Deforestation

An act of cutting down, destroying or making flat a forested area on land is termed as deforestation. Sometimes deforestation can occur due to natural causes but most of the time the causes are anthropogenic. Deforestation has severe impacts on the environment, climate and living species.

Deforestation is the clearing of a forested area in a deliberate attempt to make way for human plans for settlement and commercial establishment. It involves the destruction of a large area occupied by dense trees, bushes, and other plants that have been growing naturally for thousands of years.

Impact of Deforestation

Deforestation has a severe impact on the environment and other related factors. It affects almost every natural thing that has been a part of the environment, including humans.

First and foremost, deforestation results in the loss of biodiversity, thereby causing an ecological imbalance. Biodiversity is the variance of life and species on the planet. A good part of the earth’s biodiversity is sustained by the forests as human settlements are capable of sustain only very limited species including humans.

When a forest is destroyed, millions of species including that of animals, reptiles, insects, plants, birds, etc lose their only abode. These species find it impossible to sustain a living without forest and therefore distinguish.

Deforestation not only affects the species directly living in the forests but it also affects those indirectly associated with them. The effects of deforestation on humans are not instant but are experienced over a period of time. Poor air quality index, extreme heated temperatures, lack of natural resources is some of the severe impacts of deforestation on humans.

Conclusion

The responsibility of protecting the forests rests on the shoulders of humans. Unless we give due importance to the forests and take necessary steps to prevent their destruction, things will go on to deteriorate further. It is a collective measure that must be taken with a steely resolve.

Effects of Deforestation

The various effects of deforestation on the environment and other related factors are detailed below-

Climatic Changes

Forests are responsible for maintaining the climatic conditions over an area. They help keep the temperature moderate to a bearable level; neither too cold nor too hot. Forests are also responsible for the occurrence of rains and other natural events. Without forests, the climate would be extremely harsh and dry and there would be no rain. Also, deforestation has been closely linked to global warming and is becoming the main cause of changing climatic patterns throughout the globe.

Resources Depletion

Forests provide and sustain all the important natural resources for living. Groundwater, food, fruits, etc are mostly provided by the forests. If forests are cut down, it means that the flow of rainwater will not be restricted and so it flows quickly out of the area, giving it no time to seep through the ground; thereby, resulting in groundwater depletion. Also, many other natural resources like fruits, wood, etc will extinct.

Loss of Habitat

Forests constitute home for countless species of animals, birds, insects, and plants, etc. Deforestation results in habitat loss of these species, forcing them to the verge of extinction. A lot of species cannot adapt to an alternative environment and therefore go extinct.

Loss of Biodiversity

Deforestation also results in loss of biodiversity of a particular area thereby making some irreversible ecological changes. Destruction of forests resulting in the extinction of species is a huge blow to the biodiversity, which gets damaged almost permanently.

Frequent Floods

Forests play a prime role in the prevention of floods by restricting the flow of runoff water and allowing it to be absorbed by the soil. In case there are no forests, all the water from the rain with directly flow to the human settlements, thereby causing floods. Therefore, the role of forests in the prevention of floods cannot be undermined.

Conclusion

There are several negative effects of deforestation on the environment and the climate. It destroys the overall ecological balance, causing irreversible damage to it. It is, therefore, our prime responsibility to prevent deforestation and take necessary remedial measures in this regard.

Causes of Deforestation

Almost all the causes of deforestation are human-induced. Below given are some of the main causes of deforestation.

Encroachment

Encroachment of a forest means intrusion into its territory by humans, thereby compromising the overall serenity and ecological balance of the forest. Intrusion into the forest might come in many forms – cattle grazing, settlements, agriculture, etc. Any kind of human interference with the forest is bound to disturb its ecological balance and biodiversity. Also, the damage is difficult to repair and if it does, it takes decades.

Requirement of Wood

One of the most important reasons behind deforestation is the need of wood for various purposes. Wood is required for fuel, making, furniture, paper industry, craft industry, and several other purposes. The commercial value of wood has resulted in a large amount of deforestation throughout the globe. Forests that have been there for hundreds of years are cut down to supply wood for several industries.

Forest Fires

Forest fires are the main reasons behind the destruction of large forested areas. Every year huge fires occur in any of the forests spread over the globe. These fires could be natural as well as triggered by human activities. In both cases, the results are destructive and very harmful to the ecology and biodiversity of that area.

Remedial Measures of Deforestation

The remedial measure to prevent deforestation is a two-step process involving prevention and restoration. In the first place, any damage to the forest in the form of human infringement or other causes must be prevented at all costs. The area of a forested land must be clearly demarcated against human settlement and any kind of encroachment should be penalized. People living near to the forests must be made aware of the need to preserve the serenity of forest and conservation of wildlife.

Restoration of the forest is another noble step towards bringing back the forest and environment in its pure state. Uninhabited land or forests previously destroyed by human interference must be identified and planted with trees in an attempt to re-grow the forests. Though, restoration of the forest might take time, nevertheless, it’s going to be worth an attempt.

Conclusion

Deforestation is the worst thing that can happen to the environment. It not only destroys the environment but also depletes the biodiversity. Forests must be protected at all costs and every honest attempt for their restoration must also be made. The government and relevant agencies must adopt a policy of zero-tolerance against deforestation.