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Deforestation - Man's SinModern predictions and indicators paint a bleak outlook for the planet and
unfortunately it is all due to human actions. Deforestation and the spread of barren,
arid and useless land is increasing in pace and we are the only ones who can call it
to a halt. Modern predictions and indicators paint a bleak outlook for the planet andunfortunately it is all due to human actions. Deforestation and the spread of barren,
arid and useless land is increasing in pace and we are the only ones who can call it
to a halt. The questions that need answering quickly before it is too late are how and
when. When is obvious, unless we act immediately we will be too late, how is less
clear but unless we find the answers soon then we could find ourselves left with
nothing but a arid infertile desert of a planet and sooner than you might think. The
questions that need answering quickly before it is too late are how and when. When
is obvious, unless we act immediately we will be too late, how is less clear butunless we find the answers soon then we could find ourselves left with nothing but a
arid infertile desert of a planet and sooner than you might think.
Perhaps we can blame
the men who cut down
or burn huge swathes
of forest and watch the
animals flee to die ofstarvation after their
home and food supply
has been destroyed, or
those
who profit from their actions. Only someone who was insane would do such a thing
surely? You certainly wouldn't want to be associated with those that were involved in such
wholesale destruction and slaughter and certainly wouldn't be involved yourself,
Deforestation for ProfitForests contain many valuable natural resources and the land they cover is also valuable
to an ever-increasing human population. People have been making use of these resources
since we first appeared. Deforestation is a way of making a living, the timber can be sold,
and the land can be used for growing crops or grazing herds or to provide land for homes
and businesses. Why is this allowed to happen? Those people that are entrusted by us
with the planet are those who are destroying it. Governments give permits and
licenses to those who have the money to buy them they then strip the land and
make their money. The governments are often poor and the land is more valuableto large corporations than used for conservation and tourism. But these
governments are selling off the planets life support system and that cannot
continue.
www.effects-of-deforestation.com
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Deforestation & Agriculture
Tropical rainforest removal is primarily caused by the need for agricultural land. This
trend is on the rise, with sectors of forests becoming spaces of crops in South America.
The concern in the region of South America is that the forest will be gone within 250
years . Tropical rainforests are being depleted at alarming rates in an attempt to feed the
worlds populous: agriculture is noted as accounting for almost 90 percent of all
deforestation in the tropics . Current estimates by the UN place South America at losing
over four million hectares annually (Sample); this reality of landscape change is
guaranteed to affect the sustenance of life. The removal of rainforest for farmland creates
a precarious tip in the global scale, effects of which are preventable with a sustainable
mindset.
Between 2000 and 2005, over 27.2 million hectares of rainforest was cleared in thetropics to create space for farming; all in an effort to increase agricultural yield
from the Earths landscape (Sample). In third world countries: deforestation acts as
a cheaper equivalent to a good dose of fertilizer for increased agricultural
production in the near term. The question then lies in the sustainability of this
human-created perception: the necessity to convert forested land into harvested
areas. Figure 2.3.1 reveals the millions of hectares of rainforest removed for
farmland in recent years. The red areas reveal the reduction in forest cover by a half
between 2000 and 2005. The image is only an estimate of deforestation, showingwhere areas of forest have been removed and not replaced. This does not include
areas of logging or replanting or general degradation of the South American forests
(Sample).
NASA earth observatory states: The single biggest direct cause of tropical
deforestation is conversion to cropland and pasture. This regards subsistence:
where small scale farmers use the land for crops or livestock in an effort to survive
on a day to day basis. This action has dominated deforestation in the past but nowindustrial-scale activities are having a more widespread impact. Cattle ranching and
soybean production in the Amazon is contributing to both world markets and the
removal of trees (Lindsey). Government policies and subsidies sadly also work to
encourage forest loss. Brazil, containing about two thirds of the Amazons
rainforest, is a prime example of the affect of subsistence farming and government
benefits. Its production of soybeans replaces the value of forests with land capable
of exporting goods. This monetary gain cannot be sustained in economic terms:
though Brazil has a place on the world agriculture markets, it is in a decliningrelationship with the land. Total opportunity cost is neglected in the pursuit for
short-term gain.
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Land Conversion
Tropical soils have a limited capacity to store nutrients. Almost all of the soil
fertility comes from the natural, overlying, vegetation: in the live plants and the
decomposed organic layer on the ground. The wet, warm and shaded nature of the
forest is the perfect setting for fungi and bacteria. These organisms almostimmediately decompose any fallen or deceased species found on the topsoil, and
regenerate it, providing a constant recycling of precious organic compounds.
However, unlike preferred farmland, where nutrient filled soil can extend down
several feet, tropical topsoil is quite thin. Beneath the layer of fertile soil lies a deep
bed of clay. When deforestation takes place for agriculture, and other purposes, the
sun quickly dries out and kills the bacteria and fungi. This leaving the farmers a
short period of one or two seasons, to plant their crops before harsh rains and hot
temperatures erode the topsoil and expose the useless clay. The brief period ofgrowth produces such great results that it is beneficial for these farmers to use the
land until it can bear no more and move on to the next deforested spot. In
deforesting an area, farmers tend to burn the vegetation ground cover, including
trees, in the popular slash-and-burn method. This produces a fertilizing ash layer,
but also eliminates the nutrient reservoir and increases the effects of flooding and
erosion in the area. The soil eventually becomes unsuitable for farming and is
further reduced to pasture land. This lessens the chance of forest recovery, as the
land is now also compacted under the hooves of cattle (Lindsey). Figure 2.3.2 (1)shows pasture in what was once an area of forests, in the Amazon.
Deforestation in most areas currently produces favourable yields: aided by the
layers of ash from burned vegetation, resulting in the positive relationship between
natural biomass and agricultural production . However, it is evident that rainforest
removal reduces the potential of farmland: as tropical soils reflect the nutrients of
their surrounding tree canopies, root structures, decaying ground cover, and living
vegetation. The balance between the fragile topsoil and the forest comes crashingdown with the removal of the trees; erosion becomes an issue and declining
agricultural yields result.
Converting large areas of forest to agriculture affects the water cycle. This process
in which water evaporates, or transpires off plants, then condenses into clouds and
falls as precipitation, occurs in relative proximity to its location of origin. Almost
thirty percent of the rainfall received in the rainforest is moisture which the tropical
forests previously recycled into the earths atmosphere (Lindsey).
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Evaporation cools the surface of the Earth just as perspiring reduces bodytemperature in humans. With this reaction, if deforestation continues at todayspace, science predicts the tropics will experience future climates that are drier andhotter. Such a change affects not only ecosystems but can be applied to the globalscale and balance. Desertification is a threat to any land reacting to natural orhuman induced vegetation removal. The assisted process that leaves the land
deprived of nutrients and cover and through erosion and increased temperatures,deserts result. The tropics turning into a Sahara would devastate the biodiversity,inhabitants and climate, leaving food production to scramble for land elsewhere tomeet the need of a growing world population. Forests have utmost value in theirupright position, not only as timber and agricultural land providers.
Sustainable ExpanseEstimates place South America at losing 0.4 percent of its tropical rainforestsannually . Agricultures contribution to the world amounts to nourishment throughoccupied and harvested space. Planting in the rainforest involves removing trees,planting, reaching maximum yield, exhausting the soil, and destroying entireecosystems. The leftover landscape is barren and unable to support much life. In
this way, cost of agriculture in the forests of South America outweighs the return inthe long term: The current situation in which the cheap forest biomass is the
primary input in agricultural production in the tropics is not sustainableSustainable is a label worth having, with its expense paid in full for futuregenerations, aiding the health and balance of the globe.Sustainability, in regards to deforestation by agricultural expansion in SouthAmerica, lies in the application of the precautionary principle. Precautions towardsthe effects of tree removal and change in land use include increased research andawareness and government participation. Alternatives to large scale agriculture andtimber harvesting include taking the forest at face value: conservatively utilizing itsresources but maintaining the vegetation diversity and structure.
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Shade farming is an encouraged sustainable alternative to clear-cutting and burning.
Technologies to improve the way areas are farmed, would work to increase yield,
and continue to provide for the growing demand. Sustainable techniques would not
equate to an immediate increase in agricultural yield, but guaranteed in the long
term. Actions would also result in the preservation of the rainforest; its species and
surroundings.
Agricultural development is necessary wherever possible on Earth, especially with
projected population growth. However, this does not entitle farmers and
governments to act on the ideology of by whatever means necessary. With a
precautionary mindset, actions include developing sustainable agriculture
production. Goals include:Improving economic well-being of inhabitants without
risking future needs
Utilizing resources in a manner that does not degrade them
Using resources to promote equity and social justice
Maintaining biological and ecosystem diversity
Improving the quality of the environment for the future
www.effects-of-deforestation.com
THE EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION ON OUR
ENVIRONMENT TODAY
a) Demand for land for cultivation.This has been seen both in Kenya and other parts of the world especially
countries that have Agriculture as the backbone of their economy. Trees have
been cut down to obtain land for cultivation of both subsistence and cash
crops, both by governments and individuals.
b) Need for firewood
People, especially those who live in rural areas where electricity and gas are
unavailable, resort to use of firewood as a source of heat. Here, wood is cut
down and burnt.c) Need for land to build industries
industries require a lot of land and while industrialization is important for
every country, it is the bane of large tracts of forest. People need jobs in order
to provide for their daily needs.
d) Need for land to build houses
With the worldwide increase in population, land to build houses for people to
live in is very much required.e) Need for wood for furniture, pencils, paper e.t.c
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Whereas the above needs are important and have to be satisfied, cutting down trees
is not the most probable solution to these problems. Why? This is because, most
people who cut down trees do not plant others in their place. Also, if all the above
needs are to be met by cutting down of trees, even planting two for every tree cut
will not prevent desertification. This is because trees take so long to grow and
mature, especially so for hard wood trees. Deforestation has the following dangers:
Destruction of carbon sinks:Carbon sinks are huge stores of carbon, e.g. Swamps and forests
Soil Erosion:
Deforestation makes soil prone to erosion by agents such as wind and water. The
roots of trees hold the particles of soil together thus, preventing the fertile top soil
from being carried away. Soil erosion leads to loss of productivity of the land due to
loss of mineral nutrients and soil microorganisms
Destruction of animal habitats:
Apart from domesticated animals and marine and fresh water animals, all otheranimals need forests as their habitats. These forests do not only provide a place for
the animals to roam day but also provide their food and act as a source of protection
from predators through camouflage. Destruction of the animals habitats literally
kills the animals.
Medicinal Plants:
Some trees are used as herbs. Trees such as the Cinchona have been used as
treatment against Malaria since time immemorial. Destruction of these forests leads
to destruction of medicinal plants that could be used as treatment for variousailments.
Trees act as windbreakers:
Absence of these trees enables strong winds and or storms e.g. Hurricanes and
Tornados. I write this in the wake of a Tsunami at the Indonesian coast where about
150 people have just lost their lives. Hurricanes like Katrina are still fresh in our
memories. I cannot over emphasize this point.
Greenhouse effect and global warming:
Nature balances the flow of energy and nutrients. Forests plan a very vital role inthese cycles e.g. the carbon cycle where deforestation causes carbon dioxide to
remain in the atmosphere. Accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts
as a blanket that traps long wave radiation of heat and prevents it from escaping the
surface of the earth back into the atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the
greenhouse effect. The trapped radiation is converted into heat. This heat causes
global warming.
Destruction of forests also causes modification of climate of an area mostly leading
to desertification and aridity.
www.tigweb.org
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Deforestation and Climate Change
Throughout history forests have spread and retreated as the environment changed now
they are fast disappearing. They shelter the vast majority of land animals and hold
most of the land biodiversity. These beautiful and complex ecosystems are essential to
the environment and help to regulate the atmosphere. Hence deforestation and climate
change are closely connected and have the ability to control one another.
Unfortunately the
forests, which should be
our first line of defense
against rising carbondioxide levels, are
vanishing rapidly. 80%
of our previously
forested areas are gone
drastically reducing the
planets ability to absorb
carbon dioxide and
contributing to the high
levels of the green housegas by releasing it
after being cut down making the situation worse. The fact that deforestation can
further affect the atmosphere should stir us into action to prevent any further reduction
in the world's forests. We will just be adding to the devastating effects of climate
change if we don't take action to stop further deforestation.
Major Carbon Storehouses
It has become increasingly apparent that forests play a vital role in climate control by
storing carbon and water and recycling it. It is a fact that the destruction of green
area is a contributory factor in climate change and eliminates their ability to
regulate the climate. It has been estimate the 18% of all carbon emissions
come from deforestation and we are effectively turning our prize weapon
against global warming against ourselves instead.
Mature forests are the largest stores of carbon dioxide though all plants store
carbon. Other stores include the soil, vegetation frozen underneath the arctic
permafrost even the algae in the sea. The world largest forests such as the
Amazon represent our largest carbon stores, it's destruction would undoubted
lead to quick and devastating climate change.
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Climate Change
A combination of deforestation
and the burning of fossil fuels
releasing much larger amounts
of carbon dioxide in theatmosphere than would occur
naturally whilst simultaneously
disabling the planets ability to
absorb and cope with this
influx in green house gases has
lead to the current climate
changes and noticeable global
warming. The main effects of
of climate change have been a rise in temperature throughout the year leading to
widespread environmental change species moving their ranges further north to follow the
increase in temperature. Melting of the polar icecaps leading to a reduction in range for
polar species. A consequent rise in sea levels leading to flooding of low lying land. More
violent and extreme weather systems leading to the devastation of affected areas and
causing huge loss of life.
This isn't a prediction of what will happen in the future it's happening now and maybe
irreversible already. So now a immediate damage limitation exercise need to take place to
ensure the climate doesn't get out of control this has to involve the protection andrestoration of the worlds forests
Amazon Rainforest Deforestation
The Amazon is the largest and
most incredible of the world's
rainforests.
Where is the Amazon
rainforest?Located in northern part of
South America it spans 9
different countries including
60% of Brazil.The Amazon
basin is a giant record-breaking
river system, it's waterways
densely crowded by trees, plant
and
animal life. The diversity and scale of the Amazon rainforest is difficult to imagine. Only
a tiny fraction of the plant and animals species which live there have been seen by
humans and even fewer recorded by science.
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It is so huge that the atmosphere of the planet would change dramatically if it were
destroyed. It takes in so much carbon dioxide that it is currently the largest factor in
preventing global warming. However with more and more of the Amazon being
destroyed by deforestation this may change.
The effects of loosing the Amazon on the planet would be on scale simply incomparable
to current figures on climate change. The massive levels of carbon dioxide released
would cause the planets temperature to rocket causing untold catastrophe.
The Roots of Deforestation in the Amazon
Every year gigantic areas of the Amazon are cut down or burned to make way for agriculture.
Small farmers do it to provide food for an impoverished people whilst large companies do it on
a much larger scale. Logging also plays a huge part on a small scale locals use the wood to
build and to use as fuel whilst large companies again do the same on a much larger scale.
Local use of the forest doesn't have much impact and the clearer areas grow back quickly once
left but the large scale destruction by big corporations has a lasting effect in permanently
reducing the forest in size and splitting it in to smaller and smaller remnants. This causes
animal and plant species that can never be brought back to become extinct as their habitat
changes or is destroyed. The massive demands these companies make mean that the land is
quickly depleted and little can grow or recover on this land. Humans can have a devastating
effect on the environment.
The Outcome of Deforestation in the Amazon
The Amazon is a unique and vital
natural resource, where will we get
wood once it and forests like it are
gone. We need to work with nature in a
sustainable way to preserve the
wonders and life giving properties of
this ecosystem.
The destruction of the Amazon would
result in widespread flooding (worlds
largest river system and flood plain),
massive climate change resulting in the
deaths of millions and the vast
resources and natural treasures of the
Amazon (most not yet discovered) being lost. Including plants with medicinal properties,
which may hold the key to curing many currently difficult to treat illnesses. The Amazon
protects not only from floods but drought, soil erosion and thus famine.
The homes of the tribal people who live there will also be lost, some previously
unknown tribes. People who have had no contact with the modern world were
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recently seen shooting arrows at a plane that went overhead, they too will be
affected and could loose their home and way of life.
Finally we will loose one of the worlds most spectacular natural wonders leaving
the world a poorer place for our descendants if they manage to survive in the
changed planet we leave behind.
Deforestation Facts
The Planet's forests and
woodlands are under and ever
increasing pressure from
deforestation, to provide timber
for the lumber and paper trades.
Land for development,
agriculture as well as activitiessuch as mining and hydropower.
These pressures show no sign of
stopping or slowing down.
Such activities threaten the way
of life of the indigenous peoples
and the lives of the dazzling array
of plants and animals that
live there causing extinction on a massive scale. So why is deforestation on the increase?Greed and the need to feed and provide for an ever-increasing human population. Yet there
is such waste if we used the world's resources sustainably we could provide plenty for all
and still protect the balance of nature. But while once fertile land turns to dust, we cut
down more forests to replace it and we have only ourselves to blame.
Nature strikes back in a variety of ways, fires, storms, cyclones, flooding and drought are
just a few, yet we are the cause of it all, nature is simply responding to the conditions we
create by releasing carbon dioxide. Forests provide protection from these disasters by
taking in green house gasses, slowing down climate change yet we still cut them down
hastening our own demise. Forests are also instrumental in preventing flooding and
drought by acting as sponges that absorb water when there is a lot and are able to retain it
when there is little.
The Truth of how our Forests Disappear
We are destroying the last of our precious natural resources, just as we are beginning to
wake up to how vital they are. Rainforest once covered 14% of the land now it's down to
a mere 6%.Scientists predict that the rest could disappear in less than 40 years.
Thousands of acres are cut down each second with dire consequences for thecountries involved and the planet as a whole. rest could disappear in less than 40
years. Thousands of acres are cut down each second with dire consequences for the
countries involved and the planet as a whole.www.effects-of-deforestation.com
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groups of plant species) and as
these plants disappear before
science can record them so does
the opportunity to gain useful
knowledge and possible medical
cures.
Currently 121 registered drugsare produced from plants, 25% of
pharmaceutical ingredients come
from forests, yet not even 1% of
the world's flora has been tested
for medicinal properties and we
are rapidly loosing the chance to
do so. 50% of the world's flora and fauna is thought to be vulnerable to extinction in the
near future.
Mankind's Drive to save Nature
If we don't stop abusing nature then its total annihilation (us included) is the only
possible outcome. Yet nature is resilient and the possibility of repairing the damage is
within our reach if only we take the big steps necessary to make amends.
Sustainable use of the world's forests will allow nature and it's life-giving properties to
flourish whilst providing everything we need. Balancing the needs of every living thing
with capitalism is never easy but even the greediest corporation has to sit up and listen if
we make a stand. It will be too late when resources start to dry up so dont wait for
governments and big corporations to get on board but support the green moment now.
We are now aware of the damage our actions are having and it will be our biggest test to
see if we can change in time to save the planet. The Earth can provide for us endlessly if
only we work with her and not against.
How to Stop Deforestation
Satellite images of what until only a few years ago was a rich and abundant rainforest
teaming with life, thousands of creatures per square meter, some rare, some endangered,
some never seen by human eyes. Now show nothing but a deserted and desolate arid
wasteland upon which little grows next to a track that heavy trucks use to cart timber and
equipment from the remaining patch of forest now miles away. The statistics are equally
desolate 80% of all forested areas have been compromised since 2003. As deforestation
continues unabated the remaining pockets of forest get smaller and smaller and
more widely dispersed. Controlling deforestation is a divisive issue. We can plot the
rate of the rainforests disappearance, but are we simply plotting our own demise. If
we are no careful we may find nature flourishing without us there to witness it.
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Only now are we waking up to the fact
that we need to do something and fast
as it may already be too late.
If we don't act then all life on the planet
may be at risk. Forests are the lungs of
the planet keeping the atmosphere
supplied with oxygen and taking outcarbon dioxide and storing it in the
plant's cells. This finely tuned system is
being affected by man as once a tree is
burned carbon dioxide is released into
the atmosphere and withfar fewer trees much less oxygen is being released. This system is what makes the planet
habitable for all life. We should be thanking and preserving the forests for this life giving
service not destroying and abusing it. We need to restore this natural balance before things
get out of control.
Simple things you can do to preserve
the plant
Though distant forests seem
miles away from your life
living in the urban or suburban
sprawl the choise you makedaily influence the lives of
plants and creatures on every
continent. One example of
this is palm oil, used in a
wide variety of products
found on your
supermarket shelf. Palm oil comes from the Indonesian islands such as Borneo, where
rainforest is cut down to supply room for evermore of this crop. Without the heavy canopyand root system of the rainforest the soil quickly erodes and nothing can grow not even oil
palms so more land has to be found. This trade is quickly driving the orangutan to
extinction in the wild. A simple choice not to buy products containing palm oil can make a
huge difference. This is just one example among many but by being aware of where the
things you buy and use daily come from and how they are produced allows you to make
decisions, which will help save the planet. The two simple rules are buying local
(less food miles) and buy only sustainable or recyclable products.
Other things you can do include using energy and fuel efficiently and as little aspossible by making our home, work and transport as carbon neutral as possible.
Minimizing our carbon footprint doesn't mean cycling everywhere or sitting in a
cold damp house through the winter, it just means not wasting energy; by not
leaving electric items on standby and switching off what we don't need.www.effects-of-deforestation.com
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Making sure our appliances and cars are as efficient and environmentally friendly
as possible and going for those green energy tariffs.
One thing we can all do is lobby government to make the necessary large-scale
changes in legislation needed to preserve the environment. However there is no
need to wait for government action, you have the power to act now!
Future PathsThe deforestation of the planet will only stop if enough people say No! The
decision rests with humanity; the consequences of this decision are immense and
will influence the lives and deaths of millions. Many thousands of lives have
already been lost to global warming and preserving the forests may be the factor
that tips the scales back into our favor.