Final answer:
Old volcanic islands like New Zealand have faced significant deforestation due to human settlement and agricultural activities, which alter climate patterns and biodiversity, contributing to what's known as an 'ecological meltdown'.
Step-by-step explanation:
An old volcanic island like New Zealand has historically shown a significant impact on deforestation, primarily due to human activities such as agriculture. The demand for agricultural land often leads to the clearing of forests to create space for crops, which in turn impacts rainfall patterns, biodiversity, and can lead to an ecological meltdown. As seen in other regions, such as Central America and Indonesia, large-scale agricultural operations and the demand for commodities like palm oil and biofuels have become primary drivers of tropical deforestation. Additionally, in developing economies, a lack of funding for environmental protection and the need for natural resources can hamper conservation efforts, exacerbating the effects of deforestation.