Causes of Tropical Deforestation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Causes of Tropical Deforestation - Essay Example From the  Ã‚   factors  Ã‚   above, small-holder agriculture comprises 35 – 40%, thus, holding the biggest share. Cattle pasture comes  Ã‚   next while large-scale agriculture cops the fourth spot. It is obvious   that   agricultural activities vastly contribute to deforestation.  Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon (   2000 – 2005)   Cattle  Ã‚   ranching  Ã‚   is  Ã‚   the top cause of deforestation. Small-scale agriculture is followed by large-scale agriculture. Logging along  Ã‚   with other causes round up the list with 1 – 3%.   Although logging results in degradation rather than deforestation, it is often followed by clearing for agriculture.   The 1980s saw 80% of deforested land ultimately converted for extensive agriculture which was lessened by 20% by the 90s. The decrease in the figures could account for less space that can be used for agricultural purposes since companies could have taken over the operations of large-sca le agriculture. It is also a probability that when world price of beef increased, the demand   lessened; thus, volume of cattle grazing on lands decreased that resulted to slower deforestation .Tropical Deforestation by Region, 1990 – 2000, & 2000 – 2005   South America lost the most number of hectares to deforestation. From   1990 – 2000, the region has lost more than 3,500 hectares per year. Deforestation  Ã‚   slowed down between  Ã‚   2000 – 2005. This meant that population has grown and urbanization has sped the deforestation. Africa suffers the second worst with 3,600 hectares of land lost to deforestation per year in the period 1990 – 2000.