Human environment interaction Latin America Unit

Agriculture To clear fields, native peoples used the slash and burn technique which was where they cut trees, brush, and grasses and burned the debris in order to clear the field These same methods are still used today Problems: The soil is exhausted and the nutrients are gone so they must move onto to a new patch and start the process over again

Rain forest It’s vegetation helps to clean the earth’s atmosphere, regulate the climate, and shelter several million species of plants, insects, and other wildlife Scientists have just begun to investigate and understand the rainforest’s biodiversity – its wide range of plant and animal species

Deforestation At the end of the 20th century, nearly 50 million acres of rain forest worldwide were being destroyed every year Deforestation – cutting down and clearing away of trees Global warming or climate change has been blamed on the destruction of the rain forests The rain forests are home to an estimated 50% of the world’s plant and animal species

Agriculture Terraced farming is an ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes Farmers and workers cut step- like horizontal fields into hillsides and slopes, which allow steep land to be cultivated for crops This technique reduces soil erosion

Urbanization Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are the most highly urbanized countries in South America People move to the cities in the hope of improving their lives The most populous city in Latin America is Mexico City Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Urbanization Similar problems afflict cities throughout the region Slums Increase in unemployment and crime Increase in air pollution Shortage of drinkable water Local governments cannot support Infrastructure – sewers, transportation, electricity, and housing

Advantages of TOURISM Resorts and the activities that they offer provide jobs for the local residents and raise incomes With the creation of jobs, tourism can play a part in reducing the income gap between rich and poor

Disadvantages of Tourism As resorts are built in previously unspoiled settings, congestion occurs and pollution increases The gap between rich tourists and less well-off local residents has produced resentment and hostility in some places Local governments can run up large public debts by borrowing money to build tourist facilities

A solution to a problem Pick one of the problems we discussed today ( slash and burn agriculture, deforestation, urbanization, or tourism) Write a one paragraph solution for the problem You need to include: a description of your solution how and why you think it will help