write up on the deforestation and pollution in South America
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Deforestation simply put means the removal of trees and forests, usually through cutting or burning. In South America, most deforestation takes place because of a need for agricultural land. There are three main types of deforestation that take place in these tropical regions.
In countries with poor economies, such as those in South America, people turn to agriculture to meet the everyday needs of living. Poor farmers then migrate to agricultural settlement areas, and cut down several acres of land to use for farming. They then burn the stumps to release the nutrients into the soil needed to grow crops. This is essential because in rainforests nearly all of the nutrients required to sustain life are found within the plants and trees, and not in the soil.
The process is called ‘Slash & Burn’ agriculture, and in poor countries, farming like this is the only way for people to survive – they raise crops to feed themselves and to sell to make money to live by. However, with no trees, the nutrients are soon washed away by rain. The causes of deforestation are mainly related to a competitive global economy, which forces poorer countries to use their only resources for money. This happens both locally and nationally. Locally, people use land for farming to make money, due to poverty and increasing populations. In Bolivia the average annual income is $800 as oppose to $26,980 in the U.S. Nationally, governments sell logging concessions to cover debts and develop industries. For example, in 1995, Brazil owed $159 Billion internationally. By selling their precious woods such as mahogany, they can attempt to pay back their debts and develop their won industries to generate wealth for the country.
In countries with poor economies, such as those in South America, people turn to agriculture to meet the everyday needs of living. Poor farmers then migrate to agricultural settlement areas, and cut down several acres of land to use for farming. They then burn the stumps to release the nutrients into the soil needed to grow crops. This is essential because in rainforests nearly all of the nutrients required to sustain life are found within the plants and trees, and not in the soil.
The process is called ‘Slash & Burn’ agriculture, and in poor countries, farming like this is the only way for people to survive – they raise crops to feed themselves and to sell to make money to live by. However, with no trees, the nutrients are soon washed away by rain. The causes of deforestation are mainly related to a competitive global economy, which forces poorer countries to use their only resources for money. This happens both locally and nationally. Locally, people use land for farming to make money, due to poverty and increasing populations. In Bolivia the average annual income is $800 as oppose to $26,980 in the U.S. Nationally, governments sell logging concessions to cover debts and develop industries. For example, in 1995, Brazil owed $159 Billion internationally. By selling their precious woods such as mahogany, they can attempt to pay back their debts and develop their won industries to generate wealth for the country.
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