2.2.3 Deforestation

Deforestation

Main Threats to Tropical Rainforests

• Urbanisation
• As population increases, forests are cut down to make way for towns and cities.

Urbanisation

Resources

• Resources

• Trees are cut down and the wood is used for various purposes (e.g., paper, furniture, houses).

• Agriculture

• As population increases, the need for food increases. Forests are cut down to make space for farming.

• Example: McDonald's building cattle ranches in Brazil.

Agriculture

Mining/Industry

• Mining/Industry

• Countries need to develop; factories are often built over forested areas.

• Resources like gold, copper, tin, diamonds, etc., are mined from these areas.

• Tourism

• Some countries build hotels, complexes, etc., in forested areas to cater to tourists.

  

Tourism

Dams/Reservoirs

• Dams/Reservoirs

• The need for water and electricity is huge. Forests are cleared to build dams for HEP (Hydroelectric Power) and water supplies.

• Transport

• Countries need to build transport links to and from all areas. New roads, railways, and airports are often built over forest areas.

Transport

Why Does Deforestation Still Occur in Brazil?

Economic Importance:

• Biggest Beef Producer
  • Brazil is the world's largest beef producer, exporting a record 1.64 million tonnes of animal products last year, generating about $7.6 billion.
• Biggest Export - Soybeans
  • Soybeans are Brazil's biggest export, earning $25 billion annually.
• Mineral Exports
  • Includes gold and iron, worth $36.6 billion, about 20% of all Brazil's exports.
• Primary Timber Products
  • Export value in 2015 was about $243.2 million.
• Projected Growth
  • Brazil intends to increase exports by about 20% in the next four years.

Environmental Impacts:

• Soil Erosion
  • With no trees to hold the soil, heavy rain washes away the soil.
  • Without a tree canopy to intercept rainfall and tree roots to absorb it, more rain reaches the soil, reducing soil fertility as nutrients are washed away.
• Carbon Sink
  • Trees act as a carbon sink by absorbing CO2. Burning trees releases CO2, increasing greenhouse gases.
  • Deforestation contributes to 15% of global CO2 emissions.