Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world and spreads across many countries, including Brazil. It has the world’s largest biodiversity of plants and animals and because of this, it greatly affects the world. Read environment before this case study to have a better understanding of it.
Here are some quick facts about the Amazon Rainforest:
The Amazon rainforest plays an extremely important role in both the Brazil and South America's economy. Firstly, the Amazon rainforest is one of the main producers of natural rubber in the world. Another way the Amazon rainforest benefits the country’s economy is through mining, Amazon is known for being a potential place for mining assets. Thirdly, illegal activities such as drug dealing, illegal logging and biological trade also benefits the country’s economy. Although it only takes up a small portion, the tourism industry also contributes more or less to the country’s economy. Reasons why few tourists want to visit the Amazon rainforest includes the fact that there are still many unknown species of animals in the forest, there are still many unknown parts of the forest that has yet to be discovered and that there are dangerous people in the forest, such as drug dealers.
Here are some quick facts about the Amazon Rainforest:
- occupies several countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana
- 1.4 billion acres of forests, which is half of Earth’s remaining tropical forests
- 4,100 miles of rivers
The Amazon rainforest plays an extremely important role in both the Brazil and South America's economy. Firstly, the Amazon rainforest is one of the main producers of natural rubber in the world. Another way the Amazon rainforest benefits the country’s economy is through mining, Amazon is known for being a potential place for mining assets. Thirdly, illegal activities such as drug dealing, illegal logging and biological trade also benefits the country’s economy. Although it only takes up a small portion, the tourism industry also contributes more or less to the country’s economy. Reasons why few tourists want to visit the Amazon rainforest includes the fact that there are still many unknown species of animals in the forest, there are still many unknown parts of the forest that has yet to be discovered and that there are dangerous people in the forest, such as drug dealers.
Despite the importance of the Amazon rainforest, it is being destroyed over the years. The following are some threats the it is facing:
Poor Planning
Firstly, poorly planned infrastructure has a negative impact on the forest. One example is the building of roads for commercial purposes. Building of roads allow access for loggers to previously inaccessible areas. This results in an increase illegal and unsustainable logging. These negative impacts exceed the short term benefits. Furthermore, Brazil uses hydropower to meet their country’s increasing demand for energy. Dams are being constructed, but they bring about many other negative impacts, such as disrupting river connectivity, destroying aquatic life, and interfering with subsistence and commercial fisheries.
Cattle Ranching
Another reason for the damage of the Amazon rainforest is due to the extensive cattle ranching. Today, 80% of the deforested areas in the Amazon rainforest are occupied by cattle ranches. Forested areas are being cleared to make space for more cattle grazing pastures and cropland for cattle ranching, to produce beef and soy products. The land space needed for cattle ranching also displaces small farmers, forcing them to clear previously forested areas to make a living. Not only do cattle pastures cause deforestation, pasture runoff also contaminate rivers. Fields are managed using fires, and the fires may spread into the remaining forests. All these activities cause climate change. According to statistics, 340 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere every year due to deforestation caused by ranching.
Illegal Natural Resource Extraction
Thirdly, there is a high demand for the natural resources found in the Amazon rainforest. This results in illegal resource extraction - gold mining, oil exploration, illegal logging and overfishing. However, there is little law enforcement to prevent further extraction of resources. Inefficient processes used to extract the resources needed also destroy nature and wildlife. One example is mining activities cause soil erosion and subsequently, water pollution.
All these threats definitely cause damage to the Amazon rainforests, and here are the several ways human activities have impacted the forest negatively:
Climate Change
The Amazon Rainforest is able to modify the global climate. Since it has so many plants, the forest is able to exchange large amounts of water with atmosphere. This helps to control local & regional temperatures. Other than that, the destruction of Amazon Rainforest can cause global temperatures to rise by 1-2 degree Celsius. Another factor that leads to the rising global temperature would be that humans have been producing large amounts of carbon dioxide, by burning fossil fuel, coal, oil etc. At the same time, carbon dioxide is produced as a result of burning trees during deforestation. All in all, if there are lesser trees, the forest’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide is reduced. Compared to when there are more trees, the balance of O2 and CO2 is equal and more stable.
Loss of Water Cycling
The Amazon Rainforest also contributes to the water cycle during transpiration when water from the plants are released into the atmosphere. By cutting down the number of trees, the critical water services are reduced.
Loss of Medical Benefits
Along with the advancement of medical science, humans have used insects and plants for agriculture, clothing and to cure diseases. Especially for indigenous people, they have also learnt how to use chemical compounds found in plants and animals and knowledge of these medical information is usually held by a medicine man (shaman) which is then passed on to an apprentice. This has been ongoing for centuries, as a part of their identity. Hence, without rainforests, medical knowledge of plants for future generations will be lost.
Loss of Biodiversity
The Amazon rainforest is like a “DNA bank” holding the secrets to many new discoveries. However, less than 0.5% of flowering plant species have been studied for their medicinal potential. There are many undiscovered medicinal potential of plants and animals. If deforestation continues, these rare species will lose habitat and may become extinct, which result in a loss in species. For example, the Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey, Poison Dart Frog, Harpy Eagle.
Social Impact
With natural resources depleting, people will not be able to benefit from the natural resources ecosystems provide. Especially for indigenous people that live and depend on the rainforest, they would be homeless and this will cause a great loss of indigenous tribes, leading to protests and an increase in poverty.
Poor Planning
Firstly, poorly planned infrastructure has a negative impact on the forest. One example is the building of roads for commercial purposes. Building of roads allow access for loggers to previously inaccessible areas. This results in an increase illegal and unsustainable logging. These negative impacts exceed the short term benefits. Furthermore, Brazil uses hydropower to meet their country’s increasing demand for energy. Dams are being constructed, but they bring about many other negative impacts, such as disrupting river connectivity, destroying aquatic life, and interfering with subsistence and commercial fisheries.
Cattle Ranching
Another reason for the damage of the Amazon rainforest is due to the extensive cattle ranching. Today, 80% of the deforested areas in the Amazon rainforest are occupied by cattle ranches. Forested areas are being cleared to make space for more cattle grazing pastures and cropland for cattle ranching, to produce beef and soy products. The land space needed for cattle ranching also displaces small farmers, forcing them to clear previously forested areas to make a living. Not only do cattle pastures cause deforestation, pasture runoff also contaminate rivers. Fields are managed using fires, and the fires may spread into the remaining forests. All these activities cause climate change. According to statistics, 340 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere every year due to deforestation caused by ranching.
Illegal Natural Resource Extraction
Thirdly, there is a high demand for the natural resources found in the Amazon rainforest. This results in illegal resource extraction - gold mining, oil exploration, illegal logging and overfishing. However, there is little law enforcement to prevent further extraction of resources. Inefficient processes used to extract the resources needed also destroy nature and wildlife. One example is mining activities cause soil erosion and subsequently, water pollution.
All these threats definitely cause damage to the Amazon rainforests, and here are the several ways human activities have impacted the forest negatively:
Climate Change
The Amazon Rainforest is able to modify the global climate. Since it has so many plants, the forest is able to exchange large amounts of water with atmosphere. This helps to control local & regional temperatures. Other than that, the destruction of Amazon Rainforest can cause global temperatures to rise by 1-2 degree Celsius. Another factor that leads to the rising global temperature would be that humans have been producing large amounts of carbon dioxide, by burning fossil fuel, coal, oil etc. At the same time, carbon dioxide is produced as a result of burning trees during deforestation. All in all, if there are lesser trees, the forest’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide is reduced. Compared to when there are more trees, the balance of O2 and CO2 is equal and more stable.
Loss of Water Cycling
The Amazon Rainforest also contributes to the water cycle during transpiration when water from the plants are released into the atmosphere. By cutting down the number of trees, the critical water services are reduced.
Loss of Medical Benefits
Along with the advancement of medical science, humans have used insects and plants for agriculture, clothing and to cure diseases. Especially for indigenous people, they have also learnt how to use chemical compounds found in plants and animals and knowledge of these medical information is usually held by a medicine man (shaman) which is then passed on to an apprentice. This has been ongoing for centuries, as a part of their identity. Hence, without rainforests, medical knowledge of plants for future generations will be lost.
Loss of Biodiversity
The Amazon rainforest is like a “DNA bank” holding the secrets to many new discoveries. However, less than 0.5% of flowering plant species have been studied for their medicinal potential. There are many undiscovered medicinal potential of plants and animals. If deforestation continues, these rare species will lose habitat and may become extinct, which result in a loss in species. For example, the Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey, Poison Dart Frog, Harpy Eagle.
Social Impact
With natural resources depleting, people will not be able to benefit from the natural resources ecosystems provide. Especially for indigenous people that live and depend on the rainforest, they would be homeless and this will cause a great loss of indigenous tribes, leading to protests and an increase in poverty.
Measures Taken
One policy that the Brazilian government has implemented, together with representatives from civil society associations and local administration, is the Amazon Protected Areas Programme (ARPA).
Conservation units visited local communities and listened to their opinions. They were trained and learnt how to preserve natural resources using agricultural and extractive techniques, and also how to extinguish forest fires. It was not an easy job, as 30% of the 25 million people lived in rural areas without any internet connection. Afterwards, they came up with policies for land occupation and management - for example, building conservation parks around the Amazon rainforest and drawing out areas for sustainable use.
The second phrase of ARPA started from May 2012-2015. It runs on a budget of US$85.8 million for the Protected Areas Fund (FAP), which is a 150% increase from the initial US$56.6 million in the first phrase. The second phrase aims to add another 13.5 million hectares of protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon, and the third phrase is aimed to be launched from 2016-2018, with nearly 70 million hectares of rainforest being protected.
ARPA has been a success so far, and a new World Bank project is now focusing on protecting the areas along Brazil’s coastlines, increasing the amount of protected marine territory from less than 2% to 5%.
Brazil also works with the World Wildlife (WWF) to conserve the Amazon rainforest. WWF is taking many active steps, such as conducting biological surveys and working with governments. One example is helping with the dam site selection process. WWF identifies rivers with the highest conservation values and inform the developers, so that when they are building the dams, they can steer away from these rivers. WWF also finds areas which are suitable to build dams, so that least possible damage will be made to the environment.
To increase efficiency and reduce waste, WWF works with the beef industry. They educate ranchers on how the amount of profits are not proportional to the amount of forests converted into pastures. WWF also works with a Beef Roundtable to increase the productivity of existing cattle ranches and stop more cattle ranches from being established in high conservation value areas.
One policy that the Brazilian government has implemented, together with representatives from civil society associations and local administration, is the Amazon Protected Areas Programme (ARPA).
Conservation units visited local communities and listened to their opinions. They were trained and learnt how to preserve natural resources using agricultural and extractive techniques, and also how to extinguish forest fires. It was not an easy job, as 30% of the 25 million people lived in rural areas without any internet connection. Afterwards, they came up with policies for land occupation and management - for example, building conservation parks around the Amazon rainforest and drawing out areas for sustainable use.
The second phrase of ARPA started from May 2012-2015. It runs on a budget of US$85.8 million for the Protected Areas Fund (FAP), which is a 150% increase from the initial US$56.6 million in the first phrase. The second phrase aims to add another 13.5 million hectares of protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon, and the third phrase is aimed to be launched from 2016-2018, with nearly 70 million hectares of rainforest being protected.
ARPA has been a success so far, and a new World Bank project is now focusing on protecting the areas along Brazil’s coastlines, increasing the amount of protected marine territory from less than 2% to 5%.
Brazil also works with the World Wildlife (WWF) to conserve the Amazon rainforest. WWF is taking many active steps, such as conducting biological surveys and working with governments. One example is helping with the dam site selection process. WWF identifies rivers with the highest conservation values and inform the developers, so that when they are building the dams, they can steer away from these rivers. WWF also finds areas which are suitable to build dams, so that least possible damage will be made to the environment.
To increase efficiency and reduce waste, WWF works with the beef industry. They educate ranchers on how the amount of profits are not proportional to the amount of forests converted into pastures. WWF also works with a Beef Roundtable to increase the productivity of existing cattle ranches and stop more cattle ranches from being established in high conservation value areas.
Other than depending on policies and the WWF to help save the Amazon rainforest, we can also do our part. Here are some of the ways we can help:
Say no to Brazilian Beef
Brazil is the world's 2nd largest beef exporter, but their quickly advancing economy has adverse impacts on the environment: 60-70% of deforestation in the Amazon in Brazil result from cattle ranching.
Pick your Furniture Wisely
Try not to purchase furniture and other products from threatened rainforest wood. Some examples of these wood are: mahogany, rosewood and ebony. Forests have to be logged in order to obtain these high quality wood. These will also open up new roads, which will allow access into previously inaccessible parts of the forest. This vicious cycle contributes to the long term deforestation.
Say no to Brazilian Beef
Brazil is the world's 2nd largest beef exporter, but their quickly advancing economy has adverse impacts on the environment: 60-70% of deforestation in the Amazon in Brazil result from cattle ranching.
Pick your Furniture Wisely
Try not to purchase furniture and other products from threatened rainforest wood. Some examples of these wood are: mahogany, rosewood and ebony. Forests have to be logged in order to obtain these high quality wood. These will also open up new roads, which will allow access into previously inaccessible parts of the forest. This vicious cycle contributes to the long term deforestation.
Pick your Furniture Wisely
Try not to purchase furniture and other products from threatened rainforest wood. Some examples of these wood are: mahogany, rosewood and ebony. Forests have to be logged in order to obtain these high quality wood. These will also open up new roads, which will allow access into previously inaccessible parts of the forest. This vicious cycle contributes to the long term deforestation.
Reduce your Paper Consumption
Logging companies chop down many parts of endangered forests to cope with our high paper consumption. One way we can reduce paper consumption is by using both sides of each piece of paper, use cloth napkins and towels, and avoid disposable paper plates and cups. Another way we can save the forests is by purchasing paper products products with the highest percentage of recycled content or even using tree-free paper alternatives, which are made from agricultural products like waste straw, so no trees are harmed in the process.
Reduce Oil Consumption
Climate change is mostly due to the burning of oil, gas and coal. However, this threatens our global stability, as scientists have predicted that global temperatures will rise up to 9°F if we continue with our current consumption of oil. This is alarming as it is a warming rate faster than that of the last 10 000 years. Furthermore, oIl exploration projects lead to massive deforestation, posing a threat to ecosystems and indigenous tribes in the forest. Since we have been causing such destruction to the environment, it is also our responsibility to save it. There are several ways in which we can reduce our oil consumption, such as carpooling, walking, cycling, taking public transport instead of driving.
Try not to purchase furniture and other products from threatened rainforest wood. Some examples of these wood are: mahogany, rosewood and ebony. Forests have to be logged in order to obtain these high quality wood. These will also open up new roads, which will allow access into previously inaccessible parts of the forest. This vicious cycle contributes to the long term deforestation.
Reduce your Paper Consumption
Logging companies chop down many parts of endangered forests to cope with our high paper consumption. One way we can reduce paper consumption is by using both sides of each piece of paper, use cloth napkins and towels, and avoid disposable paper plates and cups. Another way we can save the forests is by purchasing paper products products with the highest percentage of recycled content or even using tree-free paper alternatives, which are made from agricultural products like waste straw, so no trees are harmed in the process.
Reduce Oil Consumption
Climate change is mostly due to the burning of oil, gas and coal. However, this threatens our global stability, as scientists have predicted that global temperatures will rise up to 9°F if we continue with our current consumption of oil. This is alarming as it is a warming rate faster than that of the last 10 000 years. Furthermore, oIl exploration projects lead to massive deforestation, posing a threat to ecosystems and indigenous tribes in the forest. Since we have been causing such destruction to the environment, it is also our responsibility to save it. There are several ways in which we can reduce our oil consumption, such as carpooling, walking, cycling, taking public transport instead of driving.