HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST: DEFORESTATION
The main contribution we have made to the destruction of the rainforest is deforestation, the cutting down of trees for lumber. We have taken advantage of the abundance of lumber available in the rainforest but have yet to take in account the effect on the animals. Most animal in the forest, in one way or another, are affected by the absence of trees. Even if an organism does not relate to the trees itself, chances are its prey could be associated with it. All we think about is the economic gain of using the trees and not about how the forest is shelter for many animals. Animal reserves are okay, but do not replace the animal's natural habitat. Imagine how we would react if someone ripped down our homes without our permission and moved us to a hotel. Sure, it is shelter, but it does not compare to our old homes.
People can do simple things to avoid contributing to deforestation. Avoiding foods that contain palm oil can knock out a solid portion of the deforestation occurring today. Because foods with palm oil in them are in high demand, we drop the demand by not eating them, eventually causing less cutting down of trees with palm oil. Choosing our furniture wisely can drop the harm done to the forest as well. Woods like mahogany, ebony, and rosewood can easily be avoided for options like bamboo, maple, and pine, with no harm to the rainforest. You can even buy an acre of the rainforest so that it cannot be used for logging!
It's not just all to the fault of humans, though. The climate has changed and the rainforest has been receiving significantly less rain, causing a near-drought. This makes trees get less nutrients and inevitably die in the long run anyway. Pollution has also effected the rainforest, both water and air. Air pollution has been caused by the use of gas-powered machinery for deforestation sending toxic chemicals into the air. Acid rain allows the chemicals to soak into the soil, used to nurish the wildlife in the rainforest.
People can do simple things to avoid contributing to deforestation. Avoiding foods that contain palm oil can knock out a solid portion of the deforestation occurring today. Because foods with palm oil in them are in high demand, we drop the demand by not eating them, eventually causing less cutting down of trees with palm oil. Choosing our furniture wisely can drop the harm done to the forest as well. Woods like mahogany, ebony, and rosewood can easily be avoided for options like bamboo, maple, and pine, with no harm to the rainforest. You can even buy an acre of the rainforest so that it cannot be used for logging!
It's not just all to the fault of humans, though. The climate has changed and the rainforest has been receiving significantly less rain, causing a near-drought. This makes trees get less nutrients and inevitably die in the long run anyway. Pollution has also effected the rainforest, both water and air. Air pollution has been caused by the use of gas-powered machinery for deforestation sending toxic chemicals into the air. Acid rain allows the chemicals to soak into the soil, used to nurish the wildlife in the rainforest.