Deforestation
Deforestation is the destruction of the trees on a forested area and the conversion of that land to non forest usage, but the concept is far more than that. Forests have been disappearing since Man first walked the Earth. From cutting down the first trees to provide firewood to clearing entire areas of forested land to create new settlements, for building purposes and simply to create more viable land for agricultural purposes, forests have always been at the mercy of mankind. Yet it is only over the last few decades that the world has begun to realize the damage that it does not only to delicate ecosystems, but to the planet as a whole.
In the 21st century the world's forests are rather unevenly distributed. The ten countries which actually account for two thirds of the world's remaining total forested areas are the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States, China, Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru and India. This marks a massive deduction from the amount of land that it is estimated was once forested across the world but it still accounts for about 30 percent of the world’s surface area. Despite the knowledge that the deliberate deforestation of the world's forests causes a great deal of harm the practice continues.
Exact figures when it comes to the rate of modern deforestation can be hard to come by, especially in less explored areas of Amazonian rain forest and Western Africa. Recent satellite imagery has seemed to suggest that the rate of destruction of the rainforest could be as much as 23% faster than ecologists had predicted while the deforestation in Western Africa may have been exaggerated but still a cause for concern.
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[edit] Deforestation a serious issue
Ecologists and environmental scientists have estimated that a massive 80 percent of all the different species of life that are on Earth - including some that are believed to exist but have yet to be officially “discovered” - live in the rain forests of the Amazon Basin, the Congo and Indonesia. The deforestation occurring in these regions wipes out many of these species critical habitats, destroys entire ecosystems and is believed may lead to the total extinction of many of the lifeforms that live in the tropical rain forests. Deforestation also contributes to global warming with tropical deforestation slid to account for about 20% of all dangerous greenhouse gases. There is even a very real economic and social aspect to deforestation. At the 2008 Convention on Biological Diversity in Bonn, Germany the experts in attendance warned that deforestation and damage to other ecosystems and environmental systems could cut the standard of living for the world's poor by as much as 50% and slash the global gross domestic product by as much as 7%
[edit] Reasons
There are a number of different reasons that deforestation occurs - some completely separate, some interconnected. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) state that the most common direct cause of deforestation is agriculture. Subsistence farming is allegedly responsible for 48% of deforestation; whereas commercial agriculture is responsible for 32% of deforestation; logging is responsible for some 14% of deforestation and fuel wood removals make up roughly 5% of deforestation. Here are some of the most common reasons that trees are felled:
- Agriculture and cattle-raising - Farmers destroy forests in order to create land for planting of crops or livestock grazing, both for small-scale farming and also farming on an industrial scale. Often many small farmers will clear a small area of land to feed their families, cutting down trees and setting fire to them in a process commonly known as “slash and burn”. One of the more devastating occurrences is intensive cattle grazing. This may prevent the growth of young trees and shrubs, which would otherwise help to naturally repopulate deforested areas. Once the trees have been removed the land is often overgrazed, resulting in soil becoming exposed, in turn resulting in desertification as the soil is removed by natural forces such as wind or flooding.
- Logging - Commercial logging supplies the global market with desirable woods of many different species and contributes to destroys these trees, as well as larger areas of forests for access and removal of these trees. It is believed that up to 11 million acres a year are lost to logging.
- Fires - Forest fires can be started naturally or are often started deliberately (see slash and burn above) and are becoming more common as temperatures rise and areas are subjected to drought. Some believe that this is as a result of climate change. Large areas can be destroyed extremely quickly, threatening not only forests but also crops and nearby settlements. In recent years forest fires have caused huge damage in places like Australia and California.
- Dams and large infrastructure projects - Development projects, for example dams, roads, highways, and other industrial or infrastructure projects can also give rise to deforestation, whether immediately or thought their outputs. Some people believe that building these structures can not only have a negative environmental impact, but in addition also opens up the area to additional loggers and more roads and potential usage. Local people are often displaced by dams and similar megaprojects, which can result in further deforestation through resettlement.
- Mining - There are many precious metals in rainforests including gold, zinc, copper and diamonds. Recent troubles in the Congo, which some say are in part due to mining pressures, have resulted in huge tracts of deforestation. Mining results in large areas being cleared for extraction and transportation process. Gold mining, for example, is one of the main causes of deforestation in the Amazon.
- Plantations. Huge plantations for biofuel have been planted and other commercial timber or agriculture result in deforestation.
- Oil and Gas. Like mining, oil and gas projects and pipelines can have a significant effect on deforestation.
- Fuel - It was estimated by the UNEP that the global removal of wood for timber and fuel amounted to 3.1 billion cubic meters in 2005.
- One rather more controversial reason for deforestation is simply poverty. Countries with a per capita GDP of at least US$4,600, net deforestation rates have ceased to increase, leading us to believe that those with a lower GDP are more likely to suffer increasing deforestation.
[edit] Impact
[edit] Erosion of soil
When forest areas are cleared, the soil can be exposed to the sun and air, making it dry and often infertile, as a result of vital nutrients such as nitrogen being reduced. In addition, rain can wash away these soil nutrients, causing them to flow with the rainwater off the land and into water systems. As a result, merely replanting will often not help in solve the problems caused by initial deforestation, since as these trees mature, the soil could be totally lacking in essential nutrients, meaning that it will take significantly more effort and time to regenerate the land. Ultimately, the land may become infertile and therefore useless, meaning that a once rich area is not only deforested but loses its biodiversity. Large areas are currently impoverished due to soil erosion and there has been huge difficulty regenerating this land.
[edit] Disruption of the Water Cycle
Trees contribute toward maintaining the water cycle. They draw up water through their roots, which, alongside other gases such as oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Much of the water that circulates in the rainforest ecosystem also stays within the plants. When vegetation is cut down, it can result in a more arid climate.
[edit] Loss of Biodiversity
Forests are some of the most biodiverse places on the planet. This, often unique biodiversity, can be lost through deforestation. For example, even though tropical rainforest constitutes just 6 percent of the Earth's surface area, they contain about 80-90 percent of the planet's animal species. As a result of deforestation, we believe that about 50 to 100 species of animals are being lost for good each day. This has significant effects on the biodiversity, as well as on potential discoveries which might assist with the treatment of illness, for example.
[edit] Flooding and Drought
One of the forests primary functions is absorbing and storing huge amounts of water quickly during heavy rains and storms. When forests are deforested, the flow of water is disrupted, leading to alternating periods of flood and then drought in the affected area.
[edit] Climate change
Some believe the evidence is clear that deforestation significantly contributes to climate change - deforestation as well as forest degradation are seen both a cause and a result of climate change. Plants absorb carbon dioxide for their growth - the UNEP claims that the world's forests store 283 gigatonnes of carbon-dioxide. When these plants decay or burn as a result of deforestation, carbon dioxide is inevitably released again, permanently. In addition, decaying plants produce methane, a greenhouse gas that is even more damaging.
If this theory is correct, deforestation and forest degradation are doubly damaging, because of these greenhouse gases that are released (for example, through forest fires, or through using the cut trees as firewood), while simultaneously the number of carbon dioxide absorbing trees are reduced. 30% of the carbon dioxide that is added to the earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is thought to have been as a result of deforestation, and 20% of greenhouse gasses - but this is a small amount in comparison with what is still retained in forest ecosystems. For example, it is believed that the Canadian and Russian boreal forests alone hold 40 percent of the world's carbon stocks.
[edit] Silting
Deforestation can results in the silting of rivers sediments deposit, which can clog irrigation systems. As a result of deforestation, the reservoirs behind many dams can become filled with sediments more rapidly than expected, resulting in a loss of life within those reservoirs.
[edit] Landslides
The roots of the trees can help to bind soil and add mass to the bedrock underlying it. When trees are uprooted, it reduces the natural bonding of the soil, thus increasing the danger of landslides, which can cause serious problems.
[edit] Fires and droughts
Changes in temperature ranges and precipitation can significantly harm forests. Droughts and resulting forest fires are expected to increase as a result of climate change. Forest fires can be a normal, natural part of forest life - they clear dense brush and are part of some species' inherited life-cycle. However, forests that become stressed by significant human activity and drought can also be devastated by forest fires, resulting in massive deforestation. There are already indications that the Amazon is slowly drying, which could in the future lead to a dangerous large fires and desertification.
[edit] Changing of Species
Invasive insect species may also contribute to damage forest health. Insects play a role in boreal ecology, for example they decompose litter, supply food for birds and small animals, and eliminate diseased trees, as well as helping pollinate. But insect attacks from new species are likely to increase in frequency and intensity as established forests as they succumb to the physiological stress associated with warmer, drier conditions. For example, as the Arctic warms, some invasive insect species, which the colder climate normally helps hold in check, are already increasing in population.
[edit] Facts and Figures
- Deforestation is said to occur at a rate of about 50,000 square miles (129,499 square kilometers) annually.
- Africa and South America suffer the largest loss of forest worldwide.
- Tropical rainforests are said to be home to more than 50% of all species on the planet.
- The world's forests store a whopping 283 gigatons of carbon. However, this decreases by 1.1 gigatons annually due to deforestation.
- 84 percent of the world's forests are publicly owned, yet many are poorly managed.
- The main cause of deforestation is human activity.
- Only 11 percent of the world's forests are designated for conservation.
[edit] Solutions and Mitigation
There are a number of different solutions to preventing [deforestation http://www.effects-of-deforestation.com], but first we must understand the reasons for deforestation. In addition it is clear there are areas where change can occur more widely and significantly.
Additionally, much pressure has been put on the developing world, where many of the forests are still primarily untouched. However, there has been some kick back from these countries, who feel that many 'developed' countries cut down their forests some time ago and benefitted greatly from this deforestation - therefore it is hypocritical to deny developing countries from the same opportunities.
[edit] Reforestation
Many countries in the world have started introducing reforestation and forestry, and East Asian nations are leading in this regard. Many East Asian countries, including China, have successfully managed to reverse some deforestation. For an example of a fantastic project based in Kenya, for which the person responsible was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, see the [www.greenbeltmovement.org Green Belt Movement]. Reforestation is said to be more important in the southern hemisphere due to favorable growing conditions. For example, plantations in the south can produce 10–20 cubic metres of wood per hectare per year, considerably more than plantations in most northern temperate regions and 10–20 times the typical productivity of natural forests worldwide
[edit] Legislation
Making suitable and significant changes in the law, so that cutting trees in a forest area becomes much more regulated and difficult could not only lead to deforestation being controlled, but its flow may also be eventually reversed. Wildlife Sanctuary is very important, not only to save wildlife, but to save vegetation as well.
- Incentive to Corporates: Tax cuts could be granted to corporations, in order to get them actively interested in reforestation. The Carbon credit system might be helping to make reforestation rather than deforestation more valuable.
- Commercial Forest Plantations: Special forest plantations can be introduced. This way the wood can be cut in a controlled and regulated environment.
- Water Management: Improper water management affects deforestation. If the wildlife doesn't have water, then the entire ecosystem can suffer. Large infrastructure projects should be carefully managed and maintained so as to ensure that the net impact is not negative.
[edit] Reducing Deforestation
The United Nations(UN) took the first step towards reducing Deforestation and the UNEP have a project to replant a billion trees. Besides the U.N., there also are dozens of nonprofits working to combat deforestation.
A few well-known organizations include:
- Conservation International -- teaches local farmers how to maximize their existing land, rather than clear new areas
- The World Wildlife Fund -- works to shape policies and teams with communities to preserve forests.
- Rainforest Action Network -- uses in-your-face advertising campaigns to call attention to the rainforests
- The Environmental Defense Fund -- champions government bills that provide financial incentive to private landowners (such as farmers) who practice land conservation
- The Sierra Club -- works to protect and restore U.S. forests
- Amazon Watch -- defends the rights of indigenous people and communities faced with industrial development
- The Nature Conservancy -- has developed several initiatives to advance conservation
In the meantime, new movements in forest protection have sprung up over the years. They include:
- Eco-forestry -- where only carefully selected trees are cut down and are transported with minimal damage to the area; the forest ecosystem is preserved while commercial timber extraction is still permitted
- Green business -- focuses on recycled paper and wood products, wood alternatives and environmentally responsible consumeris
- Land use planning -- advocates environmentally friendly development techniques, such as reduction of urban and suburban sprawl.
- Community forestry -- where concerned citizens come together to manage and participate in keeping their local forests viable and sustainable
