Cattle Ranching in the Brazilian Amazon Essay - 2243 Words

Summary This policy memo addresses the development and expansion of the cattle ranching industry in Brazil, which has contributed to the mass deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon in the last 40 years. It exposes the regional and global consequences to deforestation and provides strategies for the Brazilian government to sustainably manage cattle ranching industries while protecting the future of the Amazon. The rainforest ecosystem is an immense reserve of natural recourses that is far more valuable than the beef produced on Brazilian cattle ranches. Not only does the rainforest create habitat for up to 65% of the world’s biodiversity, but when harvested sustainably, it provides humans with an abundance of spices, foods, oils, medicines†¦show more content†¦(Fearnside). SUDAM was a major direct and indirect force in the conversion of the rainforest to pastureland. It provided incentives directly to ranchers but also built new roads and highways to attract new investors (Pa ncheco). â€Å"SUDAM invested about a billion dollars in corporate ranches by 1978† (Pancheco). Yet, because of the low yield standard of Brazilian cattle ranches, many SUDAM supported ranches were either taken over or partially abandoned by the 1980’s (Pancheco). The low yields of Brazilian cattle ranches can be attributed to the soil and climate of the converted pastureland. The â€Å"high temperatures and heavy rains of the rain forest wash nutrients from the soil making it very thin† (NASA Lindsey). After slash and burn techniques are used to clear the forest, flooding and erosion sets in making it even less viable (NASA Lindsey). The converted forest is highly unsuited for many agricultural activities, including ranching. This leads to low yields and an overall lower economic gain for ranchers (Economist). Despite its expansion, cattle ranches are actually a low income and unfavorable market for Brazilians (ECONOMIST). In fact, many Brazilian ranchers do not make a viable profit from beef sales but rather, are involved in timber sales, money laundering, tax evasion, and other corruption crimes to earn a living (Fearnside). On the contrary, many law abiding Brazilians use their pastureland for animalShow MoreRelatedDeforestation O f The Amazon Rainforest833 Words   |  4 Pages David Alas ENF 111 11/01/15 The Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest I. Introduction A. The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most important natural features of our planet, crucial to our way of life. However, what Godfrey (1990) described as â€Å"one of the world’s last great settlement frontiers† is severely under threat. B. According to some experts, during the past 40 years close to 20 % of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed. 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