impacts of
exploitation
The development of tropical
rainforests associated with economic
development, in particular with
the rapid rise of intensive agriculture,
is closely linked with the deforestation
of the countries of the South.
This takes on different forms depending
on the regions and continents.
In the Amazon basin, deforestation
is mainly due to the expansion
of stockbreeding. Over the past
30 years therefore, 17% of the
Amazonian forest - a surface area equal to
France - has been converted, mainly into
pasture.
In Asia, the forests are increasingly giving way
to commercial crops, notably to plantations
of rubber trees (Hevea) and palm oil trees to
satisfy the global demand for biofuel.
In Africa, deforestation never ceases to
progress, giving way to agricultural land. This
effect is accentuated by countries like China
which buy land to feed their population.
15% of the
international timber
trade stems from
illegal logging.
Keeping watch over tropical forests by satellite
Satellite images provide a range of information: understanding the ways
in which forests work, mapping inaccessible areas, measuring the impact
of human activity, monitoring the track network and gaps left by felling, detecting
illegal gold panning in the Amazon Basin. On this photo taken in the State
of Rondonia (Brazil): in light green, the very extensive deforestation;
in dark green, the eastern part of Rio Machadao, where the forest is relatively
intact; in magenta, the small town of Machadihno d’Oeste.
Logging on a small
village concession
in Indonesia.
In Madagascar,
preparation of a
“tavy”: a field for
cultivation created
by the slash and
burn technique.
This system changes
the forest, without
deforestation,
creating bamboogrowing fallow areas.
Did you know? Some companies apply
low-impact logging and operational techniques
to limit damage to the forest: felling area
delimited on a satellite image, inventory, locating
and marking trees for cutting, strict limitation of tracks •
Improving management
of tropical forests for production
without
destruction
16
MINISTÈRE
DES
AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
ET EUROPÉENNES
FTH/en - 2011