Rio De Janeiro (Xinhua): The deforestation in the Amazon rainforest region has led to the extinction of 26 animal and plant species, a UN report said.
Another 644 species of animals and plants, including the red-faced spider monkey, the spectacled bear and the otter, were in danger of extinction, it said.
According to the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) report released on Wednesday, the region lost 17 percent of its forest, about 857,666 sq km, nearly equal to the territory of Venezuela, by 2005.
The deforestation in the region was still going on at an accelerated pace, it noted.
Internal and external factors led to the deforestation in each of the nine countries straddling the Amazon rainforest region, the report said.
Urbanisation, exploitation of natural resources and global warming adversely affected its ecological balance, UNEP said.
The report pointed out three key factors that will influence development of the region in the future: public policies, the market, and the development of new technologies.
7 Comments
March 4, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Sad..Animals are facing extinction..cuz to deforestation ..people should really forward and stop as we are having problem with global warming and also some beautiful species of plant and animal would not be seen by are kids in the future
NatureAdvice
http://www.justmeans.com
April 7, 2009 at 12:09 am
i think it is really sad that animals are dying because of stupid people that kill trees so much it ruins the enviorement . Those animals did not hurt anybody at least didnt mean to and they dont deserve to dye and be extinct by deforestation.I love animals they are so pretty and so are plants.Im worried about the future because it might not be as pretty as it is now.
April 29, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Wow, the people above me can’t even spell, let alone understand this entire concept. No matter what us humans do, animals and plants will continue to become extinct.. And there are certain things in the world that we have no control over. Global warming has already done enough damage, it’s too late to save all of the deforestation that has occured. And how do you expect us to be able to build roads and houses, and how do you expect native people to survive without cutting down trees and plowing through these forests? Yes, it’s sad that animals are dying out, but you know what, all living organisms die at some point, and people are going to continue to tear through forests, no matter what laws may go into effect,and no matter how many species are put in danger.
May 1, 2009 at 3:06 am
B. so you are implying that we should all go kill ourselves? Life is something that should be taken care of. How many planets are out there that can sustain life? So far we only know 1: Earth. There are many other possible planets but there are about hmm lets see only 300 in this solar system out of billions of billions of planets that surround stars. At this rate of deforestation and impact to the environment, our planet will become Mars. Mars was once capable of supporting life but look at it now.
Also about people not understanding the concept could also go towards you. *cough*DUH*cough*
October 3, 2009 at 2:55 am
I am a strongly against the deforestation of the rainforest. As I will be speaking out on Top Gear. I am sure most have you have heard of it. With Jeremy Clarkson, myself and James May. May and I have joined the prince’s protection program. It would be great if all of you could to. May and I have also been donating regularly for the poor, poor bears in China. Please donate to any animal cause.
Richard
October 3, 2009 at 3:02 am
Hi all.
Has Hammond said, we would love you all to donate to the bears program. The latest Top Gear episode, Hammond, Clarkson and I head to China to see the bears, and of course it wouldn’t be Top Gear if we didn’t have a car involved – the 4 million pound Aston Martin is the car I will be driving. Hammond will be driving the ever loved Zonda and Clarkson, well you guess it- the Ford GT.
James
October 4, 2009 at 4:48 am
Hi.
I am definitely against rainforest deforestation.
James and Richard, I watch Top Gear every night. I am a huge fan. That sounds great. Holy Moses. The New Aston Martin is SEX! The bears program is definitely something I will be donating to again. I have donated over 1,000 dollars to there. If you get the time to right back, i would love to hear more about the new bear program.
jJogga