10 Facts about Oil Palm
We know it contributes to deforestation and kill orangutans, but we need it… Here are 10 facts about oil palm.
1) Oil palm causes deforestation in the tropics
Oil palm strives in the tropics so human beings grow it there. Unfortunately, the tropics are also a biodiversity hotspot with tropical forests and precious wildlife. Farmers and large private companies cut the forest down, destroying habitats rich in biodiversity, to plant oil palm and make profit. There is no other place to cultivate oil palm because it can only grow in the tropics, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. It is estimated that more than half of Indonesian deforestation over the last decade was due to oil palm establishment.
2) Oil palm plantations threaten biodiversity
Oil palm is often planted in a land covered by tropical forests and rich in biodiversity. Tropical forests host many plants and animals, but when oil palm is established, all trees are cut down and animals run away. Oil palm plantations are not as diverse as a primary forest. They have only one kind of tree, all of the same age and height. For this reason, oil palm plantations do not provide as much habitat and resources for wildlife. Few species thrive in…
