Rainforest Deforestation
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Rainforest Deforestation
Theresa Mann
SCI/275
March 17, 2010
Rainforest Deforestation
“Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth’s land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years” (Taylor, p.1, para.1, 2005). Deforestation of rainforests is causing the loss of the planet’s greatest biological treasures. Every minute of every day, 150 acres of rainforest is lost. Many different issues cause rainforest deforestation. Understanding the impacts on the environment and the causes of rainforest deforestation is important before developing any solutions through a sustainability plan.
The biodiversity of the rainforest is immeasurable. Rainforests contain the largest collection of plant and animal species in the world. This biome may only occupy six percent of the Earth’s land surface, but half of the planet’s wild plants and wildlife inhabits these areas. That is more than half of 10 million species of insects, animals, and plants. Seven hundred and fifty different types of trees call the rainforest home (Taylor, 2005). “Experts estimate that we our losing 137 plant, animal, and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation” (Taylor, p.1, para.1, 2005).Many species are specialized to microhabitats, which makes them susceptible to extinction (Przyborski, 2010). Thousands of species are being destroyed before they have even been identified. The obliteration of the rainforest, more specifically the trees, cause climate and air problem.
The water cycle in the rainforest returns 30 % of the water as rainfall. In addition to sustaining the rainfall in the rainforest, the water cycle (the evaporation) also helps cool the Earth’s surface (Przyborski, 2010). Replacing the rainforest with pastures and crops will disrupt rainfall patterns and create hotter and drier climate. Models at NASA predict “that tropical deforestation will disrupt rainfall pattern...
Theresa Mann
SCI/275
March 17, 2010
Rainforest Deforestation
“Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth’s land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years” (Taylor, p.1, para.1, 2005). Deforestation of rainforests is causing the loss of the planet’s greatest biological treasures. Every minute of every day, 150 acres of rainforest is lost. Many different issues cause rainforest deforestation. Understanding the impacts on the environment and the causes of rainforest deforestation is important before developing any solutions through a sustainability plan.
The biodiversity of the rainforest is immeasurable. Rainforests contain the largest collection of plant and animal species in the world. This biome may only occupy six percent of the Earth’s land surface, but half of the planet’s wild plants and wildlife inhabits these areas. That is more than half of 10 million species of insects, animals, and plants. Seven hundred and fifty different types of trees call the rainforest home (Taylor, 2005). “Experts estimate that we our losing 137 plant, animal, and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation” (Taylor, p.1, para.1, 2005).Many species are specialized to microhabitats, which makes them susceptible to extinction (Przyborski, 2010). Thousands of species are being destroyed before they have even been identified. The obliteration of the rainforest, more specifically the trees, cause climate and air problem.
The water cycle in the rainforest returns 30 % of the water as rainfall. In addition to sustaining the rainfall in the rainforest, the water cycle (the evaporation) also helps cool the Earth’s surface (Przyborski, 2010). Replacing the rainforest with pastures and crops will disrupt rainfall patterns and create hotter and drier climate. Models at NASA predict “that tropical deforestation will disrupt rainfall pattern...