“Forest impact on our daily lives in so many ways. Despite our dependence on forests, we are still allowing them to disappear”
Deforestation is a problem that is caused largely by greed and want for property, money and possibly status. In many parts of the world the forest is taken for granted as a replenish able resource, which it is. The problem is that the trees cannot be replanted at the rate at which they are being cut down.
Forests are vital for life on earth. People enjoy and appreciate fresh air, clear water, beautiful scenery and wildlife. So, places with all of the above are ideal tourist spots. Also, businesses like to be located in areas of such serene beauty. Without the forests we would have much less oxygen. One acre of forest provides over 6 tons of oxygen per year! This is because trees (and all green plants) use a process called photosynthesis, during which they take in carbon dioxide and, as a by-product, produce oxygen.
Forests are not just the green cover to make the earth look beautiful; they have many functions integral for our survival and sustenance. Forests protect waters and manage climate. When it rains in the forests, the leaves allow the water to slowly drip to the ground. When a forest has been clear-cut, the rain pours down hard on the unprotected soil. The dirt then washes into streams, muddying the waters. This is unhealthy for the fish, and can cause flooding. Also, without trees, the moisture in the air evaporates quickly, changing the climate of nearby forests. This process prevents trees from receiving the water they need.
Plants "breathe" carbon dioxide, like we breathe oxygen. There has been a balance between species that breathe out carbon dioxide and take in oxygen, and species that take in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. They function as a resource for many aspects of human life.
Just think of how forests have affected human life today. Over the past 50 years, about half the world's original forest cover has been lost, the most significant cause for that being humans beings' unsystematic use of its resources. When we take away the forest, it is not just the trees that go. The entire ecosystem begins to fall apart, with dire consequences for all of us.
Deforestation can be attributed to various causes. The obvious one is logging, however the reasons extends a lot further than that. The forests are cultivated, cleared and burned every year for international ranchers and local farmers. Every year certain factors influence the amount of forest area:
•Fires
•logging
•farming
•population expansion
•growth of cities
•roads and highways
•politics
•shifting cultivators
Deforestation is the process by which a heavily tree-filled area becomes devoid of trees. This can occur in a variety of circumstances both natural and man-made, and often severely impacts the local environment. Deforestation can lead to serious effects on the surrounding ecosystem, and many experts believe it can also have a negative effect on the global environment.
Another major effect of deforestation is loss of biodiversity. Trees and forested areas can provide food and habitats to an enormous amount of plant and animal life. Any basic tree can provide high branches for birds, vegetation for insects and animals to eat, shelter for shade-plants and burrows for animals such as squirrels and foxes, as well as beneficial nutrients for the soil. When deforestation occurs, a high percentage of local plants and animals will disappear, as the environment cannot support their existence. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), many species face extinction primarily due to deforestation.
Climate change is also believed to be one of the major effects of deforestation. Tree cover creates moist soil, as sunlight cannot filter through to the ground directly. When trees are removed, soil begins to dry more quickly, and local temperatures increase due to lack of shade. Some experts believe that deforestation can lead to a massive increase in desert terrain, as soil deprived of constant moisture will eventually turn into largely barren sand.
One of the more frightening effects of deforestation raises global concern. Deforestation cause global warming that has serious consequences to the life of earth. Global warming has serious consequences to the life of earth. The past few years has witnessed a rise in the levels of the seas and increase in the overall temperature of the planet. Deforestation is a contributing factor to the green house effect. The burning of trees common in deforestation releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse gas effect and possibly impacting global warming. One of the main causes of this serious threat can be attributed to deforestation.
The local animals are affected just as much as the people. Their natural habitats are destroyed and species, possibly unknown to man become extinct, because they have nowhere to live. When the bull dozers knock the trees down like buck, monkeys, and birds, are all caught in the destruction. The animals either end up in the cities or are killed, or they starve to death in their new surroundings.
Deforestation is seen as the prime concern for environmentalists and they have suggested that unless quick measures are not taken to arrest this problem, it would further lead to devastating effects on Earth.
Mankind has been cutting trees indiscriminately for his own use. If you are concerned about the effects of deforestation and wish to help prevent the destruction of Earth’s forests, consider donating your time or resources to a reputable environmental group dedicated to fighting deforestation. On a more basic level, consider avoiding goods and services from corporations that profit from unsustainable deforestation.
To conclude, we often complain about extreme weather conditions, or climate change. However, instead of cribbing, we must ensure that deforestation is stopped and plantation is given due importance. This will help to reverse some of the adverse effects of deforestation and also control the alarming effects of global warming.
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