Deforestation: A Global Issue
What is Deforestation?
Deforestation is the intentional destruction or removal of trees and vegetation.
Humans are destroying rainforests in order to gain wood because of its high demand and for its arable land or fertile land used to grow crops. Deforestation is mostly a problem in South America, where the largest rainforest, the Amazon, is located.
Humans are destroying rainforests in order to gain wood because of its high demand and for its arable land or fertile land used to grow crops. Deforestation is mostly a problem in South America, where the largest rainforest, the Amazon, is located.
The Effect on Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
Although red-eyed tree frogs are not endangered, their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate due to deforestation.
The Rain Forests
Rain forests are among the most important and yet threatened ecosystems on the planet. Rain forests that once covered over 14 percent of the land on Earth now only cover about 6 percent. Once rain forests are gone, the land becomes less fertile, and the soil washes away. More than 200,000 acres are burned everyday, which comes to more than 150 acres lost every minute, and 78 million each year. Just the Amazon is being destroyed at a rate of 20,000 square miles per year. The world's rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years at the current rate of deforestation.
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The Effects of Deforestation
- loss of habitat for millions of species (70% of Earth's animals and plants live in forests)
- climate change
- larger amount of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere
- forest lands become barren deserts
- air and water pollution
- soil erosion
- malaria epidemics
- loss of biodiversity
- less rain and oxygen
- increased threat of global warming
Statitics
South America, one of the homes to the red-eyed tree frog, is one of the continents that is most effected by deforestation. Red-eyed tree frogs are not endangered, but could be in the future.
Benefits of the Rainforest
- Rainforests are the world's greatest natural resource
- It provides most of the world's oxygen.
- Also allows for more rain on Earth.
- It may hold the key to treat serious diseases like cancer or Alzheimer's.
Works Cited
Blythe, Stephen. "Threats to the Rainforests." Threats to the Rainforests. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2013. <http://www.rainforesteducation.com/life/threats/threats.htm>.
"The Importance of Rainforests | Benefits to the Planet." The Importance of Rainforests | Benefits to the Planet. Replanting the Rainforests, 7 Apr. 2009. Web. 05 May 2013. <http://replantingtherainforests.org/site/index.php/Benefits-to-the-Planet/the-importance-of-rainforests.html>.
"Deforestation." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 04 May 2013. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/>.
"Rain Forest Threats." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 04 May 2013. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-threats/>.