geographers., 75(2), 163-184. Chesmer, R. (2008). Facing the Future: Global Issues in the 21st century. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1, 1. Kumar, D., & Turner, B. (2001). The human causes of deforestation in Southeast Asia. Bioscience, 44, 323-329. Myers, N. (2001). Tropical forests: present status and future outlooks. Climate Change, 19, 3-32. Skole, D. (2004). Bioscience. Physical and human dimensions of deforestation in Amazonia, 44(5), 314-322.