Deforestation and The Ways to Overcome It

Deforestation is the transformation of woodland areas to non-woodland areas for uses such as cultivable land, pastureland, suburban use, logged area, or barren land. Deforestation can also be seen as the elimination of forests, leading to several ecological and environmental variances, and resulting in a decline in biodiversity and habitats.

Forest Loss and Solutions to Address It

Government laws control the creation and exchange of timber products at all phases, from harvesting to processing to sales. These rules and regulations can be breached in numerous ways, such as harvesting more than is permitted, harvesting protected species, and taking wood from protected areas. Illegal logging occurs worldwide, and in some countries, excessive logging is more common than the legal variety. This destruction threatens some of Earth's most well-known and precious forests, including rainforests in Indonesia, the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and the forests of the Russian Far East. Illegal logging also depreciates the price of timber globally, disadvantaging lawful and principled companies, and deprives governments of revenues usually generated by jobs and taxes. Poverty-stricken populations close to forests are often endangered when outsiders attempt to take control of nearby timber resources, which may lead to oppression and human rights violations.

Fires are a natural and beneficial component of many forest ecosystems, but they become problematic when they occur with the wrong frequency, in the wrong places, or at the wrong severity. Each year, tons of acres of forest around the world are eliminated or consumed by fire. The exact amount is compounded by logging and agriculture together. Fire is often used as a method to clear land for other purposes such as planting crops. These fires not only change the structure and composition of woodlands but can also open up forests to invasive species, alter water cycles and soil fertility, threaten biological diversity, and destroy the livelihoods of the people who live in and around the woods.

Timber remains a popular fuel option for cooking and heating worldwide, and about half of the unlicensed removal of timber from forests is thought to be for use as fuel wood. Deforestation occurs in many forms, including ranching and development, fires, unsustainable logging for timber, clear-cutting for agriculture, and degradation due to climate change. This impacts human livelihoods and threatens a vast range of flora and fauna species. We are losing 18.7 million acres of forests every year, which is equivalent to 27 soccer fields every minute (World Wildlife Fund, 2021).

Environmental Impact of Deforestation

Deforestation can have severe negative effects on the environment. The most alarming impact is the loss of natural habitats for millions of species. Eighty percent of Earth's land fauna and flora live in forests, and many cannot survive due to the deforestation that destroys their homes. Deforestation also contributes to climate change. Forest topsoils are moist, but without protection from sun-blocking tree cover, they dry up quickly. Trees also help maintain the water cycle by returning water vapor to the atmosphere. Without trees to fulfill these roles, many forestlands may eventually become barren deserts. The removal of trees deprives the forest, particularly its canopy, which blocks the sun's rays during the day and retains moisture at night. This disturbance leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals. Trees also play a crucial role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. A decrease in the number of forests means a larger percentage of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere (Global Forest Watch, 2022).

Ways to Overcome Deforestation

• Plant more trees.
• Go paperless by using the help of technology.
• Recycle and buy recycled products.
• Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on wood and wood products.
• Eat vegetarian meals as often as possible or avoid consuming meat-based meals frequently.

References

• Global Forest Watch. (2022). The impact of deforestation on climate change. Retrieved from [website URL]
• World Wildlife Fund. (2021). Forests and deforestation. Retrieved from [website URL]