|
The Neotropics: Home to More Rainforest Than Anywhere Else on Earth ... But For How Much Longer?
The epicenter of the world’s rainforests is at the Equator, the navigational line that divides the Earth in two. From the Equator, rainforests are found north to the Tropic of Cancer and south to the Tropic of Capricorn. Once, forests cloaked this entire area, like a verdant sash around the globe -- some six billion acres of virtually unbroken forest, filled with life. Today, less than half, or 2.5 billion acres, remain in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
The Neotropics -- Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean -- hold the greatest amount of standing forests. These wooded wildlands are scattered in a mosaic of green that together add up to some 1.37 million acres, with the largest intact forest located in the Amazon River Basin of South America. The forests of the Neotropics are the habitat for tens of thousands of plant and wildlife species -- most of which have yet to be identified by scientists -- and thousands of indigenous people who depend on rainforests for shelter, sustenance, and spirituality.
Typical logging practices in the tropics damage much of the forest though only removing a few, valuable trees.
(© Chris Wille)
|
|
But in addition to holding more rainforests than anywhere else on the planet, the Neotropics also suffers from some of the world’s highest rates of deforestation. The region lost nearly 10 percent of its forests between 1980 and 1995 alone, and it continues to lose at least 13 million acres of forest annually. Most of the loss occurs when forests are destroyed in order to use the land for agriculture and cattle grazing, even though much of the deforested land is inappropriate for farming or ranching.
Timber extraction by local and foreign companies as well as out-of-control forest fires have also greatly contributed to forest loss in the Neotropics over the past decade. Mining and construction of roads, dams, and buildings are also major engines of forest eradication. Meanwhile, human population growth contributes to the demand for more land and infrastructure -- the populations of most Neotropical countries will double in 25 years.
Deforestation in the Neotropics, and elsewhere in the world, is also driven by inequitable land tenure systems and poverty that push large numbers of landless people into wildlands in order to survive. They cut trees in order to plant crops, build homes, and because they need firewood, the only fuel they can afford. Seeking a quick fix to urban overcrowding and lack of employment, governments often encourage road building and farming settlements in remaining forest areas. But pushing the frontier is not a solution. Once the trees are gone, the nutrient-poor soils usually yield just a few year’s worth of crops, and the pioneers often find themselves worse off than before.
The actions of consumers, governments, and businesses outside of the Neotropics can also cause rainforests to fall. Skewed trade policies and global markets that undervalue forests, irresponsible multinational companies that take advantage of cash-strapped governments and politically weak local communities, consumers who demand cheap products no matter what the environmental cost -- all of these factors contribute to deforestation.
Fortunately, there are many brave and dedicated people searching for solutions to all these problems. The Rainforest Alliance applauds the boldness, creativity, and determination of our Allies in the Rainforest, as they work to overcome often daunting challenges in their efforts to conserve their nations’ glorious and valuable tropical forests.
 |
Become an Ally in the Rainforest
Help Save Tropical Forests |
Learn about the Rainforest Alliance's partner organizations that are doing something to stop the destruction of tropical forests.
Allies in the Rainforest
About | Frequently Asked Questions
Fundraising Ideas | Donation Form
Recent Donors | Success Stories
Back to Conservation Programs
Search | Site Map | Home
Contact the Rainforest Alliance: canopy@ra.org
|
|
