home Consultations Economy. Environmental problems. Contemporary environmental problems in South America. changes in natural complexes by humans Environmental problems of South America essence

Economy. Environmental problems. Contemporary environmental problems in South America. changes in natural complexes by humans Environmental problems of South America essence

The nature of the continent has been significantly changed by human economic activity. The current state of the Amazon forest is a cause for concern, as the area of the forest is shrinking by 1% every year.

Forests are being destroyed in order to expand pastures for cattle and increase the area for plantations of cotton, sugar cane, coffee, etc. Significant harm to nature was caused by the construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway, which crossed the Amazon from west to east for more than 5,000 km (Fig.

The decrease in the area of the selva is also associated with the extraction of minerals here, especially oil. Pollution may be the final blow that the forest cannot withstand.

The savannas of the Brazilian plateau have been transformed by man into plantations of sugar cane, rice, oil palm, coffee, bananas, and grapes. Large areas are covered by pastures.

In addition, the plateau, extremely rich in mineral resources, is dotted with quarries, mines, and waste rock dumps. All this has depleted the soil, and in some places has turned former agricultural land into lifeless space.

The natural vegetation of the pampa has also been preserved only in isolated small areas. The grassy expanses in the east have now turned into fields of wheat, flax, corn, and in the west - into pastures.

The destruction of primary vegetation caused soil erosion and caused the disappearance of numerous animals that once inhabited the pampa.

Man has also changed the nature of the mountainous part of the continent: in the lower altitude zones, the harvesting of valuable tree species is rapidly increasing, and modern mining equipment is rising higher and higher in the mountains.

The natural complexes of South America have been significantly altered by humans.

All the toughness and charm of South America, perky and fun)))

Modern political map of Africa. main states, problems of their development

TOPIC 2. South America

§ 24. Modern environmental problems of the continent. World Natural Heritage Sites

Remember:

1. When did Europeans begin to actively populate South America?

2. What are cultural and natural heritage sites?

Ecological problems. Active economic activity in South America began in the 16th century. in connection with the colonization of the mainland by Europeans. The largest modern environmental problems are: the destruction of the Amazon forests, plowing of the savannah, pampas, trampling of grass by numerous herds of domestic animals, impoverishment of vegetation and fauna; soil erosion, expansion of desert areas, pollution of rivers, seas, air in mountainous areas, and the like.

The development of land for agricultural purposes in many areas of South America has led to changes in the natural environment. The pampa was almost completely plowed, tropical woodlands were cut down, and many animals were exterminated. The fate of the Amazon forests is especially worrying (Fig. 63). Construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway and beyond

the development of this area is accompanied by predatory deforestation and burning of forests over vast areas. Such human activity significantly disrupts the natural balance, threatening to change the natural environment not only of equatorial forests, but also of neighboring natural zones (decreased precipitation, shallowing of rivers, soil erosion, depletion of plant cover and fauna).

Rice. 63. Deforestation of the Amazon. Photo from space

Concerned about the rapid destruction of forests, the Brazilian government has decided to create the first large reserve in the Amazon.

Tropical agriculture is developing in South American countries, which significantly disrupts natural ecosystems. In equatorial and tropical latitudes, coffee trees, bananas, pineapples, sugar cane and the like are intensively grown. In subtropical areas - citrus fruits, tea, wheat, corn and the like. The lower slopes of the Andes are also used for agriculture, and the high mountain meadows are used as pastures.

Natural complexes in mining areas are changing significantly. During open-pit mining, the width of quarries can reach several kilometers. The industrial centers of São Paulo and Buenos Aires are the mainland's polluted cities.

Recently, the struggle for environmental conservation has intensified in South American countries. Legislation on environmental protection is being improved, and national parks and reserves are being intensively created. Now there are more than 300 of them on the mainland. 6 national parks and 8 scientific stations and reserves have been created in the Amazon. The area of protected areas in South America is almost 1%.

Objects of the World Natural Heritage. 13% of the monuments are located on the territory of Latin America and the Caribbean countries (among them 90 are cultural heritage, 36 are natural heritage, 3 are mixed). Let's talk about some of them.

The Devil's Throat waterfalls are located on the territory of Iguazu National Park in Argentina (Fig. 64). Depending on the water level in the Iguazu River, there are between 160 and 260 waterfalls in the park. More than 2,000 species of plants grow around and 400 species of birds live.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the National Park of Argentina (Fig. 65). The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentine part of Patagonia and the third largest in the world after Antarctica and Greenland.

Rice. 64. Devil's Throat Falls

Rice. 65. Perito Moreno Glacier

Research

Natural uniqueness of South America

Using various sources of information, take a virtual tour of the unique natural sites of South America. Prepare a story (presentation) about one of them. Give a message to your classmates. Draw unique natural features on an outline map of South America.

Questions and tasks

1. Name the environmental problems of South America. What are they connected to?

2. What environmental problems of the continent can become global problems of the world?

3. Name the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the mainland.

4. What ways can there be to preserve natural heritage sites in our time?

Working with a map and atlas

Locate on a physical map areas of the continent where environmental problems have arisen. Label them on the outline map.

Researcher Page

Suggest your own ways to solve environmental problems in South America.

Interesting fact

The Centennial Bridge (Fig. 66) crosses the Panama Canal. It was commissioned in 2004 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Panama's independence. The bridge was constructed in 29 months, the cost of construction work was almost $120 million. Its height is 80 m, length is 1 km 52 m.

Rice. 66. Centennial Bridge

Global problems of our time

Note 1

A whole series of planetary problems that cannot be solved by the efforts of just one country are called global. Their peculiarity is complexity, systematicity, universality, which is ensured by the unity of the modern world and the strengthening of global interrelations. Conventionally, global problems are divided into 4 groups - socio-political, socio-economic, socio-ecological, social and humanitarian.

Socio-political problems related to ensuring peace and international security. If for a long time the basis of international security was nuclear deterrence, then in modern conditions it has become clear that nuclear war will never be a means of achieving foreign policy goals. Along with the peoples' hope for a secure world, new sources of instability have emerged - the growth of international terrorism. Countries around the world have accumulated huge stockpiles of weapons capable of destroying the planet several times over, so the problem of disarmament is acute. The solution to social problems in developing countries is hampered by the pace of military spending, which exceeds the rate of economic development. To begin disarmament, which in itself is a long process, all parties must adhere to certain principles.

Their essence is as follows:

Equality and equal security;
Fulfillment of all contractual obligations and agreements;
Disarmament control system;
Comprehensive nature, continuity and effectiveness of disarmament activities.

IN socio-economic The main problems are the problem of economic backwardness, the demographic problem, the food problem. Today, there is a huge gap between developing and developed countries in all socio-economic indicators. The problem of backwardness is due to the fact that they cannot establish efficient production and provide themselves with food. These countries are unable to eliminate poverty and solve social problems on their own. The division of the world into rich and poor is deepening and creating tension between countries.

Economic backwardness is the cause of two more problems - demographic and food. The “population explosion” has led to an increase in the planet’s population to $7 billion. The demographic situation leads to negative consequences - an uneven distribution of people in relation to life resources, a negative impact on the environment, overpopulation in a number of countries, an increase in poverty and a deterioration in the quality of life. The danger of destruction of the natural environment that exists today has led to socio-ecological problems.

Air and water pollution;
Climate change on the planet as a whole;
Deforestation;
Disappearance of many species of flora and fauna;
Soil erosion;
Reduction of the area of fertile lands;
Ozone holes;
Acid rain, etc.

Environmental problems themselves will not disappear; their solution involves the development and implementation of nature conservation programs not only at the national, but also at the regional and international levels. Environmental policy should become an integral part of the domestic and foreign policies of all countries of the world. Environmental policy will be effective provided that environmental legislation is created, which provides for liability for violations and a mechanism for punishment for non-compliance with the legislation. Environmental issues are the focus of attention of such international organizations as the UN, UNESCO, etc. Their field of activity includes the development of environmental protection programs at the international level and the implementation of environmental protection measures throughout the world. They create systems of international control over the state of the natural environment and environmental education. In many countries around the world, environmental organizations and movements are emerging that also contribute to environmental protection. Their activities are gaining significant scope throughout the world. A wide range of issues also cover social and humanitarian problems directly related to humans.

This is, first of all:

Material and spiritual insecurity of life;
Violation of human rights and freedoms;
Mental and physical ill health of a person;
Suffering and grief from wars and violence, etc.

All interethnic conflicts, local wars, and natural disasters have one result - humanitarian disasters, the consequences of which can only be eliminated by the united efforts of the world community. The increasing flows of refugees each year create enormous difficulties for all countries.

Note 2

All global problems are closely related to each other and affect people. The very existence of human civilization is under threat, and this has prompted scientists around the world to join forces in search of ways to solve global problems. For this purpose, the Club of Rome was created in 1968. It is an international non-governmental organization that unites scientists, political and public figures from a number of countries around the world. This organization was founded by the Italian economist, businessman and public figure A. Peccei.

Environmental problems of Latin America

The diverse natural resource potential of Latin America and intensive environmental management have resulted in environmental situations for many countries in the region. The causes of environmental troubles were the peripheral position in the world economy and high dependence on foreign capital. Rational environmental management is associated with the protection of the national interests of Latin American countries.

Today, $80$% of industrial pollution is associated with the use of fuel and energy resources. Oil refining and petrochemicals are the most dangerous industries in environmental terms. In Brazil, the dirtiest area was the Camasari region, where a large petrochemical complex was built. Such areas where hazardous production is concentrated are called the “valley of death.” The development of nuclear energy increases the risk of radioactive contamination.

Another problem is coming to the surface - the dumping of toxic waste from developed countries in Latin America. Moreover, burials are already underway in Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. Air pollution with harmful compounds - oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen - has a negative impact on human health. The share of air pollution from vehicles is large and its share, for example, in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Santiago, is $70$%. Forest fires contribute to air pollution. The poor condition of water basins is caused by industrial waste discharges. The water problem is very acute, for example, in Buenos Aires, where 90% of industrial enterprises do not have wastewater treatment plants. There is catastrophic pollution of the tributaries of La Plata, on the banks of which industrial enterprises are located, but the river water is also used for the domestic needs of citizens. The water problem in Latin America is very acute.

Factors that determined it:

As populations and cities grow, per capita water availability decreases;
Deforestation, climate change;
Discharge of untreated waste reduces water quality;
Outdated institutional and legislative structure.

The region has large reserves of arable land and ranks third in the world in terms of land degradation, which is associated with erosion.

The main problems in this area:

Erosion leads to a reduction in agricultural land;
Change of land use types;
Compaction, pollution, removal of nutrients leading to degradation;
Unequal and unfair distribution of land;
Lack of land rights.

Excessive intensification of agriculture leads to loss of nutrients. As a result, the soil loses its productivity, further exacerbating the problem of poverty. The introduction of fertilizers, pesticides, and the use of new technologies certainly increase the volume of production, but significantly worsen the state of the environment. The use of fertilizers leads to an increase in nitrogen compounds in the soil and water.

Note 3

A special form of soil degradation is salinization, and since the fight against this phenomenon is very difficult, the process of salinization can lead to desertification. In Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile, $18.4 million hectares of land are subject to salinity. Dangerous environmental consequences, even greater soil erosion, are associated with deforestation for pastures and the creation of livestock farms. Forests, for example, serve an important socio-economic function in the Caribbean.

The function of scaffolding is as follows:

Forests in the Caribbean are a source of not only domestic consumption, but also export. Thanks to the forest, indigenous peoples preserve their traditional way of life;
The forest is a supplier of natural products, it performs the function of preserving the environment, protecting against natural disasters;
The forest preserves river basins, protects against erosion and absorbs carbon dioxide.

Forest areas in the Caribbean represent $1/4 of the planet's forest area and contain more than $160 billion cubic meters. m of wood. This is $1/3$ of the world's reserves. Forest loss in the region is the highest in the world and amounts to $0.48% annually, and over the last $30 years, out of $418 million hectares of forest, Latin America accounts for $190 million hectares. Forests are especially vulnerable during fires. This natural disaster can destroy up to $50$% of the surface forest biomass. Particularly severe fires were observed in Central America in 1988. The fires that broke out covered an area of more than $2.5 million hectares. They were most catastrophic in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua. In Mexico alone, $14,445 in fires were reported.

Activities of states in solving environmental problems

Until relatively recently, the states of Latin America practically did not pay due attention to the environmental problems that arose in the region. This attitude has led to uncontrollable consequences - deforestation over vast areas, a decrease in the gene pool of fauna, soil erosion, acid rain, etc. The region's huge urban agglomerations are especially hard hit. It must be said that recently more attention has been paid to environmental issues.

Brazil has improved its legal framework and forest management;
Over the past decades, issues of land degradation have been addressed in regional and international forums;
By decision of the UN, a Regional Coordination Council for Latin American and Caribbean countries was created. Its task was to coordinate the preparation and implementation of national programs for further action;
A number of Latin American countries have adopted new forestry regulations. For example, in 1996, Bolivia passed a new forestry law (the $1,700 Law). Based on this law, public forests can only be transferred to private companies if local and indigenous people are involved in this process;
The Amazon Pact is an example of sub-regional mechanisms that are paving the way for new agreements and monitoring. All activities are aimed at preventing the degradation of soil resources in the region;
The Central American Council operates in the field of forests and protected areas. It serves as an advisory body in the field of policy and strategy for the sustainable use of forest resources, biodiversity conservation;
Eight states have concluded a cooperation agreement in the Amazon to develop joint activities in this area.

Note 4

The struggle to protect nature is gaining momentum - environmental legislation is developing, and the green social movement is expanding. This movement is especially widely represented in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. State organizations on environmental issues are being created in the region.

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Slide captions:

SOUTH AMERICA SUMMARY REVIEW ON THE TOPIC “NATURE OF SOUTH AMERICA”

Purpose of the lesson: To repeat and summarize the topic of the continent “South America”; consolidate knowledge on the topic

Objectives: 1. Continue to form an idea of the integrity of the continent’s nature. 2. Develop imaginative thinking, speech, the ability to highlight the main thing, the ability to work with a map, and summarize the material. 3. Develop the ability to listen and analyze a friend’s answers. 4. Formation of logical thinking of students. 5. Development of skills in working with computers and Internet resources.

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE CONTINENT EXTREME POINTS: NORTH SOUTH WESTERN EASTERN TASK No. 1 MARKED ON THE OUTLINE MAP

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH OF THE CONTINENT TASK No. 2

Christopher Columbus - 1492 - discovered America

Amerigo Vespucci - took part in 2 expeditions. He was the first to describe open lands.

Alexander Humboldt - German geographer -18-19 centuries. studied the nature of the continent.

Vavilov N.I. - Russian botanist established the centers of ancient centers of agriculture. (1923-1933)

TASK No. 3 WHY ARE THE MOUNTAINS IN THE WEST OF THE CONTINENT AND PLAINS IN THE EAST?

Snow avalanche (May 1970) killed 25 thousand people

Earthquakes in the Peruvian Andes

Brazilian plateau

RELIEF OF SOUTH AMERICA TASK No. 4 LABEL LARGE RELIEF FORMS ON THE RECORDS

CLIMATE TASK No. 5 WRITE CLIMATE AREAS: A) TROPICAL ZONE B) SUBTROPICAL C) MODERATE

INLAND WATERS

TASK No. 6 Label the largest rivers

Waterfalls TASK No. 7 NAME THE WATERFALLS OF THE CONTINENT. WHAT RIVER SYSTEMS ARE THEY LOCATED ON?

TASK No. 8? WHAT ARE THE MAINLAND LAKES CALLED AND WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

LAKE TITICACA

NATURE OF SOUTH AMERICA

NATURAL AREAS TASK No. 9 WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PERUAN CURRENT IN THE FORMATION OF THE COASTAL DESERT? What is the name of this desert? Where is?

NATURAL ZONES TASK No. 10 WHICH NATURAL ZONE WILL YOU ENTER WHEN MOVING FROM POINT A TO POINT B

TASK No. 11 WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE NATURAL AREA REPRESENTED? Where is it located?

TASK No. 12 NAME THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PLANT WORLD THAT ARE FOUND ON THE CONTINENTS OF Africa and Australia?

WHAT NATURAL AREAS DO THE PRESENTED BIRDS LIVE IN?

WONDERS OF SOUTH AMERICA. SELVA

PAMPA REPRESENTATIVES

PATAGONIA

A STUDENT CROSSES THE DESERT

THEIR HOMELAND IS SOUTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA COUNTRIES. BRAZIL

On the topic: methodological developments, presentations and notes

The material will be useful for geography teachers. Represents the development of a lesson on the topic "Geographical location of South America"...

Different continental conditions and rates of development, diversity of cultures and approaches to the development of their own country - Latin America continues to be one of the most unusual places on our planet in terms of diversity. The unique nature and biodiversity are under threat due to the environmental problems facing the region today.

Argentina: Scientists at the University of Washington found in a recent study that extreme rainfall and heat caused by climate change are causing population declines in Magellanic penguins on Argentina's Punta Tombo Peninsula. Over the past two years, the most common cause of death for chicks of this species has been climate change - increased rainfall during the breeding season has reduced their survival rate.

Belize: Stretching over 1,000 km along the coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, the Mesoamerican reef is home to more than 500 species of fish, 60 species of coral, 350 species of molluscs and other marine mammals and living organisms. Reefs are a key player in the ocean ecosystem. Due to global warming, sea temperatures are rising, causing coral reefs to fade. The color of coral reefs is given by zooxanthellae algae covering the polyps, but due to rising water temperatures they gradually die off.

Bolivia: Melting glaciers and climate change threaten Bolivians' water supplies. A 2008 World Bank report found that most glaciers in the Andes will disappear by 2028, affecting 100 million people. And that's not all: calculations show that a third of Bolivians already do not have access to clean water.

Brazil: Amazon deforestation is a huge problem for Brazil. From August 2012 to July 2013, deforestation increased by 28 percent. As the BBC reports during this time, on an area of about 3608 square meters. km were cleared of centuries-old jungle. These numbers are especially striking when you consider that the Amazon rainforest is one of the world's most important natural defenses against global warming.

Venezuela: It occupies the TOP 10 list of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, but also suffers from some environmental problems. Among them are sewage pollution in Lake Valencia, the third-highest rate of deforestation in South America, and oil and urban pollution in Lake Maracaibo. Several years ago, due to oil leaks, it was filled with crude oil.

Guatemala: Lake Atitlan in Guatemala was once the epitome of natural beauty and was even described by Aldous Huxley in his 1934 travel notes. It was compared to Lake Como in Italy, but now it has lost its former charm. The blue waters of the lake have acquired a thick brown sediment and a strong odor, and scientists from the University of California have discovered toxic bacteria in it. Surrounding towns continue to use the lake as a source of drinking water. These changes include agricultural fertilizers, untreated sewage, garbage, and economic and demographic problems.

Honduras: Of all the countries listed in the Humboldt Center study, Honduras is among the countries most affected by climate change. Many deaths in this country are caused by extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, floods and storms.

Dominican Republic: Rising sea levels pose a serious threat to the entire Caribbean, and coastal flooding and erosion caused by salt water will devastate the land.

According to a World Bank study, the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, will be one of five cities that will be seriously affected by climate change. In addition to flooding, there is a high chance of storms and heavy rainfall, and coastal erosion can be extremely dangerous for those living along the coast.

Colombia: If Colombia's soil and water pollution, illegal drug crops and crude oil leaks weren't enough, it also suffers from deforestation problems. A recent study found a link between illegal coca production and deforestation. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology cites a correlation between increased cocaine production and the loss of square kilometers of tropical forest. The trend of cutting down jungles adjacent to illegal crops will continue in the near future.

Costa Rica: Shark fins are considered a great delicacy in Asia. About 95 percent of shark fins are consumed in China, most often in the form of a special soup. Since a shark's fin is the most valuable part of their body, many fishermen strive to chop it off from still living fish and then throw them back into the ocean, dooming them to certain death.

In Costa Rica, shark finning is a huge problem for the state and the government has banned the practice. However, according to Interpol, fishermen using "a method where only a band of skin to retain the fin attached to the spine is retained and the rest of the body is thrown into the sea."

Cuba: Deforestation, water and air pollution, soil degradation and desertification are the main environmental problems facing Cuba. Air pollution, for example, is caused by the large number of outdated car models on the country's streets. According to some observations, the increase in acid rain in Cuba is associated precisely with air pollution from motor vehicles. In addition, Havana Bay has long been filled with garbage and metal.

Mexico: Globally, air pollution kills between 500,000 and 1 million lives a year and costs governments 2 percent of GDP. A 2012 report by the International Clean Air Institute, Air Quality in Latin America, states that Mexico City continues to suffer from severe air pollution. At the same time, the situation in the city has improved slightly: two decades ago, the capital of Mexico was considered the most polluted city on Earth, but there is still work to be done.

Nicaragua: Global warming has created many problems throughout Latin America. In Nicaragua, it is having a negative impact on the coffee industry. Hemileia vastatrix infection has affected about 70 percent of the world's Arabica production. The fungus, which originated from East Africa, could not survive at a temperature of 10 degrees and coffee plantations located at an altitude of 1300 meters were immune. But over the past three years, climate change has led to infection affecting most of the region's plantings, already causing coffee production to decline by 30 percent.

Panama: The mangroves of Isla Escudo de Veraguas are the natural habitat of the rare pygmy sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus), which is endangered. The population of this species is estimated at between 79 and 200 individuals in the wild. The main factor in the population decline is the reduction of its natural habitat.

Paraguay: Illegal crocodile hunting is extremely common in Paraguay. Crocodile skin is used to produce high-end luxury bags and other accessories. Surviving crocodiles are at risk of starvation due to irrigation draining their natural habitats.

Peru: The icy peak of Mount Quelccaya in Peru has been melting at an alarming rate for years. According to experts, the glacial ice of the Peruvian Andes, which formed over 1,600 years, melted in just 25 years. Global warming is to blame for melting glaciers around the world. The Pastoruri glacier is also under threat of complete disappearance, and will melt within the next decade.

Puerto Rico has big problems with solid waste. There is only limited space for waste disposal on the island and the amount is growing all the time.

Salvador: With a population of about 7 million people, this country suffers from a wide range of environmental problems: from water pollution from human biological waste to the exploitation of lands rich in precious metals. There are approximately 32 unique mining complexes in El Salvador, and during operations, most toxic chemicals are discharged into water sources.

Uruguay: Waste management has become so big in Uruguay that you can even make a career out of waste collection. It has been estimated that in Montevideo at least 15,000 people make a living by collecting garbage and food, carrying and using discarded items. In turn, the quality of life of people who subsist on other people's waste causes great controversy in society.

Chile: Deforestation, air pollution, mining problems, soil erosion and water shortages are among the problems affecting Chile. The country, which is home to many of the world's plant and animal species, is also facing loss of biodiversity. At least 16 species of mammals, 18 species of birds, 4 species of freshwater fish, and 268 species of plants are already threatened with extinction. Some endangered species in Chile include the tundra peregrine falcon, ruddy goose and green sea turtles.

Ecuador: The Galapagos Islands became a World Heritage Site in 1978 because they are home to thousands of species found nowhere else in the world. Many species on the island are threatened by several factors: air and land pollution, an influx of tourists, overfishing and illegal hunting. Today, more than 40 species in the Galapagos Islands are threatened with complete extinction due to the factors listed above.

TOPIC 2. South America

§ 24. Modern environmental problems of the continent. World Natural Heritage Sites

Remember:

1. When did Europeans begin to actively populate South America?

2. What are cultural and natural heritage sites?

Rice. 63. Deforestation of the Amazon. Photo from space

Concerned about the rapid destruction of forests, the Brazilian government has decided to create the first large reserve in the Amazon.

Rice. 64. Devil's Throat Falls

Rice. 65. Perito Moreno Glacier

Research

Natural uniqueness of South America

Questions and tasks

1. Name the environmental problems of South America. What are they connected to?

2. What environmental problems of the continent can become global problems of the world?

3. Name the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the mainland.

4. What ways can there be to preserve natural heritage sites in our time?

Working with a map and atlas

Locate on a physical map areas of the continent where environmental problems have arisen. Label them on the outline map.

Researcher Page

Suggest your own ways to solve environmental problems in South America.

Interesting fact

Environmental education of preschoolers in kindergarten and family teacher-defectologist Voronina L.Yu. March 2017 MBDOU d/s No. 6 2017 announced in...

The current population of South America is almost 320 million people and 78% is urban. The continent has been unevenly developed by man. Only the outlying areas of the continent (mainly the Atlantic coast) and some areas of the Andes are densely populated. At the same time, the interior areas (for example, the forested Amazonian lowland) remained virtually undeveloped until recently.

The growth of large cities is causing serious environmental problems in urban areas around the world. This is the lack and low quality of drinking water, air pollution, and the accumulation of solid waste.

The extraction of oil in the very thick of the Amazon rainforest or iron and other ores within the Guiana and Brazilian highlands required the construction of transport routes in recently remote and inaccessible areas. This led to population growth, destruction of forests, and expansion of arable and pasture lands. As a result of the attack on nature using the latest technology, the ecological balance is disrupted and vulnerable natural complexes are destroyed.

Until the middle of this century, nothing seemed to threaten the evergreen forests of the Amazon. But the construction of the trans-Amazon highway led to the possibility of human penetration into the depths of the equatorial forest. The scale of timber harvesting has increased, and the threat of destruction looms over the Amazon forests.

Tropical agriculture is developing, which leads to the destruction of the pristine ecosystem. Coffee, cocoa, bananas, pineapples, sugar cane and other crops are grown in equatorial and tropical latitudes. In subtropical areas with sufficient moisture, other crops predominate: citrus fruits, tea, wheat, corn (in the pampas). People also use the lower slopes of the Andes for farming. High mountain meadows serve as pastures.

Natural complexes have also been greatly changed in places where minerals are extracted. In open-pit mining, the width of quarries can be several kilometers. The industrial centers of Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires are among the most polluted cities on the mainland.

A continent located in the western and southern hemispheres of our planet, with an area of 17,840,000 square kilometers and washed by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans - South America. It also includes many islands belonging to mainland countries. Many natural systems and objects here are unique, for example, here is the largest river in the world by basin area - the Amazon, the highest waterfall on the planet - Angel, the largest river island on Earth - Marajo.

On the mainland there are still many natural objects worthy of description and mention, but the main thing is that they need to be protected. The environmental problems of South America are primarily problems of countries located on the continent, especially Brazil. They depend on their economic, political, social activities. Pollution of the natural environment, destruction of forests and unique ecosystems, extermination of animals are only a certain part of the side effects from the activities of people living on the mainland.

America was not opened in order to turn this land into a garbage dump, unsuitable for human life and the normal existence of ecosystems that have long been established here. Unfortunately, globalization in modern times primarily concerns large areas of land. Energy, utilities, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, services, construction, trade, and motor transport constitute the main backbone of the areas that directly affect the environmental situation in South America.

Atmospheric pollution occurs due to the release of huge amounts of substances into the air from factories and factories. Among the main pollutants are carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, mercury, sulfur dioxides, heated air, dust, and particulate matter. By themselves, these elements would not harm the environment if they were released in small quantities, but the volumes of their release into the atmosphere from industrial and manufacturing enterprises are so large that they cause enormous damage to nature, flora and fauna, and public health.

The activities of factories pollute not only the air, but also the water. Together with waste discharges from factories, alkyd, acrylic, oil, alkaline and acid solutions, heavy metal compounds, dispersants, ethylene glycol, rheology modifiers, petroleum products, silicon dioxide, solutions with increased microbiological activity, and heated water enter rivers and lakes.

Tons of solid household waste litter megacities and small towns. In addition to enterprises, the population makes a big contribution. City streets, railway and highway lines are buried in garbage. Most materials. ending up in landfills, such as plastic, glass, waste paper, rubber products are subject to separate collection and recycling. This is the right way to solve the environmental problem associated with littering, which is neglected everywhere, with the exception of isolated cases.

The creation of protected areas and national parks, monitoring existing ones, checking the performance of emission filtration and waste treatment systems, their improvement, the introduction of new technological processes and modern equipment, separate waste collection and recycling, rational use of natural resources is the right way to solve environmental problems.