Table of contentsIntroductionCurrent statusCausesEffectsSustainable solutionsConclusionBibliographyIntroductionDeforestation is a significant problem that affects many species of animals around the world. This is when humans cut down trees to obtain materials to build structures, use them as firewood, make paper, or clear an area to construct buildings. Orangutans are one of many species threatened due to deforestation. This problem is very important because the few orangutans left in the world are losing their homes and could become extinct very soon. In fact, they are highly endangered and expected to be "...the first great apes to go extinct." The reason I chose this topic is because orangutans are very interesting creatures that I think should be preserved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the Original Essay Current Status Appearance and Anatomy of Orangutans: Orangutans are large, bulky, red-haired apes with a large coat that can grow quite long. They have a lifespan of 35 to 45 years. They have long, flexible arms for climbing trees. “Its powerful arms are among the longest on the market, reaching over seven feet.” Although orangutans have long arms, they have rather short legs - one and a half times shorter than their arms. Orangutans, like most great apes, do not have tails. Additionally, orangutans have flexible, rotating hips allowing them to move more freely. Their shoulders have the same movement capabilities as their hips, making them much more flexible than humans. They are not as strong as gorillas, but they are remarkably strong compared to the average human. Its long fingers help these monkeys climb. Their feet resemble hands, so these monkeys are described as having four hands. Orangutans are sexually dimorphic, meaning each sex has different characteristics. For example, male orangutans often appear with rims (large flaps) on the cheek that are made of "...adipose tissue and then supported by facial muscles." » which generally attracts female orangutans. Male orangutans are "...nearly twice as large as females..." and have a larger sac suspended below their throats to "propel vocalizations long distances in a dense jungle habitat." ". Orangutans have thirty-two teeth (sixteen on each side) and strong jaws that help them eat tough foods and support their omnivorous diet. They also have lips that help them identify the texture of the foods they eat. Orangutans also use their jaws to carry objects when their hands and feet are involved in climbing. Orangutan Behavior: Orangutans are one of humans' closest relatives because they have 97% of the same DNA as humans, making them very similar to humans. . Male orangutans generally prefer to live in solitude. They are accompanied by their partners only for reproduction. Although orangutans are not territorial, male orangutans feel threatened whenever other male orangutans arrive and engage in threatening displays. On the other hand, female orangutans are more social. They typically live with their offspring, "...remaining in almost constant physical contact with them for the first two years of their lives." The femalesOrangutans breed once every 6 to 7 years, each having an average of 4 to 5 young. Females have a gestation period of 259 days. Unlike adult orangutans, young orangutans are very social and bond with same-sex companions. As they age, the males move away and the females settle near their mother. Diet: Orangutans are omnivorous apes, meaning they eat both plants and animals. When orangutans are young, they observe their mother's eating habits and, based on this, develop their own. The main foods in an orangutan's diet are fruits, which make up sixty percent of their diet (Worldatlas, 2018). They prefer to eat fruits with large pulp. “Some of the most commonly eaten fruits by orangutans are ficus, as they are more accessible than other fruits and are also easier to digest. Besides fruits, orangutans also like to consume different parts of plants such as young leaves, flowers and bark. They also eat insects, mainly termites, ants and crickets. Orangutans are considered secondary consumers in the food chain because they primarily consume fruits and insects. Their predators include tigers and leopards. Orangutans play a crucial role in the food chain, as many seeds can only grow if they have been consumed and passed through an animal's digestive system. Therefore, "...when an orangutan eats, it contributes to seed dispersal and forest regeneration." » Habitat: The orangutan is found in Indonesia on two islands: Sumatra and Borneo. Years ago, the orangutan was widespread throughout the world, but today, due to human impact, it is extremely endangered. The orangutan biome is found in the tropical rainforest. This biome is a dense forest with tall trees that orangutans like to climb on. The rainforest also includes a wide variety of different plants and animals. The tropical rainforest experiences heavy rainfall. The temperature in the tropical rainforest averages 24° and precipitation averages 167.5 mm. Causes Decline in the orangutan population: With only 112,200 individuals (Sumatran and Bornean species) in the world, orangutans are one of the most endangered species. in the world. The main reason for this is the human act of deforestation into the rainforest. Trees are cut down, leaving the orangutans nowhere to go and thus dying. The main reason for deforestation is the need for palm oil (used for cooking). Indonesia, where orangutans live, is the largest producer of palm oil. These oil palm plants and wildlife struggle to coexist together, leaving the animals homeless and soon dead. Palm oil production: Along with other factors, palm oil production is one of the main causes of deforestation. In fact, palm oil is responsible for 40% of global deforestation. Palm oil is an essential ingredient in many products such as ice cream, shampoo, chocolate and makeup. Additionally, palm oil is extremely useful in cooking due to its excellent culinary properties. Palm oil is produced from oil palm trees, and Indonesia creates the most with 34.5 million tonnes produced and 25.1 tonnes exported. Since many oil palm trees are being cut down, the forest that provides habitat for the orangutan species is in danger. Even if the effectsare extremely harmful, the profits from palm oil production are considerable and support the economy of tropical countries like Indonesia. This is the main reason why countries destroy their wildlife. This industry will continue to grow, with Indonesia planning to produce over 40 million tonnes of palm oil by 2020 (Dixon, 2016). This leads to increased deforestation and a decrease in orangutan species. Illegal Logging: Illegal logging is the practice of cutting down timber in violation of laws. It is one of the main causes of deforestation. The reason many people get into this industry is because of the income it provides to the less fortunate, but it destroys the livelihood of those who depend on the forest like orangutans. “Indonesia is one of the largest exporters of timber, around 80 percent of which is exported illegally. It is estimated that organized criminals make between $10 billion and $15 billion each year from illegal logging. Given the high profits made from this industry, it is not surprising that the rate of logging is very high. In Indonesia, the rate of illegal logging is at an alarming 40-55%. Overpopulation: Overpopulation is the excessive increase of the human race. As shown in the graph in Figure 12 below, the increase in human population correlates with the increase in deforestation. This is the root of all deforestation problems in the world, because the more humans there are, the greater the need for tree-based materials. This means that trees will be cut down to build roads, houses and more to accommodate a larger human population. The rate of human population increase could dictate the rate of tree felling, unless humans decide to use a more environmentally friendly wood substitute. Mining: Mining involves extracting minerals like diamonds, gold, iron, tin, etc. land usually for sale and manufacture. The reason why many minerals are mined is that huge profits are made from this industry and the government generally prospers. Minerals are very expensive all over the world. The industry is worth nearly a trillion dollars, making it an extremely profitable industry. Although the mining industry appears to have many economic benefits, it has an extremely negative impact on the environment because it causes deforestation. Indeed, to exploit mining, trees and vegetation are cut down to create free space. “Increased mining in tropical forests is compounding the damage due to growing demand and high prices for minerals. » As long as mining remains a large and profitable industry, the rate of deforestation will increase. Natural causes: Not all causes of deforestation are man-made. Forest fires are an example of a natural cause of deforestation. They are caused by high temperatures that light up dry forests. Although tropical forests are generally humid, droughts do occur. Forest fires burn many trees, leaving animals that live there, such as orangutans, homeless. “Wildfires in Brazil and Indonesia contributed to a record loss of global forest cover in 2016, equivalent to the size of New Zealand.” Given that orangutans are found in Indonesia, there is no doubt that many orangutans have been injured. Effects TheDeforestation's biggest effect on orangutans is habitat loss. By 2022, 98% of orangutan habitat on the two islands of Borneo and Sumatra is predicted to be destroyed. If humans continue their destructive behavior, orangutans will become extinct. Besides the destruction of their habitat, other effects include the loss of resources (like food). Since orangutans' diet is plant-based, destroying trees would cause them even more suffering. Additionally, new plants will not be common in the forest because orangutans will not be able to play their important role of seed dispersal. Habitat loss: The rate at which orangutans are losing their homes has only increased, as shown in Figure 16. “Suitable habitat for orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia has declined by more than 80 % over the past 20 years Overcrowded habitat will force the orangutan away, or eventually kill it Food depletion: Another effect of deforestation that is causing orangutans to suffer in the forest. tropical is the depletion of food As previously stated, the orangutans' diet is plant-based, which means that a good portion must be found in trees Since trees are cut down, as well. than food, this would leave fewer food options for orangutans, thus killing them Lack of seed dispersal: A critical role that orangutans play in the rainforest is seed dispersal. produced when seeds are distributed throughout the forest, and orangutans do this daily. When orangutans eat different plants and fruits, seeds are found in their droppings (see Figure 18). If orangutans don't do the work that makes them a cornerstone of the ecosystem, large amounts of flora species will also disappear. Sustainable solutions Going paperless: reducing paper consumption at home, in schools and in the office would ultimately reduce the rate of deforestation. Paper is the reason why 35% of trees are harvested and if this number was reduced it could easily reduce the rate of deforestation. Many different schools have already launched a “paperless classroom” initiative, using technology and smart devices, like laptops, instead of textbooks and paper. These types of classrooms have been widely encouraged as a step toward solving the problem of deforestation. Replanting trees that have been cut down: Trees are already being planted, however, the number of trees planted still does not match the number of trees cut down. If a tree was planted for every tree cut, it would help end deforestation. Although there is the downside that trees typically take 20-30 years to fully grow, meaning this solution is not effective immediately, it could help our future generations solve this problem and ensure a future greener. Although there are laws in place regarding forest clearing, they are not enforced as much as they should be. Countries like Indonesia, where 80% of deforestation is done illegally, need to adopt stricter and more enforced laws against deforestation. In the United States, a law called the Lacey Act prevents the United States from purchasing illegally logged timber from outside. This has helped reduce the rate of deforestation; however, other countries continue to purchase wood from other countries, whether illegal or not. If every country adopted such laws, deforestation would decrease at a high rate and orangutans would be saved. Support them 2017,.