{"id":1919,"date":"2022-04-06T20:02:03","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T20:02:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/?p=1919"},"modified":"2022-04-21T12:52:52","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T12:52:52","slug":"deforestation-in-the-amazon-how-it-affects-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/deforestation-in-the-amazon-how-it-affects-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Deforestation in the Amazon: How It Affects Biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since 2021, deforestation in the Amazon has razed some 430,000 acres of rainforest. That is an area about 30 times larger than Manhattan in New York.<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This destruction is having a profound and catastrophic effect on the region\u2019s biodiversity.<\/p>\r\n

Forest loss: It’s not just about greenhouse gas emissions<\/h2>\r\n

Deforestation globally wipes out 137 species of plants, animals, and insects every day. Each year, a horrifying 50,000 species become extinct.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Many of these lifeforms die because of deforestation in the Amazon. The world\u2019s largest rainforest is home to a quarter of all terrestrial biodiversity in the world.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Cutting down its trees and converting the land degrades this important biome. It obliterates the habitat of countless species and pushes them towards extinction.<\/p>\r\n

\"Deforestation\"<\/p>\r\n

Why is the Amazon rainforest so biodiverse?<\/h2>\r\n

rainforest covers some 40 percent of the South American continent. Moreover, the area consists of \u201ca mosaic of ecosystems and vegetation types including rainforests, seasonal forests, deciduous forests, flooded forests, and savannas\u201d.<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This helps it to support a wide array of wildlife.<\/p>\r\n

What causes deforestation in the Amazon?<\/h2>\r\n

The expansion of agriculture causes about 80 percent of deforestation globally.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Deforestation in the Amazon is no different. Sadly, the vast majority of trees are cut down to make space for cattle ranching. Since 1978, one million square kilometers of the Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. More than 75 percent of the forest cleared since the 2000s has been for cattle ranching.<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

[\/efn_note] Almost 80 percent of all soybeans are fed to livestock. Soybean is mainly for beef, chicken, egg, and dairy production.<\/span>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Therefore, in the Amazon, demand for beef and dairy products is the principal cause of deforestation.<\/p>\r\n

Deforestation and UK supermarkets<\/h3>\r\n

Food businesses in the UK are aware that their supply chains may lead to deforestation in the Amazon. A group of major supermarkets and trade bodies, including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Sainsbury\u2019s, Tesco, and the British Retail Consortium, recently signed an open letter. It was sent to the Deputies and Senators of the National Congress of Brazil. The letter urges lawmakers not to pass a new legislative proposal, PL 510\/21.<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \"\" The new legislation undermines environmental protections on Amazon. The businesses threaten to boycott Brazilian products if they cannot ensure sustainable and ethical practices in the Brazilian agricultural supply chain. Many have commitments to prevent deforestation.<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> More action is needed from individuals, businesses, and governments to address the root causes behind deforestation in the Amazon and elsewhere.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Deforestation in the Amazon and the potential loss of new medicines<\/h2>\r\n

The world’s largest pharmacy<\/h3>\r\n

The incredible biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest makes it useful to humanity in many ways. For example, tropical rainforests have been referred to as the \u2018world\u2019s largest pharmacy\u2019. This is because over a quarter of all-natural medicines derive from them. Indeed, 25 percent of all prescription medications are made using various types of secondary metabolites from living organisms, mainly plants. Moreover, about 70 percent of the drugs today are models of natural products.<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Forest loss and medicine<\/h3>\r\n

Furthermore, at least 7,000 medical compounds prescribed by Western doctors are derived from plants. 70 percent of the 3,000 plants identified as having anti-cancer properties are endemic to the rainforest.<\/span>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span> We need Amazon to supply products for our existing pharmaceutical drugs. We may also find new cures and medicines amongst its flora.<\/p>\r\n

The loss of medicinal plants<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

However, deforestation in the Amazon risks the loss of new medicines. Just one percent of the known plant and animal species in tropical rainforests have been thoroughly examined for their medicinal properties.<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Many species that live in the Amazon are endangered. Others are still unknown.<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It is highly likely that more medicinal plants exist in the Amazon basin. But deforestation threatens to wipe them off the face of the planet before we can find their usefulness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Brazilian<\/p>\r\n

If deforestation in the Amazon continues, we will inevitably lose potential new medicines. Brazil has more than 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest within its borders.<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span> However, Brazilian tree felling in 2020 affected an area of 11,088 square kilometers. That represents an increase of 47 percent compared to 2018 and 9.5 percent compared to 2019. 2020 had the highest rate of deforestation in the decade.<\/span>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Losing plants before testing discovers beneficial properties is just one of the many downsides of deforestation.<\/p>\r\n

Animals that may go extinct due to deforestation in the Amazon<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Besides losing potential new medicines, deforestation in the Amazon is also wiping entire species of animals off the face of the planet. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)<\/a> assesses the status of about 130,000 species worldwide. In 2021, 38,000 of these species were threatened.<\/span>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span> That is nearly 30 per cent. Given the broad biodiversity of the Amazon, a large proportion of these creatures come from the rainforest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Deforestation<\/p>\r\n

Scientists agree that today\u2019s extinction rate is hundreds or thousands of times higher than the natural baseline rate.<\/span>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The destruction of habitats, food sources, and the damage done to complex ecosystems is fuelling this mass extinction, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. Here are just a few of the known species facing extinction thanks to deforestation.<\/p>\r\n

Blue poison dart frog<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Westerners only discovered this blue amphibian in 1969. Its name comes from Indigenous tribes who have used the frog\u2019s poison for millennia. They dip the tip of their blow darts in the poison and use it when hunting. The frog does not create its own poison. Instead, the blue poison dart frog obtains the toxins from eating highly poisonous ants.<\/span>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Unfortunately, deforestation in the Amazon has put this small frog on the endangered animals’ list. Urbanization and illegal collection for use in the pet trade are also declining its numbers. Now, the blue poison dart frog is only found in a small area of Suriname and a tiny zone in northern Brazil.<\/span>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

South American tapirs<\/h3>\r\n

The largest mammal in South America is the Baird\u2019s tapir. Three of the four species of tapir in the world live in the Amazon rainforest. All four are endangered or considered vulnerable. Scientists believe that five of the nine known species of tapirs are already extinct. This is because deforestation in the Amazon is destroying their habitat. Hunting tapirs for their meat is further depleting their numbers.<\/span>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Bald uakaris<\/h3>\r\n

Bald uakaris are a small species of monkey that reside exclusively in the Amazon basin. They are distinguishable for their bald heads and bright red faces.<\/span>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Their name is taken from the Uakari tribe that lived in the Amazon but has been driven to extinction.<\/span>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> As deforestation continues to destroy their natural environment, the likelihood that bald uakaris will follow their namesake into extinction increases.<\/span>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Pink-throated brilliant<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

The pink-throated brilliant is a hummingbird. It is found in the eastern foothills of the Andes in Ecuador, southern Colombia, and northern Peru. However, forests in its altitudinal range are being cleared for agriculture, including cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and mining operations, and logging.<\/span>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

More than 41 percent of the pink-throated brilliant\u2019s suitable habitat was under near-immediate threat in 2006. Therefore, its population is in decline, and IUCN has labeled it \u2018vulnerable\u2019. This rare bird is rarely seen in Ecuador or Peru. Soon, it may never be seen again.<\/span>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Jaguars<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Jaguars are the third-largest big cat in the world. They are the top predator in the Amazon rainforest. In fact, their territory once ranged from the US-Mexico border to the southernmost tip of South America. However, jaguars now only exist in the more remote parts of Central and South America, particularly in the Amazon.<\/span>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The IUCN gives jaguars a \u2018near threatened\u2019 status. This fierce predator requires large undisturbed tracts of habitat. Deforestation is leading to habitat fragmentation and human encroachment. Poachers and ranchers are also killing this rare feline. As a result, its numbers are in decline.<\/span>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Deforestation in the Amazon and biodiversity<\/h2>\r\n

This article mentions just a few animal species under threat of extinction because of deforestation in the Amazon. Yet, there are thousands of others, some still unknown to science. Deforestation in Brazil\u2019s rainforest is on the rise. As a result, plants, animals, birds, and insects are all at risk of being lost forever.<\/span>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Forest cover loss<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Forest cover is the percentage of land area\u00a0that is covered by\u00a0forests. In fact, forest cover is slowly decreasing in size every year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The true effects of this mass extinction are impossible to foretell. Each animal that dies to make space for agricultural expansion, logging, or mining projects is a minute tragedy. Every acre that disappears takes with it potential new medicines. There may be short-term economic gains when cutting down trees. But the long-term repercussions are likely to outweigh these temporary benefits many times over.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since 2021, deforestation in the Amazon has razed some 430,000 acres of rainforest. That is an area about 30 times larger than Manhattan in New York. This destruction is having a profound and catastrophic effect on the region\u2019s biodiversity. Forest loss: It’s not just about greenhouse gas emissions Deforestation globally wipes out 137 species of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1927,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1,27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nDeforestation in the Amazon: How It Affects Biodiversity - Climate Transform<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is wiping out countless species. 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