Leading Factors of Deforestation of the Amazon
Why is Deforestion Happening?
Deforestation is one of the most prominant issue relating to the Amazon. It is the second leading factor behind the burning of fossil fuels as a source of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Researchers believe that by halting and reversing land clearance in tropical forests could decrease global carbon emissions by approximatley 18 percent by 2030.
"Brazil, home to more tropical forest than any other country, reduced forest clearance by 80 percent from 2005 to 2012, dramatically lowering its emissions. Better monitoring of the forest, improved law enforcement, more efficient farming practices, and private-sector initiatives to halt the sale of goods cultivated on illegally deforested land helped bring down the rate of deforestation.
But deforestation in Brazil's Amazon has since increased, and in 2021, it reached a fifteen-year high. Individuals and companies continue to profit from clearing land and exploiting natural resources, and authorities are limited in their abilities to track and punish those who do so illegally."
To Learn More Click Here.Organizations
Although the rainforest is still being deforested today, many more are being educated about its loss. Currently, there are many organizations established to help provide efforts in restoring the Amazon Rainforest and preventing any further damage, whether it is through research, politics, or science. Some well-known organizations such as the Rainforest Trust, Amazon Conservation, Cool Earth, Rainforest Foundation, and the Amazon Conservation Team are all trying to accomplish the goal of helping improve the Amazon Rainforest situation.
Drivers of Forest Lost in Hectares
The table shown above indicates the driving forces of Amazon Rainforest lost in hectares. Based on the data, the main reason for land loss in the Amazon Rainforest is due to Commercial Crops. In the Amazon, millions of hectares had been cut down do to large scale crops such as soybean plantations. The detremental impacts of these soybean crops are leading to a decrease in transpiration, and thus affecting weather and climate. Using the land as crops also decreases the amount of nutrients in the soil and may dry the soil out. In addition, massive amounts of CO2 are being released as trees are being cut down.
| Year | Natural Disturbances | Pasture | Logging | Commercial Crops (e.g. soy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0 | 1.52 Million | 96,000 | 280,000 |
| 2004 | 22,000 | 2.56 Million | 131,000 | 747,000 |
| 2007 | 22,000 | 1.58 Million | 96,000 | 79,000 |
| 2010 | 44,000 | 616,000 | 114,000 | 100,000 |
| 2013 | 13,000 | 695,000 | 131,000 | 87,000 |