Deforestation In Bolivia
Bolivia has one of the highest deforestation rates in South America, second only to Brazil. This effect is seen particularly in eastern Bolivia where the interregional effects of Brazilian policy and infrastructure can easily be felt across the border. Bolivia, as well as other regions in the Amazon are largely inhabited by a wide variety of indigenous cultures that depend on the natural resources of a region for their livelihood and existence. The largest factor in rapid deforestation and desertification of natural resources in Bolivia is the interference of national and international entities in the politics and production of resources at the local and regional level. There are four important social groups, which can then be explained in
…show more content…
Small scale slash and burn tactics are often used by non-mechnized indigenous cultures in the effort to support their families in a subsistence lifestyle. Commercial and large scale deforestation is often caused by the migratory phenomenon and the creation of road networks. Some colonies are formed by government and state, but more frequently spontaneous settlements are created along highway corridors. Bolivia contains over 36,900 species of mammals alone. Recent scientific research of the eastern range of Bolivia projects that there remain over 20 species as yet uncovered by science. These species are often not unknown to the local indigenous cultures who have been sustainably managing both forested regions and grasslands for the span of untold generations. The cause of deforestation in Bolivia is “the result of many pressures, both local and regional, acting in various combinations in different geographical …show more content…
All of these crops are highly mechanized and require large amounts of water, fuel, fertilizer, machinery, and infrastructure to cultivate and harvest. Many Bolivians forgo owning either cars or trucks and instead will lease the services upon necessity. Often they will own tractors but eschew modern rubber wheels in favor of traditional steel wheels which compact soil and often lower farming efficiency. Many Bolivian farmers are slow to adopt new technology which causes a noted lag in productivity and efficiency as they fall behind modern farming
Small scale slash and burn tactics are often used by non-mechnized indigenous cultures in the effort to support their families in a subsistence lifestyle. Commercial and large scale deforestation is often caused by the migratory phenomenon and the creation of road networks. Some colonies are formed by government and state, but more frequently spontaneous settlements are created along highway corridors. Bolivia contains over 36,900 species of mammals alone. Recent scientific research of the eastern range of Bolivia projects that there remain over 20 species as yet uncovered by science. These species are often not unknown to the local indigenous cultures who have been sustainably managing both forested regions and grasslands for the span of untold generations. The cause of deforestation in Bolivia is “the result of many pressures, both local and regional, acting in various combinations in different geographical …show more content…
All of these crops are highly mechanized and require large amounts of water, fuel, fertilizer, machinery, and infrastructure to cultivate and harvest. Many Bolivians forgo owning either cars or trucks and instead will lease the services upon necessity. Often they will own tractors but eschew modern rubber wheels in favor of traditional steel wheels which compact soil and often lower farming efficiency. Many Bolivian farmers are slow to adopt new technology which causes a noted lag in productivity and efficiency as they fall behind modern farming