Some Leading Causes of Rainforest Destruction

"Deforestation, in other words, is an expression of social injustice."

- Marcus Colchester

Deforestation or rainforest destruction is among the major problems in almost every nation in the world but is commonly not addressed properly. In fact, no one knows how wide is the effect of this destruction to the environment and even to us, humans. Data presented are not precise, and it also yields different interpretation. 

Here we have listed some of the leading causes of rainforest destruction that may lead to how we can think of the ways on how to address them:

Logging. The practice of cutting down mature trees for their timber by commercial companies and expecting them to regrow naturally is actually untrue. Selective logging, as they termed it causes great damage to rainforest not only affecting the trees to be cut down, but also other trees that are surrounding nearby. Heavy machineries and construction of roads for these equipments are of great threat to the natural growth of rainforest. Cutting down of a mature tree accompanies destruction to plants, vines and epiphytes depending on it, and the tracks constructed for machineries cause damage to the ground. 

Construction of Large Dams. Studies showed that thousands of hectares of rainforest are being destroyed every year in construction of hydro-electric dams. This construction not only led to lasting effects of rainforest destruction but can also have destructive effects to humans. In several countries, sheer weight in dams are proven to be the cause of earthquakes; waterborne diseases increased; and as dams trap silt, it produce soil erosion. 

Tourism. Who would even thought that tourism purposes which are intended to benefit the people can cause destruction of rainforest that can harm the people? How? Through the construction of national parks. National parks are constructed in order to make people especially tourists aware of the wonders of nature, but excessive tourism produces great destruction to the natural rainforest. Pollution of waterways and ineffective waste management programs are sacrificed. 

Animal Raising and Planting. Clearing of forests for the purpose of land cultivation and planting are causes of present ay forest degradation. As we all know, forest soil are sensitive to any chemical put in it and because farming and agriculture practices are now in the use of artificial fertilizers and feeds, the quality of soil decreases gradually. What’s more alarming is that, crops harvested from these farms are exported to richer countries rather than the local people benefiting from this products.

Facts You Need to Know About Panama

Consider this palindrome: “A man a plan a canal Panama.”

 Probably you know what we have here. Welcome to a deeper knowledge about the Republic of Panama.

Panama can be found on Central America in the southernmost part. It connects the North and South America surrounded by the countries of Columbia on the right and Costa Rica on the left. It is the only country in the world wherein you can witness the sunrise at the Pacific Ocean and the sunset at the Atlantic Ocean. It is also in this country where you can have the chance of swimming both of the oceans just in one day!

Spanish is the official language in Panama brought by colonization in the 16th century but a great number of locals are fluent in speaking English. Panama also has the smallest population in Central America with a number of 3,120,000 as assessed by the United Nations in 2003. It is a tropical country consisting only of two seasons: wet and dry.  Dry season extends from December to April and May to November is the rainy season. Panama is considered one of the best places for tourists because it is not affected by hurricanes and tropical storms.

To where did Panama derived its name?

Just like any other nation in the world, it is interesting to know the history behind Panama’s name. Several theories abound about the etymology of Panama. It was believed to come from local specie of tree and some stories tell that the first settlers of Panama arrived in August when butterflies are all over the place. That’s why in an indigenous language, ‘Panama’ means “many butterflies”. But the best known version is regarding a Spanish captain that explores its Pacific side which is known for abundance of fish that became the site for the Empire’s Pacific City. Thus, it means “an abundance of fish”.

The two mentioned etymology are the official general definition of the name of the country published in their Social Studies textbooks approved by Panama’s Ministry of Education.
 

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Don't ya know she's coming home with me
You'll lose her in that turn
I'll get her!

Panama, Panama
Panama, Panama

Ever heard of this Van Halen’s song? Did you know that out of 10 Panamanians, seven of them haven’t heard of this song which bears their country’s name as its title? Funny, but it’s true.

Jaguar in Panama Rainforest

Among the species of big cats, only jaguars are found on the large Continent of America. They are considered the largest among South America’s big cats. These powerful beasts were very dominant in Native American cultures. The name jaguar came from the Native American word ‘yaguar’ meaning “he who kills with one leap”. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS

Jaguars are next to tigers and lions when it comes to size of big cats in America. They are solitary and extremely territorial that they mark their preferred habitat either with urine or markings on trees. One interesting fact about these big cats is that they do not avoid water unlike any other mammals, in fact, they are good swimmers. They prey on animals in the water and can even eat larger animals like tapirs and peccaries. They can also climb on top of trees to prepare for ambush of a prey. Most species are tan or dark orange with black spots shaped like roses.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A JAGUAR AND A LEOPARD?

Probably you’re one of those people often confused on how these two cats differ from one another. Before trying to name any of them, please be reminded of some things: jaguars tend to have bigger rosettes accompanied with spots in the middle while leopards has no spots on its rosettes. Moreover, jaguars have indeed bigger forehead and jaws than leopards as an adaptation to their unique way of eating their prey. Jaguars generally weigh heavier than leopards.

A JAGUAR SPOTTED ON BARRO COLORADO

Barro Colorado of Panama is one of the most researched tropical ecosystems in the planet. It is an island located in the Panama Canal wherein one day, a hidden camera was triggered by a presence of a jaguar in the place. This sighting is really significant for conservationists knowing that jaguars in Panama are rarely seen. They came to extinction due to destruction of habitat and hunting for their skin. Information provided by hidden cameras like these provide greater insights to activities of jaguars so that better construction and design for space of these animals will be further developed.

Big Cats of the Panama Jungle

Primarily due to geological history, Panama has one of the richest biodiversity. As you may know, Panama emerged as a bridge of land about 3 million years ago that connects the North and South America. In result to this, animals from the two continents are free to transport back and forth that creates an ideal array of wildlife. 

Panama is a home to species of big cats unique to Central America. Among these are puma, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot and margay.

OCELOT

This is a wild cat that weighs on the average 10 to 15 kilograms making it the largest in the genus Leopardus. It has a scientific name of Leopardus pardalis from the Latin word pardalis, meaning “leopard-like”. Ocelots are extremely territorial at the same time, nocturnal. They can fight to death once threatened and can be very aggressive. Ocelots eat a variety of preys like birds, amphibians, rodents, chickens and a lot more. Their strongest sense is their vision, they can see clearly even at night.

PUMA

The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a big cat that is more closely related to domesticated cats than other big cats. It is considered as the only mammal that can be compared to humans because of its versatility in conquering America, evidence is the variety of name it established in different places throughout the continent. The pumas are secretive animals. They hunt their prey usually from the back. It kills them through a bite at the base of the skull.

JAGUAR

The jaguar is the world’s third largest cat and has the strongest bite among the big cats. They are solitary and territorial animals. Jaguars eat large animals and are mostly found on habitats with water bodies. Jaguars are very similar to leopards, but they are different in a way that jaguars have larger spots with thick outlines. They are excellent swimmers.

JAGUARUNDI

Jaguarundi is a small cat, which differs from domesticated cats of Latin America by its elongated head rather than rounded. They can either be black, red, or brownish gray. Jaguarundis are frequently observed travelling in pairs. They feed on small mammals.

MARGAY

These are small, spotted cats closely similar to ocelots. They have a special kind of feet that allows them to turn by 180 degrees- they are broad with flexible ankles and movable toes. They are carnivorous and feed on reptiles or birds. The margay spends its whole life mainly on trees.

Information on Panama Weather: Knowing When to Go

Anyone can go to Panama whenever he pleases, but of course, it would be better if you set your vacation on your most preferred time. Here we've listed some facts on Panama’s weather and what to expect each month.

Panama lies just above the equator that’s why you can expect a tropical climate here throughout the year. Records set that an average annual temperature ranges from 24-29 degrees Celsius depending only on altitude. Expect high humidity in Panama whereas the heat becomes oppressive. 

SO, WHEN’S THE BEST TIME?

It’s been most suggested that the best time to plan your vacation on Panama is during the summer dry season, mid-December to mid-April. Take note that hotel accommodations and resorts place higher rates on their charges throughout these months. During this time, less rain is experienced. However, rainfall concerns differ in every part of the country. For example, on the Pacific side, the weather is fair and there is less possibility of rain during December or January.

Remember that outdoor pursuits highly depend on the climate outside. If you plan to do trekking or probably hiking, come during the dry season and you’ll surely have a smooth adventure.  On the other hand, if you like to do water sports or surfing, you might want to consider the offshore winds from December to mid-April. Diving is also at its best during these months where better visibility can be observed.  

On the contrary, the rainy season peaks from late May to early December. Keep in mind that rainy season doesn’t pertain to continuous heavy rain, usually the mornings are sunny and rains occur in the afternoon. T he rainiest months are October and November. The western areas in the Caribbean receive the highest amount of rainfall in the country. 

FESTIVE CONSIDERATIONS

Colorful festivities and celebrations are also one of the considerations of visitors in planning their trip to Panama. In fact, there is a common connotation to Panamanians that the only thing they take seriously is their holidays. Public facilities including businesses and offices close their establishments during festivals, and even the modes of transportation are lessened. Panama City’s Carnaval is the most revered holiday though it’s not an official holiday. Another large celebration is the Azuero Peninsula, made popular by its Carnaval (Mardi Gras).

The Advantages of Living in Panama

One thing’s for sure.

Panama tops the list of the highly recommended places in the world to live in. primarily it is because of the fact that you can do both business and relaxation with ease. All in all, Panama is a great place to spend the rest of your life and money with. Here are some of the reasons why:

LOW COST OF LIVING

According to a 2012 report, Panama is one among the top ten least costly cities in the world especially for foreigners. Not to mention, it has the best program for retirees in the world. Panamanian government really has concrete programs to attract retiring foreigners in their land. Along with the many discounts and benefits to avail are entertainment, transportation, medical supplies, home loans, and even hotel accommodations. The only thing you need is a certification of $500 monthly income, police report, and a health certificate. 

SECURITY AND SAFETY

In line with other South American countries, Panama has the lowest crime rate in general. Here, you don’t have to worry putting your wallet in your pocket and carrying large amount of dollars. In fact, crime rate has a dramatic decline to about 28%. Moreover, Panama doesn’t experience hurricanes and earthquake than any other countries. So be it with crime or natural calamity, there is no safer place than Panama.

THE PANAMANIAN PEOPLE

The Panamanians are one of the friendliest races in the world. Probably because of their rich history of dealing with foreigners, the country became globalized. Also, they are fun-loving people. Evidences can be traced to their festive celebrations and active nightlife. Lastly, what makes Panamanian people unique is their strong values for elegance and beauty.

NO BORING MOMENT

Being a small nation didn’t limit Panama for being a home to world-class activities and attractions. Anyone can say that this country is so blessed with many beautiful amenities and side trips to do  – hiking in rainforests, beach lounging, mountain trekking, diving, partying and a whole lot more. It is not that hard to experience the wonders of Panama. Here you can also enjoy shopping, high speed internet services, great restaurants with a variety of awesome venues to choose from. 

FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY

Panama has the fastest growing economy in America. In fact, its Gross Domestic Product rises from 7-10% each year from 2009. Significantly, it has one of the most secured financial systems in the world.

All about Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a 48-mile ship canal along Isthmus in Panama that connects the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. This international maritime trade route saves about 1000 miles of travelling the Cape Horn, along the southern tip of South America. The construction of Panama Canal is considered as one among the largest and most crucial engineering projects ever undertaken. 

HISTORY

In 16th century, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first European to approach the Pacific, first saw the possibility of building a canal that will connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Before, Panama was part of the country of Columbia but when the later opposed the proposal of the United States in building a canal, a revolution supported by the U.S. led to freedom of Panama in 1903. The Panamanian government gave authority to French Philippe Bunau-Varilla to organize a treaty between United States that allowed for the construction of the canal. 

The Panama Canal was built from 1904 to 1914 though the French first attempted to build it in the 1880s with the cost of about 400 million U.S. dollars. 

THE CANAL SYSTEM

The canal consists of artificial lakes, three sets of locks and several improved and artificial channels. At the time of the canal’s construction, Gatun Lake, formed by the canal is the largest artificial lake in the world. The Alajuela Lake is an additional lake that acts as a reservoir for the canal. 

The locks, (water filled chambers) are the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and the Miraflores locks. These are responsible for raising or lowing ships from one level to another. These are also built in pairs to allow passage of ships in both directions at the same time. 

SOME POINTS OF INTEREST

Disease is the primary obstacle in building the Panama Canal. At that time, Panama was one of the most disease-ridden countries in the world not to mention numerous cases of yellow fever and malaria.

The cargo ship Ancon was the first vessel to pass through the canal on August 15, 1914.  A giant landslide occurred in 1915 in Gaillard Cut causing the Canal to close for several months.  The highest Canal toll was US $ 141,344.91 made by Crown Princess, a passenger superliner; the lowest toll ever paid was 36 cents by Richard Halliburton for swimming through the Canal in 1928.  John Stevens is considered to be the mastermind behind the construction of the canal. He designed the lock system of the Canal but he resigned from his position before the completion of the project.