Travel in Latin America
There is no doubt that the tropical rainforests of the world are in danger. Every hour approximately six species of life in our tropical rainforests are destroyed. Experts agree that the number one cause of extinction in the tropical rainforest is due to the destruction of the tropical rainforest environment.
In the tropical rainforest, logging, cattle ranching, mining, oil extraction, hydroelectric dams and subsistence farming are the leading causes of destruction. Other factors, like development and the consumers of industrialized nations have lead to further destruction of the tropical rainforests of the world.
Tropical rainforests are vitally important to the Earth and its people. Fifty to seventy percent of all life forms live in tropical rainforests. The tropical rainforests are also the oldest, most complex, richest and most productive ecosystem on the Earth. Over 200 million indigenous people depend directly on the survival of the tropical rainforest. The tropical rainforest also provides invaluable resources for studying animal behavior and plant development. Plants and animals in tropical rainforest environments live in delicate balance with one another and destroying the ecosystem interrupts this balance.
In addition, tropical rainforests are also an important part of the global weather system. When tropical rainforests are destroyed, the water cycles in that part of the world are altered. The result is drought, flooding and soil erosion in areas where the rainforests used to stand. This also affects the wind and ocean current patterns as rainfall distribution changes. Cutting down tropical rainforests has a profound ecological impact.
These statistics make the destruction rates even more devastating. In 37 years, at current deforestation rates, there will be no more tropical rainforests on Earth. Preservation and restoration of the tropical rainforests of the world is essential and imperative. Tropical forest reforestation is being addressed in countries like Costa Rica, where forests had previously been cut down for commercial purposes. With planning and effort, individuals and corporations can save the tropical rainforests.