Deforestation refers to the cutting, clearing, and removal of rainforest or related ecosystems into less bio-diverse ecosystems such as pasture, cropland, or plantations.
Deforestation rates stand at:
•2.4 acres (1 hectare) per second: equivalent to two football fields
•214,000 acres (86,000 hectares) per day: an area larger than New York City
•78 million acres (31 million hectares) per year: an area larger than Poland
•2.4 acres (1 hectare) per second: equivalent to two football fields
•214,000 acres (86,000 hectares) per day: an area larger than New York City
•78 million acres (31 million hectares) per year: an area larger than Poland
Overview of deforestation around the world:
•Central America has lost 50% of its rainforests. •South America has lost 70% of its rainforests. •The Philippines have lost 90% of its rainforests. •Madagascar has lost 95% of its rainforests •Sumatra has 15% of its rainforests left. •Only 6% of Central Africa's forests are protected by law. |
Why is this happening?
- Oil/gas extraction
- Cash crops e.g. palm oil, coffee
- Mining for manganese, tantalum, cassiterite, copper, tin, nickel, bauxite (aluminum ore), iron ore, gold, silver, and diamonds
- Cattle ranching
- Timber
- Housing and transport links as part of urban sprawl.