THREATS TO RAINFORESTS
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More
than half of Earth’s rain forests have already been lost forever to the
insatiable human demand for wood and arable land. Rain forests that once grew
over 14 percent of the land on Earth now cover only about 6 percent. And if
current deforestation rates continue, these critical biome could disappear from
the planet completely within the next hundred years.
The reasons for threatening tropical rain forests are mainly economic. Wealthy nations have a high demand for tropical timber, and cash-strapped governments often grant logging concessions at a fraction of the land’s true value. “Homesteader” policies also encourage citizens to clear-cut forests for farms. Sustainable logging and harvesting rather than clear-cutting are among the strategies key to halting rain forest loss.
Threats
The reasons for threatening tropical rain forests are mainly economic. Wealthy nations have a high demand for tropical timber, and cash-strapped governments often grant logging concessions at a fraction of the land’s true value. “Homesteader” policies also encourage citizens to clear-cut forests for farms. Sustainable logging and harvesting rather than clear-cutting are among the strategies key to halting rain forest loss.
Threats
- Logging interests cut down rain forest trees for timber used in flooring, furniture, and other items.
- Power plants and other industries cut and burn trees to generate electricity.
- The paper industry turns huge tracts of rain forest trees into pulp.
- The cattle industry uses slash-and-burn techniques to clear ranch land.
- Agricultural interests, particularly the soy industry, clear forests for cropland.
- Subsistence farmer’s slash-and-burn rain forest for firewood and to make room for crops and grazing lands.
- Mining operations clear forest to build roads and dig mines.
- Governments and industry clear-cut forests to make way for service and transit roads.