Word: atlantica
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Some three decades ago, descendants of German Pomeranian immigrants, who had farmed in Brazil's mountains for a hundred years, moved toward the coast and settled in the tropical Atlantica forest. Clearing the land for farming, these settlers burned valuable jacaranda and peroba trees. Once a road was built, the region was open for an invasion of wood exporters, armed with chain saws, who cut down the rest of the forest. Any wood not exported was consigned as fuel to Brazil's burgeoning steel industry...
...area went from forest to zero," laments Brazilian Environmentalist Augusto Ruschi. "There were no gradual, intermediate stages. Within 20 years, the Atlantica forest was turned into pasture lands and coffee plantations, and now the area is marching toward desertification." The process is hastened by decreased rainfall. Even when it does rain the water runs off quickly, because there are no tree roots left to hold it. Nutrients are washed away, and the land can barely support the Pomeranians' cattle and subsistence crops...