Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14 th Edition Chapter 11 Section 6 Tropical Deforestation Ben Ruiz & Ashley Santiago G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14 th Edition Chapter 11 Section 6 Tropical Deforestation Ben Ruiz & Ashley Santiago

Tropical Forests Tropical forests cover about 6% of the Earth’s land. Located in areas such as Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Australia. More than half of the world’s species of terrestrial plants and animals live in tropical forests. Rich in biodiversity and natural resources. Tropical forests cover about 6% of the Earth’s land. Located in areas such as Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Australia. More than half of the world’s species of terrestrial plants and animals live in tropical forests. Rich in biodiversity and natural resources.

Tropical Deforestation Destruction occurring since 1950 cut the size of tropical forests by half. Satellite cans and ground-level surveys estimate most of the deforestation is being done in parts of South America (especially Brazil), Africa, and Asia. Destruction occurring since 1950 cut the size of tropical forests by half. Satellite cans and ground-level surveys estimate most of the deforestation is being done in parts of South America (especially Brazil), Africa, and Asia.

Tropical Deforestation: Consequences Loss of biodiversity Loss of resources (e.g., medicines) Contributes to global warming

Tropical Deforestation: Loss Of Biodiversity Tropical Frogs Plants The island with the greatest number of unique species is Madagascar

Tropical Deforestation: Loss Of Resources Tropical forest plants provide chemical blueprints for most of the world’s prescription drugs. Tropical frogs provide a new class of antibiotics, a strong painkiller, and a growth hormone useful in cancer detection

Medicines Retrieved From These Plants Fig pg. 211

Tropical Deforestation: Global Warming Cutting these forests faster than they can grow back contributes to global warming Storehouses for huge quantities of carbon, which are released into the atmosphere when cut down

Tropical Deforestation: Causes Cash crops -coffee, tea, spices, cocoa beans Oil drilling/mining Urbanization -roads and dams Economic services

Tropical Deforestation: Resources Retrieved Hardwood -Harvested from tropical rain forests Gums of forest trees -Adhesives, drugs, perfumes Natural latex gloves -Harvested from tropical rain forests Food -indigenous cultures get food through use of hunting, gathering, trapping, and planting.

Tropical Deforestation: Causes Fig p. 212

Reducing Tropical Deforestation Reducing poverty and population growth Sustainable tropical agriculture Encourage protection of large areas Debt-for-nature swaps Reduce illegal cutting

Costa Rica: Protecting and Preserving Its Land Protects its rainforest through the collaboration of local communities, tourists, and conservation organizations A forest reserve in Costa Rica

Fig pg. 213