PEOPLE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Managing Rain Forests More than 13 percent of the Amazon rain forest has been destroyed for roads, settlements, and mining.  Deforestation threatens the lifestyles of indigenous people and risks the extinction of many species of plants and animals that grow or live nowhere else. Latin American rain forests are gradually disappearing. 

Causes of Deforestation The most direct causes of deforestation include: – logging –the conversion of forested lands for agriculture –cattle-raising –urbanization –mining and oil exploitation –acid rain and fire

Managing Rain Forests (cont.) Brazil and other rain forest countries are working to provide for the needs of their populations–living space and natural resources–without further destroying the rain forest. As the rain forest is depleted, there are fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is increasingly trapping more heat in the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. 

Farms and Ranches Versus Forests Slash-and-burn farming–clearing land by cutting and burning vegetation– results in depleted soil that can be used for only a year or two.  Farmers and ranchers then move on and clear more land. Managing Rain Forests (cont.)

Brazil has set aside about 10 percent of its Amazon rain forest for national forests or parks in which logging is banned.  Citizens in Costa Rica are working to conserve their forests, as well.  Reforestation, along with new farming, mining, and logging methods can protect the forests. Planting for the Future Commercial logging operations also destroy the rain forest.  Managing Rain Forests (cont.)