Deforestation

Mr. Fletchers 6
th
Grade Geography
Deforestation
Definition: the clearing of trees,
transforming a forest into cleared
land
Deforestation in the Past:
One of the best know situations of deforestation occurred by the natives of Easter
Island.
The Rapanui were Polynesian sailors who explored and settled the Island around
1,200 A.D. The Rapanui cut down all of the trees on the island to build small boats,
shelters, and primarily to move giant stone heads they carved called Moai.
Without any trees on the island, the Rapanui became stranded without a consistent
food source. This helped lead to their extinction.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/the-mystery-of-easter-island-151285298/?all
Deforestation Today
From 2000-2012, the Earth lost 1.5 million square kilometers of forest (an
area the size of Mongolia).
In the year 2000, Brazil reported a loss of 40,000 square kilometers of the
Amazon Rainforest due to farming, mining, lumbering, urban sprawl, and
the search for other profitable resources.
Although Brazil has been slowing deforestation, the country still reported a
loss of 20,000 square kilometers in 2012.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-24950487
The Amazon Rainforest
The largest tropical rainforest on Earth
10% of known species live here
40,000 types of plants, 3,000 types of fish, 370 types of reptiles.
Produces a great deal of oxygen, medicines, minerals, timber, and many
other resources.
But this rainforest is in danger
http://www.worldwildlife.org/places/amazon
What should we do to save the Amazon
Rainforest?
Brainstorm ideas that could help us better protect the Amazon Rainforest.
You will have to write a one paragraph response on this issue on the quiz at
the end of this lesson.