Environmental+Issues

 Although Central America may only have 0.1 percent of the world's land mass, 7% of the world's entire biodiversity is in these areas. Through the years, many factors are continuing to decrease the large amount of biodiversity including, water and air pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and many other environmental threatening problems. The Amazon Rainforest that covers a surface area of around 1,583,000 square miles
 *  Environmental Issues **

South America’s biodiversity is just as great of a proportion of the planets species of plants and animals, including some of the most unique animals such as the anaconda, piranha, jaguar, vicuña and tapir. South America is also known for its wide spread extremes, the driest place on earth (Atacama Desert) and the wettest place on earth (Amazon Rainforest).



 This Image shows the Atacama Desert which is 40600 square miles.

All of these amazing land features and millions of plant and animal life are continuing to become less and less due to the horrible environmental problems we humans are creating. Although industries do help the economy, they are a large factor for the air and water pollution in these habitats. Increase in urban development keeps increasing the soil erosion, air pollution, and water contaminant. Without even realizing it, people are diminishing the amount of biodiversity daily. Deforestation is another main factor the amazon rainforest is becoming less and less. Everyday people are cutting down trees in the rainforest to put up new industries, make houses, and other works of construction. Even though these projects may be benefiting people, many do not realize how much value these natural wonders bring to society. Without rain forests, 90% of the medicines in the United States could not be created as well as many other goods we use on a daily basis.

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Although there is no way to reserve the damage, we can help prevent even worse to come. By decreasing carbon emissions, reducing deforestation, and placing restrictions on air and water pollution every one can help the environment tremendously.

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/southamerica/argentina/index.htm http://rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/ http://voices.yahoo.com/environmental-problems-latin-america-304508.html?cat=7