Illegal Logging

Photo courtsey of planetsave.com/blog/2008/11/

Logging is one of the most prominent and well-known forms of deforestation in the Amazon. While there are many logging techniques and international awareness, logging is still illegally practiced. According to mongabay.com, in the 1990s the Asian logging companies began aggressively moving into rain forest areas, after going through the country’s own timber stocks. In China there is a need for wood, due to a construction demand. The country has recently invaded Africa, the Amazon, Burma, and Indonesia for logging purposes.

Brazil has enforced more authority to try to prevent future illegal logging; however the country does not have enough law enforcement. Not only is logging damaging to the area under destruction, but the areas surrounding are damaged. Wildlife and plants are destroyed mostly due to logging roads. Corruption is also a main concern with logging. The corrupt officials make the existing forestry laws unenforceable, and have consideration for the environment or the locals. Research has found a high correlation between logging roads and consumption of bushmeat. Bushmeat are wild animals that are hunted as food and sold illegally.

Not only are trees being cut down for wood, but selective trees, usually endangered tree species, as well. Loggers will only take one or two valuable tree species from an area. A study conducted by scientists from The Carnegie Institution at Stanford University determined that selective logging creates twice as much damage. A single tree that is cut down can bring down dozens of surrounding trees, because of vines connecting the group. Trees also protect bottom level organisms with their canopies.

Brazil is working toward increasing the monitoring of logging in the rain forest and raising fines for those caught illegally cutting trees. According to the Greenpeace website, environment minister Marina Silva said the country will hire 100 forest engineers to oversee logging and agricultural projects in the Amazon region, after firing 84 earlier this year on corruption related charges.