Definition
"Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses."OpenUniversity(2019)
The National Geographic states; Deforestation occurs around the world, though tropical rainforests are particularly targeted. If current deforestation levels continue, the world’s rainforests may completely vanish in as little as a hundred years, Open University (2019)
Context
If we look back in history, there has always been the clearances of forests. Deforestation takes place to make space for agriculture, for growing food, pasture for grazing. logging wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction. This happens all over the world and throughout history, ever since man has built settlements and farmed the land. However, forests are beneficial because forests and trees release oxygen, which is essential for good air quality and benefits human health. Trees
use carbon sequestration which is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that contribute to a problem known as global warming
(Open University (2019) When trees are felled the air quality becomes significantly poorer.
Rainforests
Rainforests are forests that have a tree canopy, this keeps the forest healthy and retains moisture for moisture- dependent vegetation, it also protects the forest from fire. Forests consist of a lower, middle, and higher level. Rainforests can be classified as tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests, and other types of forests throughout the world.
Healthy forests are important, especially for the health benefits they bring to the people who live and work in the area. The Rainforests also contain special health-giving plants used for medicine; these plants cannot be found anywhere else on the
planet.
Deforestation -
Benefits
People can make their living by working in the forest, in logging and in construction
companies. This creates jobs and employment for local people.(Open University (2019) There is the constant need for urbanisation, to support the expanding population in
the area. Road networks are needed for transportation which have to be built to accommodate new communities of people. All this of course, depends on wood obtained from the trees. People must carry out basic daily living activities, this utilises wood, and most homes contain some type of wood,
whether for furniture, fuel or cooking tools and other wood derivatives.
However, other materials could be used instead to replace wood. Land is needed for agriculture to grow vegetables for local people food is essential for human survival.
Alternatively, another option, could be green growing vertical roof tops.
The main agents in the process of deforestation belong to the private sector, land owners who can aid the process of managing forests,to capture carbon by maintaining scenic beauty, preserving resources and for this they could be compensated. However,landowners could also be fined for depleting the forests. Social ownership may be an alternative solution to this problem, with careful management of resources.
OpenUniversity (2019)
The rain forests are a part of the world that is under threat and is an important place, especially because it has the most biodiversity of species in the world, therefore rainforests need preservation.
The Disadvantages of Deforestation: - Climate change
In recent times, scientists have discovered that deforestation has been linked to climate change. It has been found that deforestation causes air pollution, because it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and after the burning of fossil fuel, carbon is the second highest reason for global climate change.(Open University (2019).
Each year about 18 million acres of forest is lost to deforestation. It has also been found that forests that have been cut down are even more prone to wild fires. Wild fires can easily start due to loss of tree coverage, when drought increases, this leads to evapotranspiration, which causes vegetation and soils to dry out, thus making forests susceptible to wildfire.
Soil erosion caused by deforestation can cause silt to leak into rivers and pollute the water in the area. This can be dangerous for the people and animals who drink it, because it can kill fish and other species that live in water.
Extreme weather caused by climate change has been increasing across the world, bringing in its wake, disasters like flooding, landslides, droughts, hurricanes, and wild fires, contributing to poor air quality, which leads to decline in the health of the population, including lung problems and airborne diseases.
Whenever trees are felled, animals lose their habitats and eventually become extinct. Chimpanzees are becoming endangered and are at risk of losing their habitat. They live in the canopy, eating fruits such as figs and can disperse the seeds around the forest. So, they are ecologically useful for the forest’s environment and must be protected. Many endangered animal species face extinctions because of global deforestation, therefore precautions must be taken to ensure their future survival.
(Open University (2019)
The indigenous peoples also live in the rainforests, and thedestruction of the forests, could ultimately lead to losing their home, as well as their way of life and way of making a living.
Solutions
We now know the problems but what are the solutions?
Here are some possible solutions:Turn forests into conservation areas;
The introduction and enforcement of regulations and controls concerning felling and land use at both governmental and organisational levels (Open University(2019 )
Recycling materials already available, that are as durable as wood to replace wood usage. The deployment of eco-forestry techniques which is available tool for decreasing the impact of logging. OpenUniversity(2019); Having educational campaigns to raise awareness.Reforestation, Community forestry initiativescan beeffective in creating green spaces in rural and urban locations. Open University(2019); Encourage people to eat a more plant-based diet. Reducing the need to use land for animal grazing. Open University(2019)
Conclusion
A careful balance is needed, between utilising the resources of the forests wisely, while at the same time protecting forests from damage, therefore reducing deforestation.
References:
Open University (2019) L185 Resource Texts
