Study the table below, which shows the main economic activities contributing to tree cover loss in a tropical rainforest region between 2015 and 2022.
| Economic Activity | Percentage share of total forest loss (%) | Primary environmental impact |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Palm Oil Plantations | 45% | Large-scale clear-felling, soil erosion, severe biodiversity loss |
| Small-scale Subsistence Agriculture | 20% | Forest fragmentation, nutrient depletion over time |
| Commercial Logging (Legal & Illegal) | 15% | Canopy damage, soil compaction, loss of target tree species |
| Infrastructure Development (Roads & Dams) | 12% | Habitat fragmentation, flooding (dams), opens access to deep forest |
| Mining and Mineral Extraction | 8% | Surface strip-mining, chemical contamination of river networks |
‘Some economic activities in tropical rainforests cause far more significant and long-lasting environmental damage than others.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
