Amazon rainforest case study

logging in the amazon

Trees are felled for furniture and fuel and pulp for charcoal

what % of deforestation in the amazon is logging

3%

what % of deforestation in the amazon is cow farming

80%

mineral extraction in the amazon

Over 50,000 hectares are used for gold mining

energy development in the amazon

Water supply = for dams and hydroelectric power which flood areas

illegal wildlife trade in the amazon

Upsets the ecosystem balance and degrades it

commercial farming in the amazon

Large areas are cleared and not used for long

how much has forest clearings for crops gone up by from 1990 to 2010

double

road building in the amazon

roads are needed to transport equipment and products which allows for more access for deforestation

how long is the trans amazonian highway

4000km

settlements in the amazon

other causes need workers so areas are cleared for workers and families to live

global warming as a deforestation impact

Trees hold CO2 and less trees means more CO2 in the air. Fire is often used to clear parts, which releases carbon

loss of biodiversity as a deforestation impact

137 species lost daily means possible medicinal cures are lost

soil fertility and erosion as an impact of deforestation

When trees are removed, topsoil washes away and it is hard for other things to grow

river pollution as an impact of deforestation

Mercury used in mining ends up in rivers and poisons fish & people

decline of indigenous tribes in the amazon

Only 240 tribes left as people are displaced by development

conflicts in the amazon rainforest

Indigenous tribes vs developers and conservationists vs developers