A review of environmental issues in natural rubber production.

The environmental impact of natural rubber production from Hevea brasiliensis, an economically important crop for millions of small growers in tropical countries, is reviewed. The establishment of rubber plantations after forest clearing allows for permanent soil conservation measures such as terracing of hills and drainage of swamps as well as development of mixed under-storey vegetation. The utilization of rubberwood after the productive life of the tree is over reduces the pressure for logging in primary forest areas. H. brasiliensis culture is a sustainable, renewable agro-forestry system with a closed nutrient ecosystem and a planting cycle of approximately 30 years. The biomass accumulation of a mature Hevea ecosystem is equivalent to that of native rain forest systems, therefore it is likely that the levels of carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapour recycled in rubber plantations are approximately equal to those in rain forests. Production of the rubber polymer molecule within H. brasiliensis trees is by the non-polluting process of photosynthesis. It is concluded that compared with synthetic rubber production which consumes petroleum feedstock in large, energy intensive, manufacturing plants, natural rubber is an environmentally friendlyindustrial raw material.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Goldthorpe, C.C, autor. aut 46453, Tan, L.I. 56636, Tan, Layim. 56637
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	d
Subjects:	Caucho., Ecosistema., Erosión., Medio ambiente., Plantaciones., Sistemas de explotación., Sostenibilidad., Subproductos.,
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