Extractivism is the term used to represent the act of removal of all kinds of material from nature for commercial, personal or industrial purposes.
Extractivism is one of the oldest activities of human beings, which since the beginnings of humanity extract from nature everything they need to survive, such as animals, plants and some ores.
There are several different types of extractivism, the most common being: plant extractivism, mineral extraction it's the animal extractivism.
plant extractivism
Plant extractivism is when the human being removes vegetable products that are present in nature, such as wood, bocharra, saps, wild fruits and so on.
Plant extractivism and agriculture are two completely different definitions. In agriculture, man harvests the products he cultivated and produced, while in extractivism he removes what was created exclusively by nature itself, without human interference.
Find out more about the meaning of agriculture.
mineral extractivism
Mineral extractivism, also known as mining, is one of the most expensive types of extractivism, as special equipment is needed to carry it out.
consist of extraction of materials found inside the earth's crust, which have great economic value and are extremely useful for the maintenance of life on earth.
Some examples: iron, gold, petroleum, copper, aluminum, and many others.
animal extractivism
This type of extractivism involves the hunting and fishing, that is, the pursuit, capture and killing of animals that are found in their natural habitats.
Animal extractivism is acceptable only as a means of human livelihood.
Currently, however, predatory hunting has become an extremely alarming problem for the balance of the environment, causing many species of animals to become extinct.
know more about Endangered species.
Extractivism in Brazil
Extractivism was the first activity carried out by the Portuguese when they arrived in Brazil, during the 16th century.
The most explored material - in addition to gold and other ores - was the brazilwood, a tree that used to extract a reddish pigment, widely used in fabric dyeing, for example.
Currently, plant extraction in Brazil is more present in the northern region of the country, with the extraction of rubber (from rubber trees), nuts and wood.
The main minerals extracted in Brazil are: iron ore, oil, gold, bauxite, among others.
See also the meaning of Brazil wood.
Extractivism in the Amazon
Extractivism in the Brazilian Amazon began to intensify from the mid-eighteenth century onwards, with the growing interest in the so-called “Drogas do Sertão”.
The native Indians and caboclos of this region were, in most cases, obliged to participate in the work of extracting raw materials from the Amazon.
The main products extracted were medicinal plants, cocoa, resins, fish, nuts and rubber.