Land use conflict in the amazon rainforest

Introduction Land use conflict Many groups argue about how to use the land in the rainforest

Geographic Setting More than 2 million square miles

Layers of the ecosystem

Concern over the rainforest Lungs of the earth Carbon-oxygen cycle

Native Amazonians Traditional living New skills Hunt and fish Grow crops on small plots of land New skills Speak Portuguese Work with the Brazilian government and legal system

Rubber Tappers “tap” or collect sap from the rubber trees that grow in the rainforest Process Make diagonal cuts in the bark and collect the sap in cups Reserves are set aside for sustainable activities like rubber tapping

Loggers Valuable trees Clear-cutting Roads Economic impact Mahogany and rosewood Furniture makers Clear-cutting Takes a long time for trees to grow back Roads Allow settlers to claim the land for farming and ranching Economic impact Creates jobs, provides wood for furniture factories and paper mills In 2005, brazil exported more than $5 bil worth of wood

Settlers Land sharing Poor land No land Unequal Wealthy families own the best, millions of poor Brazilians own no land Poor land Poor in nutrients because of constant rainfall No land Need the rainforest land to feed their families

Cattle ranchers Loggers clear the land Raising food Becomes grasslands Raising food Earning money as an important economic activity

Environmentalists Study the rainforest plants and animals Work with native people 2.5 acre patch of rainforest supports: 1,500 kinds of flowering plants 750 kinds of trees 125 species of mammals 400 kinds of birds In 2000 environmentalists were able to block a law that would allow ranchers to clear rainforests without restrictions In 2004 the government created two large reserves

Reducing land conflict Promote ecotourism Grow crops that don’t require large areas to be cleared Coffee Support sustainable development

What native Amazonians want

What rubber tappers want

What loggers want

What settlers want

What cattle ranchers want

What environmental groups want