The Effects of Deforestation

Deforestation has been described as the cutting down of trees without planting others in their places. It is hard to think that there was a time when 90% of the earth was covered by trees, but this was once that case. If one asks naturally, what happened to all these trees? Why do people cut down trees? The following are probable reasons.                                                                   

                                                                 i. Demand for land on cultivation.

                                      ii. Need for firewood.

                                     iii. Need for land to build industries.

                                     iv. Need for land to build houses.

                                      v.  Need for wood for furniture, pencils, paper etc…

All of the above needs are important and have to satisfy cutting down trees is not the most probable solution to these problems because most people who cut down trees do not plant others in their place. Also, if all the above needs are to be met by cutting down of trees, even planting two others for every tree which cut will not prevent desertification. This is because trees take so long to grow and mature, especially so for hard wood trees. Deforestation has the following dangers effects.

Climate change

                Plants absorb carbon dioxide and co² from the atmosphere. So it uses to produce food. In return, it gives off oxygen. Destroying the forests mean co² will remain in the atmosphere and in addition, destroyed vegetation will give off more co² stored in them as they decompose. This will alter the climate of that region. Cool climates may get a lot hotter and hot places may get a lot cooler.

Life quality

             Soil erosion can also lead to silt entering the lakes, streams and other water sources. This can decrease local water quality, contributing to poor health in the local population.

Soil erosion destruction

                Soils are exposed to the sun’s heat. Soil moisture is dried up, natrients evaporate and bacteria that help break down organic matter are affected. Eventually, rain washes down the soil surfaces and erosion takes place. Soils never get their full potential back.

    

Loss of biodiversity

                Many wonderful species of plants and animals have been lost and many others remain endangered. More than 80% of the world’s species remain in the tropical rainforests.it is estimated that about so to 100 species of animals are being lost each day as a result of destruction of their habitats and that is a tragedy. Many beautiful creatures both plants and animals have vanished from the face of the earth.

Water cycle

                When forests are destroyed the atmosphere water bodies and the water table are all affected. Trees absorb and retain water in their roots. A large part of the water that circulates in the ecosystem of rainforests remains inside the plants. Some of this moisture is transpired into the atmosphere. When this process is broken, the atmosphere and water bodies begin to dry out. The watershed potential is compromised and less water will rains through the revers. Smaller lakes and streams that take water from these lager water bodies dry up.

Carbon emissions

                Healthy forests help absorb greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions that are caused by human civilization and contribute to global climate change without trees, more carbon and greenhouse gasses enter the atmosphere. To make matters worse, trees actually become carbon courses, when they are cut, burned or otherwise removed tropical forests hold more than 210 gigatons of carbon and deforestation represents around 15% of greenhouse gas emissions according to the WWF.

            All of these factors can have adverse effects on local economics. Increased flooding lack of quality water and inability to produce their own food causes many locals migrate to cities that lack infrastructure for them or they work on plantations. Worsening the deforestation problem and at times being subjected to inhuman working conditions.

REV: HANGURANKETA WIJAYANANDA THERA

HU/PL09/015

UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA
SRI LANKA