Reasons for Deforestation

 

Reasons for Deforestation-Logging

One of the reasons for the deforestation in Costa Rica was the timber industry. It was not only the simple fact that logging companies were extracting the trees they needed, but they would cut a whole forest down even though they were looking for a select species of trees including mahogany and cedar. Also, in order to get to harvest the trees, the logging companies would take down areas of forest to make roads to transport the timber.

Reasons for Deforestation-Agriculture

Much of Costa Rica was also deforested as a result of clearing pastures for cattle to graze in. It has been estimated that 35.5 percent of Costa Rica’s land is grazed on by cattle. Many of the trees in Costa Rica were cleared as well in order to create banana and pineapple plantations. Costa Rica produced 13 percent of the world’s bananas between the years 2002 and 2006.

Reasons for Deforestation- Population

In 1955, Costa Rica had a population of 1,119,617. This year the population of Costa Rica is estimated to be 4,953,199. Due to this large increase in population, there is therefore a larger demand in food. So, farmers, as a result cleared more land in order to grow more crops to feed the growing population.

References 

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=250d5560fb62483b92dbf94b8db4c689

Video