Study the table below, which shows the main economic activities contributing to tree cover loss in a tropical rainforest region between 2016 and 2023.
| Economic Activity | Percentage share of forest canopy loss (%) | Primary environmental impact |
|---|---|---|
| Large-scale Cattle Ranching | 62% | Complete clear-felling, soil compaction, pasture degradation, high methane emissions |
| Commercial Soy Cultivation | 18% | Soil compaction, heavy chemical pesticide run-off, complete monoculture replacement |
| Commercial Logging (Legal & Illegal) | 10% | Canopy fragmentation, collateral damage to non-target trees, access road creation |
| Hydroelectric Power (Dams & Reservoirs) | 6% | Flooding of vast forest basins, rotting vegetation (methane release), aquatic habitat disruption |
| Open-cast Mineral Mining | 4% | Deep topsoil stripping, toxic heavy metal siltation of river networks, local biodiversity eradication |
‘The scale of deforestation caused by an economic activity in the tropical rainforest does not necessarily reflect the severity and permanence of its environmental impact.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
