As I recall, at one time, rainforests covered 14% of the world. Today it is approximately 6%. Fires continue to be of greatest concern, as farmers will clear an area for ag. production which because of the soil is only good for one year for decent crop production. They then move on and repeat this cycle. The ranchers do the same thing, clearing huge areas for their cattle. The farmers historically have been one of the largest culprits, but they go unnoticed, and the blame is placed on the paper industry which in these controlled forest areas plants 2 trees for each one removed. Although the trees are replaced,
the ecosystem is molested and will take many years for it to stabilize as it once was. Timbering for hardwoods is a lessor problem, but a problem none the less.
The worst defenders are not the japanese, as they need permits, but instead brazilians themselves who move around...
i questioned this myself & questioned whether it was a 'distortion' (for lack of better word) of govt. sanctions imposed upon harvesting natural resources from the brazilian rainforest. my understanding was due to the mass destruction of the brazilian rainforest by timber companys, the worst offenders being the japanese, the brazilian
govt. imposed many restrictions & sanctions , as well as the green protocol, land reform act, etc. in an attempt to halt the destruction of the brazilian rainforest. suframa stats state up to 80% of timber harvested in the brazilian rainforest is done so illegally. |
