Endangered Species - Causes

http://www.nationsonline.org/gallery/River_Amazon_rainforest.jpg

            
(Amazon Rainforest Boundary)

Deforestation - the action or process of clearing a forest and/or the state of the forest already having been cleared.  This means that people are cutting down the trees and undergrowth that make up the rainforest.  The average rate of deforestation in the 1990s was 7,000 square miles per year.  More recent studies show a 40% jump from previous levels...YIKES!

(Blue-fronted amazon eating fruits)

Unsustainable Farming - many migrants were encouraged to move into the Amazon region and brought their farming techniques with them.  The tactics they use are not suited for the Amazon and productivity usually shows a sharp decrease after just three years, which ends up forcing migrants to shift to other areas, where the deforestation, forest burning and crop growing cycle is repeated, alongside soil degradation processes.

(Poison Dart Frog - Amazonian forests, South America)

Soybean Farming and Cattle Ranching - these are among the most critical causes of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon.  Major road projects are providing channels for poorly planned development and increased deforestation in newly opened areas of the Amazon.  

(Black-capped or Tufted Capuchin - Brazil)

Other forms of destruction that have brought serious consequences to the region include floods caused by the construction of river dams for hydro-electrical power as well as mining that contributes to soil erosion and water contamination with toxic chemicals, such as mercury.  Oil and gas exploration and the construction of pipelines also pose potentially serious threats to the region.

(Peters' Dwarf Frog - Brazil)

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