1A-Colonization

Colonization causes deforestation by farmers coming in for new land. They clear the understory shrubbery and then forest trees are cut. The area is left to dry for a few months then burned. The land is planted with crops like bananas, palms, manioc, maize, or rice. After a year or two, the productivity of the soil declines and the transient farmers press a little deeper and clear new forest for more short-term agricultural land. A significant amount of deforestation is caused by the subsistence activities of poor farmers who are encouraged to settle on forest lands by government land policies.

There are many species of plants and in the rainforest. A common estimate is that approximately half of the world's animal species live in rainforests. Another estimate is that 25 percent of the world's medicine is derived from rainforest plants. However due to deforestation populations in many speciesare dropping fast and many animals are becoming extinct. A couple of examples of animals affected by colonizatio n are Spider Monkeys and the Toucan.



Spider monkeys spend most of their time high up in the canopy where they can find fruits and seeds to eat. Colonization

is not only destroying the monkey's home but also their food source.

Toucans are found in the canopy layer of the rainforest as well. Toucans make their homes in holes in the trees. They lay white, glossy eggs once a year in their nests they make in the trees. The bill is used to squash the many kinds of fruit and berries he eats. Colonization of the rainforest takes the habitat, food source, and breeding place away from the Toucan's leaving them with no place to live.

In 1991 the Ecuadorian government gave the U.S. based oil company **Conoco** the right to begin Oil exploitation. Although the oil drilling process itself is horrible for the rainforest, it is not the worst. Along with the oil drilling came roads to get to them. From this farmers without land were able to travel into the forest and plot their own farm. After clearing the forest by burning and they would harvest on it until the soil was no longer usable, then move on to destroy more forest land. Although this wasn't the desired result of Conoco, it still happened because of them, and is happening in rainforests all over the world not just in Ecuador.

Colonization is rapidly wiping out many species as a cause of deforestation. A couple actions that can be carried out in order to prevent colonization are: clearing only small areas to enable the forest to recolonize easily afterwards and regular monitoring of the effects of our actions on the wildlife and environment.

An organization that helps to save the rainforest from colonization is the Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices and consumer behavior. If people do move into the forest, the Rainforest Alliance certification encourages farmers to grow crops and manage ranchlands sustainably.


 * by Jessica Richards and Olivia Cookfair**

Works Cited

"Spider Monkey." Learning about the Rainforest. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2011.   spidermonkeypage.html>.

"Toucans." Learning about the Rainforest. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2011.   toucanpage.html>.

Rainforest animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2011.  .

"Rainforest Deforestation." Effect of Deforestation. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May  2011.  rainforest-deforestation.php>.

Burningham, Lucy, et al. “Parque Nacional Yasuni.” Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 248. Google Books. Web. 25 May 2011. .

Rainforest Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2011. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <http://www.rainforest-alliance.org >.