Loss of Biodiversity in the Amazon Case Study Summary-

It is often debated what the best use of the Amazon Rainforest is. Should it be used for
farming? Should it be used for logging? Or should it be preserved? Many will claim this land
should be used for its resources to help the people and the countries of South America grow
and expand. Many will also claim that the Amazon should be protected and preserved for future
generations. Despite what people want to happen to the Amazon, the Amazon Rainforest is
currently undergoing major deforestation as a result of farming and logging and it is causing a
major loss in biodiversity.
The main activities that are causing this loss in biodiversity are farming and logging.
Much of the farming that is being done is slash and burn agriculture because it is cheaper than
fertilizing old land. Logging is a major part of the loss of biodiversity because it destroys the land
that is logged, and seeks out rare species of trees. The demand for more agriculture in
countries like Brazil and the demand for rare tree species are the major factors causing the loss
of biodiversity in the Amazon.
This is a major global issue because 50% to 90% of the world’s species exist in the
tropics, with the largest amount living in the Amazon Rainforest. It is believed that at the current
rate of deforestation, the Amazon is losing 11-16 species per day and the ecosystems left
behind are highly degraded. The loss of biodiversity and the reduced sustainability has resulted
in surrounding ecosystems being more susceptible to loss of biodiversity.
Countries all around the world have started to notice the loss of rainforest and are
starting to come up with solutions. Foriegn countries are compensating South American
countries by paying them to protect the rainforest. This way, the countries can use the money to
help the farmers so the won’t have to destroy the rainforest. In a survey done in the case study,
it was found that Americans were willing to pay $21- $31 per hectare to protect the Amazon and
help the South American countries. It is believed by many experts that helping the countries
financially is the only proper way to help stop deforestation in the Amazon.
I believe one way we could stop deforestation in the Amazon would be to reduce our
reliance on cattle farming. This would reduce the need for cattle grazing land and reduce the
amount of land being deforested. Another way we could stop the deforestation and protect
biodiversity is to reduce the demand for rare tree species. Much of the Amazon is destroyed just
to get a few rare trees and that is bad for the environment. I believe that if the governments of
South America put policies into action and enforced them, the loss of the Amazon would
drastically decrease. Currently, governments all around the world are compensating the South
American governments with funding to protect the Amazon. These actions by world
governments are currently working ok, but further action needs to be taken to preserve
biodiversity in the Amazon.