Geography 180
Physical Geography Research Paper
The Amazon rainforest is an influential piece of the world’s ecosystem and home to a diverse collection of plants and animals. The rainforest spans eights countries, containing 1.4 billion acres of forest (Symington 2024). Major countries covered by this area include Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. The Amazon is also rich in natural life, serving as home to 80% of the world’s species (Cesareo 2024). Unfortunately, this land and life that it supports is currently at risk due to the deforestation occurring in the area. By understanding the methods, causes, and impact of deforestation, one can gain better perspective on the importance of this geographical region and the efforts to protect this valuable biological resource.
Areas all over the world today are affected by deforestation. Already, half of the world’s tropical rainforests have been permanently cleared. An additional 18 million acres of rainforest are estimated to be lost each year worldwide (Szalay 2023). The term “deforestation” refers to this permanent destruction of forests so that the land can be put to use in other ways. The Amazon rainforest is the most affected of these locations. Most of the clearing is concentrated in what is called the “arc of deforestation.” (Fearnside 2023) The spots of cleared land making up the arc start from small clearings for small time farmers and become starting points for much larger clearings. The arc which spans along the south and southeast borders, account for 80% of clearing in the Amazon. It will continue to move and expand toward the center of the forest until there is nothing left.
There are many ways to tear down a forest and the fragile ecosystem it contains. The two most common methods are clear cutting and purposeful burning (Szalay 2023). Clear cutting refers to the simple act of cutting down the vegetation to a point of no return. It is a time consuming task that requires many men and hours of effort put forth. Because of this, many choose the other route to clear forests: burning. The burned ground is then able to be used for other needs. However, fire permanently alters the structure of the forest and its soil and water cycles (Cesareo). These changes abolish the chance for survival of ecosystems in that area along with the tribal communities in the surrounding areas. The Amazon is also in danger from natural disasters such as forest fires, changes in climate and other catastrophic events. These circumstances only account for a very small percentage of deforestation. For the most part, mankind is responsible of the destruction of the forests in return for personal gain.
There are numerous reasons for the demolition of the Amazon and other forests. If the forests are wiped by clear cutting, the trees are then used for logging. Highways that have been built into the forest make it easier to transport the wood out. The land that is cleared is also to make way for more roads in order to simplify the moving of goods and people. This is turn make deforestation easier to access. In some cases, only certain wood has commercial value. When only specific trees are cut, the disturbed area is then more vulnerable to forest fires (Fearnside 2023). The remaining land and tree stumps can then be burned so the land can be put to more use. The biggest reason for clearing the land is for cattle ranching and farming (Symington 2024). After the trees have been cut and evacuated and the remaining land is burned, farmers will typically use the soil to harvest a couple seasons of crops until the soil is too dried out to produce any more.
Cash crops such as soy beans ad palm oil are grown to accommodate the growing population. The soil will never be able to regain its fertility and is useless to farmers (Cesareo 2024). At this point, cattle ranchers then move in and use the barren land to hold cows. It is not just trees that are taken out of the forest. The land is also a source of other natural resources such as gold and oil. Once people were able to safely reach the Amazon River using roads, they were now able to fish large amount of the aquatic life to sell (Symington) 2024. Whether only parts of the forest are cleared out or whole sections, deforestation makes an impact on not only the ecosystem but the surrounding communities as well.
The destruction of the forests is beneficial to some. The businesses that cut down the trees and profit off the land from cattle ranching or farming obtain a substantial profit. The businesses pay no mind to the immediate and long term consequences of their actions. Money is made from the farming of lands uprooted with the help of very cheap labor by the populations in the area (Fearnside 2023). From the destruction of the trees, they are then able to built roads through the forest. These new roads aide in the transportation of other illegal products such as drugs and hunted animals. While few profit greatly from deforestation, many suffer even more because of it. Unfortunately, the many that suffer do not have a voice to defend themselves.
Those affected immediately from the destruction are the plants and animals residing in the forests. Rainforests in general contain a large number of diverse ecosystems. Different terrains house different habitats; Different niches in trees serve different populations. The Amazon in particular is home to 80% of known species of plants and animals on earth
(Cesareo) 2024). Every species is affected by the deforestation of this rainforest.
When trees are destroyed and living conditions are damaged, many animals have nowhere to go and eventually die. Sometimes small clusters of specific species live in only limited parts of the rainforest. Five miles of destroyed forest can easily wipe out a species. When loggers trim only certain trees in an area for profit, they leave the remaining space more open. This makes it easier for the animals to be hunted by predators and illegal poachers which can also severely cripple a population. The fragmentation of a region does just as much harm as completely wiping it out. A species’ niche is compromised and they become endanger of extinction from the severe loss of life.
Not only is the rainforest affected, the surrounding communities suffer from the eradication of this habitat. Over 30 million people, including more than 350 indigenous groups, live in the forest (Symington 2024). Many rely on the forest as a source of food. As areas are taken out, food becomes less available making it necessary for the lost land to be used for commercial agriculture. The vicious circle will continue until there is no farmable land left and no rainforest to compensate the loss. The forest also supplies an abundance of shelter from outside groups and Mother Nature (Symington) 2024). When trees are uprooted, water cycles are greatly affected. Instead of going back up into the trees, water now runs directly to the rivers and ocean (Szalay 2023). Rainfall, which is contained by the forest, is now lessened leading to drier terrain. Without the trees to hold the soil down, landslides occur, making ruins to the surrounding areas. Both of these events result in the loss of fertile land. Conclusion sentence
The health of the Amazon not only affects the surrounding areas, it also has a large impact globally. The largest impact is that of global warming. When the trees are cut down, they release either carbon dioxide or methane: two gases that cause a rise in global temperatures (Szalay 2023).
Because tropical rainforests hold more than 210 gigantons of carbon, their deforestation releases 15% of these greenhouse gasses (Cesareo). Not only does the gas emissions cause raised temperatures, they also are responsible for the higher frequency of extreme weather occurrences and overall changes in the planet’s weather and water cycles. The weather changes then affect forests elsewhere causing the same type of problems faced in the Amazon such as fewer resources and a decreased quality of life for plants, animals, and humans alike.
There are many organizations worldwide trying to fight the deforestation of the Amazon forest and other forests around the world. A big organization is the World Wildlife Fund (Symington) 2024). Their main concern is creating reserves in the forest that are legally untouchable from businesses. The forests would have set boundaries with legal papers written stating their protection (Fearnside 2023). Only licensed personnel would be able to access it and those without proper clearance would be fined. A big part of enforcing these areas is up to the local government. Unfortunately, the areas would still need to be heavily guarded because the companies in charge of the logging rarely follow the rules. Although it is time-consuming and seemingly unprofitable in the present, the protection of the forest is vital for the well-being of not only the surrounding areas, but globally as well.
Unless something is done to preserve the Amazon, the future of this forest looks bleak.There are currently 150 million acres of legally protected forest (Symington 2023). Conservation areas which are not legally protected still only cover about 10% of the forest. Scientists predict that by the year 2030, 90% of forests around the globe will be removed (Hogan 2011). This will also result in the extinction of many plants and animals.
Deforestation is a major concern globally. The deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest in particular is troublesome. As the world’s largest forest, it contains an extraordinary range of plant and animal species. As the forest is taken down by either clear cutting or burning, these unique species are dying out. The indigenous people in the surrounding areas have to face tainted water sources and unrecoverable soil. Many lose the basic necessities such as food and shelter. The short term monetary profit from the destruction seems to outweigh the long term environmental gain of conservation. In the end, Governments around the world are trying to retain the wildlife as best as possible. However, their lack of enthusiasm and funds makes for a lousy effort. The more pressure that is put on governments around the world to fight this destruction, the better chance generations to come will have clean, fresh air in a manageable climate. Not to mention all of the life forms that will be saved.
The Arc of Deforestation:
Before and After of the Amazon Rainforest:
Bibliography
Cesareo, Kerry. “Deforestation: Threats.” WorldWildlife.org. Accessed September 22, 2024.
Fearnside, P. “Deforestation in Amazonia.” The Encyclopedia of Earth. April 5, 2023.
Hogan, C. “Deforestation.” The Encyclopedia of Earth. November 10, 2011.
Symington, Margaret. “Amazon.” WorldWildlife.org. Accessed September 22, 2024.
Szalay, Jessie. “Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects.” LiveScience. March 6, 2023.