The Roots And Consequences Of Deforestation In The Amazon

December 6, 2008 | 1,213 views
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Located in the northern part of South America, the Amazon is shared by nine different countries; and one of which is Brazil. Its vast landmark stretches out to almost 60% of the Brazilian lands. Full and rich of 120 feet tall trees, and equipped with species both known and unknown to man, the Amazon forest is a home to both the human race and the animal kingdom.

It also does much in the absorption of carbon dioxide and is the largest contributor to the prevention of greenhouse gases accumulating in the surfaces of our atmosphere. However, with the rising rate of deforestation in the Amazon, the world can be cupped in fatal hands.

Imagine how the trends would run if the Amazon forest dies? Its accumulated carbon dioxide will eventually be exhausted back to the air; and the abrupt negative changes of greenhouse effect will likely take place. Our wildlife resources would soon be depleted and the biggest source of natural life would undoubtedly come to an end.

The Roots Of Deforestation In The Amazon

Annually, gigantic land areas of the Amazon forest are being destroyed for the sole purpose of agricultural use; and the main culprits are underprivileged farmers and huge companies. Clearing smaller areas of the forest is a form of feeding the impoverished population while larger tracts are being emptied for the conversion of forest areas to soybean vegetation. Statistically speaking, these companies would reach heights up to the level of the American Midwest soybean plantation; and they would gradually be covering the entire Amazon if not stopped.

Logging is also one of the leading causes of barren areas in the Amazon. Local people depend on wood for building small houses and generating fire. These actions do not do much damage to the forest since the needed raw materials are only small in quantity. However, with large corporations leading the way, and with the massive demand for timber, the Amazon forest would undoubtedly be depleted of its sources. The chances of recovering after an “attack” are therefore lessened. Also, wildlife grazing over these forests cannot adapt to the change thereby leading to extinction. One wrong move of the humans can cause enormous and drastic changes over the environment.

The Outcomes of Deforestation In The Amazon

The forest is the home of many living creatures; it is also the source of many human essential needs. If the vast lands of the Amazon forest will vanish, the world will be deprived of a balanced ecosystem, and this interruption would result to the following: homes of thousands of plants and animals will be destroyed, the world’s climate will change, human sources of medicine and food will be terminated.

Humans will no longer be protected against catastrophes such as flood, erosion and drought, tribal people will lose their habitat, and lastly, there would be no nice and natural forests to explore in.

The future is truly hard to see and predict. It takes a while to convince and drive people to change. Perhaps, with the ongoing rise of deforestation in the Amazon, it isn’t unlikely for the world to fall into pieces with just a snap of our fingers.

It is definitely hard to appreciate something while it’s still there. Remember, regrets usually come last. So even before nature backfires on us, we must strive to become the leaders to change.