Millions of acres of forest are cleared daily all over the world for agricultural production, construction, mining, and urbanization. In the short run, these processes might lead to economic progress, but their long-term negative effects on the environment are considerable.
The forest is not only a mass of trees. These are complex systems which maintain millions of living creatures, regulate climate, preserve water, fertilize the soils, and serve as source of income for many people. Forest degradation leads to multiple changes in nature which will continue affecting the environment for dozens or even hundreds of years.
Deforestation is considered an ecological problem, yet its negative consequences spread further into various spheres and aspects of life, including climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Forests: Nature's Life Support System
Forests take up 31% of Earth's total land surface area and are one of the most productive ecosystems. They represent natural carbon dioxide sinks and help to combat climate change by capturing carbon dioxide in their biomass. Rainfall patterns and water supply are maintained by forests, together with soil stabilization and many other ecological functions.
In fact, forests act like a life support system of the earth.
Disruptions of these systems do not affect the environment of one particular region only because what happens in one forest ecosystem may change the entire weather patterns, diversity of species in other regions and overall environmental stability.
Silent Extinction Crisis
One of the worst long-term consequences of deforestation is biodiversity loss.
Forests contain almost 80% of all terrestrial plants and animals which need forest habitat to live. With trees felled for lumbering, these animals lose their habitat; thus, they cannot find places where to feed, rest and breed.
It is true that some animals could migrate to different places; however, many others lack time needed to adapt to changed conditions. The result is evident - many species decrease in number and even disappear.
There are many other consequences of biodiversity loss. Disappearing of pollinators may ruin whole food chains; many natural processes which work perfectly for millennia will stop functioning correctly.
The main problem with losing of some species is that extinction means permanent disappearance of an animal from the world.
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Climate Change Becomes Worse**
Forests are a very important component of climate balance on our planet.
The forests are vital for maintaining the balance of climate on our planet.
Using photosynthesis, trees can absorb carbon dioxide and keep it in their trunks, roots, leaves, and soil around them. Thus, trees help lower greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Deforestation leads to the following two processes:
Emission of carbon from trees into the atmosphere.
Decreased ability to continue absorbing carbon in the future.
Thus, deforestation has a dual effect that increases global warming.
Higher levels of greenhouse gases lead to the following consequences:
Global warming.
Melting of glaciers.
Frequent natural disasters.
Long droughts and changes in precipitation.
The negative consequences of deforestation in terms of climate will affect people everywhere, no matter where they live.
Soil Erosion: The Unseen Damage,Healthier forests mean healthier soils under them.
Firstly, tree roots hold the soil in place, preventing erosion and landslides. Secondly, fallen leaves and other biological matter make the soil rich in essential nutrients, thus facilitating plant growth.
Once the forests have been stripped, the protective effect is lost.
Soils can be washed off by rain, making them lose their nutrient-richness, whereas winds cause wind erosion. Gradually, poor soils become incapable of supporting anything.
In extreme cases, the deforested area may become subjected to desertification, thus transforming its fertile soils into non-fertile ones.
Poor soils affect agriculture production, food supply, and forest rehabilitation processes in the long run.
*Disruption of the Water Cycle
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The connection between forests and the water cycle should not be underestimated.
Forests act as pumps moving the groundwater to the atmosphere. In other words, forests influence cloud formation and precipitation patterns.
The removal of forests means that there will be less moisture in the atmosphere.
But the consequences of deforestation extend well beyond the forests themselves. They affect biodiversity, climate systems, water supplies, soil quality, wildlife, and people.
Forests are some of the Earth's greatest natural treasures, but they are still being destroyed at an astonishing rate.
Conservation efforts represent one of the best ways that we have of fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity for future generations.
And the decisions that we make now may shape what our descendants have to deal with tomorrow.
For once a forest is gone, its effects are felt well beyond its boundaries.
For more infor, visit environforest.com
