Final answer:
Deforestation in boreal forests is largely driven by wood production, legal and illegal logging, and wildfires. In tropical forests, traditional drivers such as subsistence agriculture have given way to large-scale agricultural expansion and extractive industries, stimulated by global markets and the rise in biofuel demand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Drivers of Deforestation in Boreal and Tropical Forests
A major driver of deforestation in boreal forests is the demand for wood products. Areas like Siberia have seen rapid increases in both legal and illegal logging activities, serving as a significant source of timber exports, notably to China, the largest timber importer. In Canada, extensive areas of boreal forest are allocated for wood production and are also vulnerable to frequent wildfires, further contributing to habitat loss.
In tropical forests, deforestation is primarily driven by large-scale agricultural pursuits. Initially, it was subsistence farming, rural development policies, and population growth catalyzing deforestation. Over time, changes in rural demographics and the decline of frontier colonization programs have somewhat stabilized the impacts of these factors.
However, compelling new drivers such as global financial markets and commodity booms have shifted the pressure towards large-scale, private sector-led activities, including corporate agriculture, ranching, and tree plantations. The rising demand for biofuels and higher living standards in developing countries are significant stimulants to this trend. Logging, along with mining and petroleum development, although indirect contributors, facilitate road construction and subsequent access for colonists and hunters, precipitating further deforestation.