Human threats to tropical rainforests.
The main reasons for humans destroying tropical rainforests are mostly economic. More than half of the Earth’s rainforests have already been lost forever to the uncontrollable human demand for wood and farmable land. Rain forests that once grew over 14 percent of the land on Earth now cover only about 6 percent. If deforestation rates continue, these habitats could disappear from the planet completely within the next hundred years.
There are two main human threats that destroy tropical rainforests. These are illegal logging and the conversion of forests to other land uses. Both of these pose substantial threats to the organisms and biodiversity of rainforest biomes.
There are two main human threats that destroy tropical rainforests. These are illegal logging and the conversion of forests to other land uses. Both of these pose substantial threats to the organisms and biodiversity of rainforest biomes.
Illegal Logging
Illegal logging is the harvesting, transporting, processing, buying or selling of timber in violation of national laws. It also applies to harvesting wood from protected areas and exporting threatened plant/tree species. The world’s huge demand for timber and paper products has led, in some places, to increasingly unsustainable forest management (removing too many trees too quickly or logging an entire forest).
Logging has and will continue to destroy and diminish the natural tropical rainforests of the world. Logging poses many threats to the tropical rainforest biome – logging destroys native animal habitats, which can lead on to the extinction of certain species as they do not have anywhere to live. Logging also destroys the trees and primary producers of the biome, which are essential things needed in the functioning of such a diverse biome like that of the tropical rainforest.
Illegal logging is the harvesting, transporting, processing, buying or selling of timber in violation of national laws. It also applies to harvesting wood from protected areas and exporting threatened plant/tree species. The world’s huge demand for timber and paper products has led, in some places, to increasingly unsustainable forest management (removing too many trees too quickly or logging an entire forest).
Logging has and will continue to destroy and diminish the natural tropical rainforests of the world. Logging poses many threats to the tropical rainforest biome – logging destroys native animal habitats, which can lead on to the extinction of certain species as they do not have anywhere to live. Logging also destroys the trees and primary producers of the biome, which are essential things needed in the functioning of such a diverse biome like that of the tropical rainforest.
Land Conversion
As humans evolve and grow in number, more land is needed for things such as housing, agriculture, and industries. The conversion of forests to other land uses comes at a severe environmental and social cost. This is due to the impacts of clearing and uncontrolled burning, as well as the disregard for the rights and interests of local indigenous communities.
Without significant changes to policies and practices, forest conversion is likely to continue at a rapid rate and pose a major threat to the climate, freshwater systems, and the habitats of endangered species. The loss of habitat also leads to increased interaction and conflict between wildlife and humans.
As humans evolve and grow in number, more land is needed for things such as housing, agriculture, and industries. The conversion of forests to other land uses comes at a severe environmental and social cost. This is due to the impacts of clearing and uncontrolled burning, as well as the disregard for the rights and interests of local indigenous communities.
Without significant changes to policies and practices, forest conversion is likely to continue at a rapid rate and pose a major threat to the climate, freshwater systems, and the habitats of endangered species. The loss of habitat also leads to increased interaction and conflict between wildlife and humans.