the effect of deforestation essay

• About Project
• Testimonials

Business Management Ideas

Essay on Deforestation

List of essay on deforestation in english, essay on deforestation – essay 1 (150 words), essay on deforestation – essay 2 (250 words), essay on deforestation – essay 3 (300 words), essay on deforestation: causes and drawbacks – essay 4 (400 words), essay on deforestation: with causes and solution – essay 5 (500 words), essay on deforestation: introduction, impact, control and conclusion – essay 6 (650 words), essay on deforestation: causes and effects – essay 7 (750 words), essay on deforestation: with solution – essay 8 (1000 words).

Introduction:

Deforestation is the process of clearing trees and forest for other uses. Deforestation usually occurs due to city expansion. As habitats increase in cities, there is a need to create more space the for homes, organizations, and factories. This, however, has a damning effect on our environment.

Effect of Deforestation on the Environment:

Deforestation means fewer trees and more land. This has a serious adverse effect on our environment. On one hand, deforestation makes some animals homeless. Animals that survive in the forest might go extinct with less forest. On the other hand, deforestation is also the biggest cause of climate change around the world.

Preventing Deforestation:

Reducing or preventing deforestation is easier said than done. This is because trees are cut down because there is a pressing need to do so. Thus, to prevent deforestation we must try to reduce that need by making smarter choices in paper usage, city planning, migration, etc.

Conclusion:

The essence of plant life in the forest is unquestionable. To ensure a greener environment we must all join the efforts in reducing deforestation.

Deforestation is definitely one of the most troubling of all problems which has plagued our environment. It is important more than ever to take care of the green cover or else it can jeopardize the existence of life on Earth. It is owing to the presence of green trees that we get the oxygen needed to breathe in.

However, because of excessive exploitation by humans, it has been seen that the trees are being cut down mercilessly. This act of cleaning the green cover is known as deforestation.

Educate people:

The best way to handle the problem of deforestation is by making sure that we educate the masses regarding the importance of green cover. When people understand as to how deforestation is leading to grave consequences, they will get the incentive to plant trees rather than uproot them.

Protect the Environment:

As we have continued to exploit the environment in a way that it is hard to get things back to normal, it is now important to immediately start protecting the environment. A lot of natural calamities are occurring these days because the ecosystem balance has been disturbed. Deforestation alone is responsible for a major amount of problems.

So, you need to understand as to how you can come up with ways to excite people about planting more trees and doing their bit for the sake of the environment. Think of your children and grand children. If we continue with our aggressive deforestation campaigns, they are not likely to have a healthy environment for survival. Is that what we really want?

Deforestation can be defined as the removal of trees and clearing of forests for the personal and commercial benefits of human beings. Deforestation has emerged as one of the biggest man-made disasters recently. Every year, more and more trees and vegetation are being erased just to fulfill the various needs of the human race.

Deforestation happens for many reasons. The growing population is one of them. Rising human population needs more area for residential purpose. For this, forests are either burned down or cut to make space for constructing homes and apartments.

Deforestation is also done for commercial purposes. This includes setting up of factories, industries, and towers, etc. The enormous requirements of feeding the human race also create a burden on the land. As a result, clearing land for agricultural purposes leads to deforestation.

Deforestation impacts our earth in several ways. Trees are natural air purifiers. They absorb the carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Deforestation results in uncontrolled air pollution. When there are fewer trees, there is lesser absorption of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

Deforestation also disturbs the water cycle. Forests absorb the groundwater and release the water vapors to form clouds, which in turn cause rains. Roots of trees hold the soil intact and prevent floods. But when there are no trees, different kinds of natural calamities are bound to happen.

With deforestation, chances of floods, drought, global warming, and disturbed weather cycle all come into the play. Not only that, the disappearance of forests means the extinction of wild animals and plants, which are highly important parts of our ecosystem.

In order to curb these disasters, we must plant more trees. Restoration of existing vegetation is equally essential. Population control is another indirect method to save trees and forest areas.

Deforestation is the process of cutting down of trees and forests completely or partially for different reasons like manufacturing different products with various parts of the tree as raw material, to build structures and other buildings, etc. Deforestation in recent days has become the curse of our world that resulted in the destruction of nature and the environment.

Cause and Drawbacks:

Deforestation is mainly done for making better living assets for humans and this one side thought is the biggest drawback of this issue. Instead of doing only the cutting part humans should practice forestation along with deforestation. Whenever a tree or a forest is cut, another one should be planted at the same place or on other lands to promote the forestation.

Deforestation is the main cause for many natural deficiencies and the destruction of many animal, plant and bird species. If the practice of cutting down trees continues, then eventually even the world may get destructed along with the extinction of the human race.

It’s not like trees shouldn’t be used for any kind of production and urbanization or industrialization shouldn’t be done for the development, but the main factor is to compensate for every minus done. Through this, there will be a balancing between the reduction and plantation which will help, to an extent, in the rectification of problems faced by the world due to deforestation.

Deforestation has also affected the atmospheric air combination. The carbon content in the atmosphere has considerably increased over years due to many human activities like uncontrolled fuel combustion.

Forest has played a massive function of inhaling the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and exhaling oxygen during the daytime while they prepare food for themselves. This process is the reason for maintaining a balanced oxygen and carbon level in the atmosphere and that makes the life of us humans to breathe free.

Population growth is undeniably the major factor behind the increased deforestation level. The increased demand for more assets for better living has increased the need for deforestation as well. In such cases forestation should also be made as a follow-up process.

Controlling the overuse of assets can also help in reducing the deforestation rate. If humans start to use products that use a tree as raw material reasonably then it will help in avoiding deforestation as well. Deforestation not only is a life-threatening scenario for many animals and birds, but also the whole human species.

Deforestation refers to the elimination of plants and trees from a region. Deforestation also includes the clearing of jungles and plants from the region due to the numerous commercial motives.

Different Causes of Deforestation:

The below are the different causes of deforestation:

1. Overgrazing:

Overgrazing in jungles finishes recently renewed development. It makes the soil additional compact and invulnerable. The fertility of the soil also reduces owing to the devastation of organic substance. Overgrazing also results in the desertification and the soil erosion. Deforestation results in decreasing the overall soil’s productivity.

2. Shifting Cultivation:

Numerous agriculturalists destroy the jungle for farming and commercial motives and once productiveness of soil is shattered owing to recurrent harvesting, a fresh forest region is devastated. Hence, farmers must be recommended to utilize a similar area for agriculture and use some upgraded farming techniques and stop the deforestation.

3. Fuel Wood:

The maximum amount of forest is destroyed for the fuel wood. Around 86% of the fuel wood is utilized in rural regions in comparison to the 14% in urban parts and hence lead to more deforestation.

4. Forest Fires:

Recurrent fires in the forest regions are one of the major reasons of deforestation. Few incidents of fires are minor whereas the maximum of them are huge.

The industries related to the plywood and timber is mostly accountable for the deforestation. In fact, the huge demand for wooden things has resulted in the quick reduction of the forest.

6. Industry Establishment:

At times the industrial unit is constructed after deforestation. It means for a small achievement of few people, all other people have to bear a permanent loss. In this procedure, wild animals, valuable plant, and unusual birds get devastated. In fact, it adversely affects the quality of the environment.

7. Violation of Forest:

One more reason of deforestation is a violation by tribal on the land of forest for cultivation and other motives. Even though such type of land has a virtuous support for agriculture creation but still it creates environmental threats.

8. Forest Diseases:

Numerous diseases are instigated by rusts, parasitic fungi, nematodes and viruses that result in demise and deterioration of jungle. Fresh saplings are devastated owing to the occurrence of nematodes. Numerous diseases like blister rust, heart rot, and phloem necrosis, oak will, and Dutch elm, etc. destroy the jungle in large quantities.

9. Landslide:

The landslide lead to the deforestation in the mountains is a question of worry. It happened largely in the regions where growing actions are proceeding for the previous few years. The building of highways and railways mainly in hilly lands as well as the structure of large irrigation plans have resulted in enough deforestation and speeded the natural procedure of denudation.

Worldwide Solution for the Deforestation:

The jungle is an essential natural reserve for any nation and deforestation slow down a nation’s growth. To encounter the necessities of the growing population, simple resources might be attained only with the help of afforestation. It is actually the arrangement of implanting plants for food and food growth. Moreover, the nurseries have a significant part in increasing the coverage of the forest area.

Deforestation is the cutting down of trees. It is basically changing the use of land to a different purpose other than the planting of trees.

There are many reasons which have led to large levels of deforestation all over the world. One of the major causes is ever growing population of the world. With the growth in population, the need for more land to live has been rising. This has further led to cutting down of trees. Also, with modernisation, there has been a substantial increase in the requirement of land for setting up of industries. This has again contributed to deforestation.

Mining is another activity of humans which has led to large-scale deforestation in many areas. The need to build road and rail network in order to increase connectivity to the mines has led to cutting down of trees. This has altered the climatic conditions in these areas.

Deforestation has had a huge impact on the environment. Lack of trees has led to less release of water vapour in the air. This has, in turn, led to the alteration of rainfall patterns in different regions. India is a country which is dependent on monsoon rains for agriculture. Frequent droughts and floods caused due to deforestation have affected the lives of many in different parts of the country.

Moreover, trees absorb the carbon-dioxide from the air and help to purify it. Without trees around us, the presence of harmful gases in the air has been rising. This has also led to global warming which is again a major environmental concern. Also, the ever-rising pollution level, especially in many cities in India is due to vast deforestation only.

Additionally, trees bind the soil around them and prevent soil erosion. Deforestation has led to the soil being washed away with winds and rain, making the land unfit for agriculture. Also, trees and forests are the homes to different species of wildlife. With shrinking forests, several of the wildlife has become extinct as they were not able to cope with the changing conditions. Also, there have been increased man and wildlife conflicts in recent times as the animals are forced to venture in the cities in search of food. All these are severe effects of deforestation and need urgent attention by all.

The Perfect Example:

New Delhi is the capital of India. There was once a time when Delhi was a beautiful city. But with modernisation, increase in population, deforestation and mining in the nearby Aravalli hills, Delhi has been reduced to a gas chamber. Such is the impact the Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities in the world. What better example can be there to understand what deforestation has led us to?

There are many ways in which we can reduce deforestation. We must protect our forests. Moreover, we must mark adequate land for our farming needs. There are some laws already in place which prohibit people from unnecessary felling of trees. What needs to be done is the proper execution of the rules so that everyone abides by it. Also, stricter punishments need to be in place for violators so as to deter other people from disobeying the laws. Alternatively, people need to ensure that for every tree felled, equal numbers of trees are planted so that the balance of nature can be maintained. Summarily, it has to be a collective duty of all and just the governments alone, if we really need to reduce deforestation.

It is true that we all need space to live. With the ever-growing population and urbanisation, there has been more than ever need to cut trees and make space. However, we must realise that it is not possible for us to live without having trees around us. Trees bring so many benefits such as giving us oxygen, utilising the harmful carbon dioxide and so many products we need in our daily lives. Without trees around us, there would be no life on the earth. We should all do the needful to protect trees and reduce deforestation.

Deforestation is also known as clearing or clearance of trees. It can be said to mean removal of strands of trees or forests and the conversion of such area of land to a use that is totally non-forest in nature. Some deforestation examples are the converting of areas of forest to urban, ranches or farms use. The area of land that undergoes the most deforestation is the tropical rainforests. It is important to note that forests cover more than 31 percent in total land area of the surface of the earth.

There are a lot of different reasons why deforestation occurs: some tree are being cut down for building or as fuel (timber or coal), while areas of land are to be used as plantation and also as pasture to feed livestock. When trees are removed with properly replacing them, there can as a result be aridity, loss of biodiversity and even habitat damage. We have also had cases of deforestation used in times of war to starve the enemy.

Causes of Deforestation:

It has been discovered that the major and primary deforestation cause is agriculture. Studies have shown that about 48 percent of all deforestation is as a result of subsistence farming and 32 percent of deforestation is as a result of commercial agriculture. Also, it was discovered that logging accounts for about 14% of the total deforestation and 5% is from the removal for fuel wood.

There has been no form of agreement from experts on if industrial form of logging is a very important contributing factor to deforestation globally. Some experts have argued that the clearing of forests is something poor people do more as a result of them not having other alternatives. Other experts are of the belief that the poor seldom clear forests because they do not have the resources needed to do that. A study has also revealed that increase in population as a result of fertility rates that are very high are not a major driver of deforestation and they only influenced less than 8% of the cases of deforestation.

The Environmental Effects of Deforestation:

Deforestation has a lot of negative effects on our planet and environment.

A few of the areas where it negatively affects our environment are discussed below:

i. Atmospheric Effect:

Global warming has deforestation as one of its major contributing factors and deforestation is also a key cause of greenhouse effect. About 20% of all the emission of greenhouse gases is as a result of tropical deforestation. The land in an area that is deforested heats up quicker and it gets to a temperature that is higher than normal, causing a change in solar energy absorption, flow of water vapours and even wind flows and all of these affects the local climate of the area and also the global climate.

Also, the burning of plants in the forest in order to carry out clearing of land, incineration cause a huge amount of carbon dioxide release which is a major and important contributor to the global warming.

ii. Hydrological Effect:

Various researches have shown that deforestation greatly affects water cycle. Groundwater is extracted by trees through the help of their roots; the water extracted is then released into the surrounding atmosphere. If we remove a part of the forest, there will not be transpiration of water like it should be and this result in the climate being a lot drier. The water content of the soil is heavily reduced by deforestation and also atmospheric moisture as well as groundwater. There is a reduced level of water intake that the trees can extract as a result of the dry soil. Soil cohesion is also reduced by deforestation and this can result in landslides, flooding and erosion.

iii. Effect on Soil:

As a direct result of the plant litter on the surface, there is a minimal and reduced erosion rate in forests largely undisturbed. Deforestation increases the erosion rate as a result of the subsequent decrease in the quantity of cover of litter available. The litter cover actually serves as a protection for the soil from all varieties of surface runoff. When mechanized equipments and machineries are used in forestry operations, there can be a resulting erosion increase as a result of the development of roads in the forests.

iv. Effect on Biodiversity:

There is a biodiversity decline due to deforestation. Deforestation can lead to the death and extinction of a lot of species of animals and plants. The habitat of various animals are taken away as a result of deforestation.

The total coverage of forests on the earth’s landmass is 30 percent and the fact the people are destroying them is worrying. Research reveals that majority of the tropical forests on earth are being destroyed. We are almost at half the forest landmass in destruction. How would earth look life without forests? It will be a total disaster if deforestation is encouraged. Deforestation is a human act in which forests are permanently destroyed in order to create settlement area and use the trees for industries like paper manufacture, wood and construction. A lot of forests have been destroyed and the impact has been felt through climate change and extinction of animals due to destruction of the ecosystem. The impacts of deforestation are adverse and there is need to prevent and control it before it can get any worse.

Deforestation is mainly a human activity affected by many factors. Overpopulation contributed to deforestation because there is need to create a settlement area for the increasing number of people on earth and the need for urbanization for economic reasons. Recently, population has greatly risen in the world and people require shelter as a basic need. Forests are destroyed in order for people to find land to build a shelter and then trees are further cut to build those houses. Overpopulation is a major threat to the forest landmass and if not controlled, people will continue to occupy the forests until there is no more forest coverage on earth.

Another factor influencing deforestation is industrialization. Industries that use trees to manufacture their product e.g. paper and wood industries have caused major destruction of forests. The problem with industries is the large-scale need for trees which causes extensive deforestation. The use of timber in industries is a treat to forests all over the world. In as much as we need furniture, paper and homes, it is not worth the massive destruction of our forests.

Fires are also a cause of deforestation. During episodes of drought, fire spreads widely and burns down trees. The fire incidences could result from human activities like smoking or charcoal burning in the forests. Drought due to adverse weather changes in global warming is a natural disaster that claim the lives of people and living things.

Agricultural activities such as farming and livestock keeping also cause deforestation because of the land demand in those activities. Deforestation for farming purpose involves clearing all the vegetation on the required land and using it for and then burring the vegetation hence the name ‘slash and burn agriculture’. The ranches required for cattle keeping among other livestock require a large area that is clear from trees.

Impacts of Deforestation:

Deforestation has a great impact on the ecosystem in different ways. Climate change is influenced by deforestation because trees influence weather directly. Trees usually act to protect against strong winds and erosion but in its absence, natural disasters like floods and storms could be experienced. Also, tree are important in replenishing the air in the atmosphere. Trees have the ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. Without trees, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will be increased. Because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, it causes global warming.

Global warming is a serious environmental issue that causes adverse climatic changes and affects life on earth. Extreme weather conditions like storms, drought and floods. These weather conditions are not conducive for humans and other living things on earth. Natural disasters as a result of global warming are very destructive both to animate and inanimate objects in the environment.

Loss of species due to deforestation has negatively affected biodiversity. Biodiversity is a highly valued aspect of life on earth and its interruption is a loss. There is a loss of habitat for species to exist in as a result of deforestation and therefore species face extinction. Extinction of some rare species is a threat we are currently facing. Animals that live and depend on forest vegetation for food will also suffer and eventually die of hunger. Survival has been forced on animals of the jungle due to deforestation and that is why human wildlife conflict is being experienced.

The water cycle on earth is negatively affected by deforestation. The existence of water vapor in the atmosphere is maintained by trees. Absence of trees cause a reduced vapor retention in the atmosphere which result in adverse climate changes. Trees and other forest vegetation are important in preventing water pollution because they prevent the contaminated runoff into water sources like rivers, lakes and oceans. Without trees, pollution of water is more frequent and therefore the water will be unsafe for consumption by human and animals.

Solutions to Deforestation:

Based on the serious impact of deforestation, it is only safe if solutions are sought to end this problem. The ultimate solution is definitely restoration of the forest landmass on earth. The restoration can be done by encouraging the planting of trees, a process called reforestation. Although reforestation will not completely solve the impacts of deforestation, it will restore a habitat for the wild animals and slowly restore the ecosystem. Major impacts like concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere require another approach. Human activities that contribute to carbon dioxide gas emission to the atmosphere have to be reduced through strict policies for industries and finding alternative energy sources that do not produce greenhouse gases.

Another solution is public awareness. People have to be made aware that deforestation has negative effects so that they can reduce the act. Through awareness, people can also be taught on ways of reducing the population e.g., family planning. On World Environment Day, people are encouraged to participate in activities like tree planting in order to conserve environment and that is how the awareness takes place.

In conclusion, deforestation is a human activity that is destructive and should be discouraged. Environmental conservation is our responsibility because we have only one earth to live in.

Deforestation , Environment , Forests

Get FREE Work-at-Home Job Leads Delivered Weekly!

Join more than 50,000 subscribers receiving regular updates! Plus, get a FREE copy of How to Make Money Blogging!

Message from Sophia!

Like this post? Don’t forget to share it!

Here are a few recommended articles for you to read next:

• Essay on Noise Pollution
• Essay on Environmental Pollution
• Essay on Biodiversity
• Essay on Acid Rain

No comments yet.

Leave a reply click here to cancel reply..

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Billionaires

• Donald Trump
• Warren Buffett
• Email Address
• Free Stock Photos
• Keyword Research Tools
• URL Shortener Tools
• WordPress Theme

Book Summaries

• How To Win Friends
• Rich Dad Poor Dad
• The Code of the Extraordinary Mind
• The Luck Factor
• The Millionaire Fastlane
• The ONE Thing
• Think and Grow Rich
• 100 Million Dollar Business
• Business Ideas

Digital Marketing

• Mobile Addiction
• Social Media Addiction
• Computer Addiction
• Drug Addiction
• Internet Addiction
• TV Addiction
• Healthy Habits
• Morning Rituals
• Wake up Early
• Cholesterol
• Reducing Cholesterol
• Fat Loss Diet Plan
• Reducing Hair Fall
• Sleep Apnea
• Weight Loss

Internet Marketing

• Email Marketing

Law of Attraction

• Subconscious Mind
• Vision Board
• Visualization

Law of Vibration

• Professional Life

Motivational Speakers

• Bob Proctor
• Robert Kiyosaki
• Vivek Bindra
• Inner Peace

Productivity

• Not To-do List
• Project Management Software
• Negative Energies

Relationship

• Getting Back Your Ex

Self-help 21 and 14 Days Course

Self-improvement.

• Body Language
• Complainers
• Emotional Intelligence
• Personality

Social Media

• Project Management
• Anik Singal
• Baba Ramdev
• Dwayne Johnson
• Jackie Chan
• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Narendra Modi
• Nikola Tesla
• Sachin Tendulkar
• Sandeep Maheshwari
• Shaqir Hussyin

Website Development

Wisdom post, worlds most.

• Expensive Cars

Our Portals: Gulf Canada USA Italy Gulf UK

Privacy Overview

Essay on Effects of Deforestation for Students and Children

500 words essay on the effects of deforestation.

The world is losing most of its natural resources as and when you read this. There are many factors which are making this happen, however, one major concern is that of deforestation. Human activities are resulting in deforestation at a very rapid rate. Moreover, the effects of this activity are very dangerous. We do not realize the damage we are causing to living beings as well as the vegetation by cutting down trees. It will be clearer if we understand the impact of deforestation and make attempts to prevent it.

Impact of Deforestation

When we cut down even a single tree , the impact it has is huge. Now imagine if we clear out whole forests only altogether, how damaging would that be. We cut down forests to meet the needs of humans. In order to fulfill the agricultural , commercial , industrial , residential and other needs we remove forests . Most of the earth was covered with forests until a hundred years ago, however, now we don’t have much of them left.

Deforestation causes disruption in the ecological balance. Moreover, it also interferes with the lives of wildlife and human beings as well. Firstly, when there won’t be many forests left, the water cycle of the earth will get disturbed. There won’t be enough trees left to absorb the water. Moreover, it will cause floods and droughts too. Similarly, soil erosion will be another effect of deforestation.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Other than that, the climate will experience massive change. Global warming is also happening partly due to deforestation only. The oxygen level in the atmosphere will drop down by a great number and thus naturally carbon dioxide levels will increase. Most importantly, the wildlife is losing their habitats due to deforestation. Forests are their only home and with no place left to go, they either lose their lives or wreak havoc in the cities.

Therefore, we must all come together to stop this from happening and saving our earth as well as our lives. Humans must not be so selfish so as to make other animals homeless to shelter themselves. We must not damage our vegetation to create a beautiful garden for ourselves.

How to Prevent Deforestation?

We can do a lot of things that will contribute to preventing deforestation. To begin with, do not waste paper. The more demand there will be the more supply will happen. This way, trees will keep getting cut to meet these needs.

Similarly, the government must put a ban on deforestation so the big firms can find other alternatives instead of clearing forests for commercial and industrial needs. The laws must be made stringent enough and also implemented properly to prevent it.

Moreover, there must be measures taken to control the increasing population . As there are more mouths to feed and fewer resources, our nature and forests are getting burdened. There is not adequate supply to meet the ever-increasing demands of the population. Thus, the lesser the demand, the better the conditions of the forests as well.

FAQs on Effects of Deforestation

Q.1 What is the impact of deforestation?

A.1 Deforestation has many seriously damaging effects. It disrupts the water cycle and increases the level of carbon dioxide and decreases oxygen levels. Further, it also causes floods, droughts, soil erosion and more.

Q.2 How can we prevent deforestation?

A.2 We can do a joint effort to prevent deforestation. Do not waste paper so there will be lesser cutting of trees. The government must put a ban on deforestation. The government must practice population control so as to not burden forests to meet the ever-increasing needs.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Improve your Grades

Essay on Effects of Deforestation | Effects of Deforestation Essay for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Effects of Deforestation: The diverse effects of deforestation are mainly causing our environments worse, such as soil erosion, biodiversity impacts and social effects.

Deforestation has varieties of social effects on our society; its impact affects us not only humans but also animals, plants and the surrounding environment. Deforestation forces and causes the surrounding to adapt in order to survive such difficult situations.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Effects of Deforestation for Students and Kids in English

We provide students with essay samples on Effects of Deforestation essays of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the same topic for reference.

Long Essay on Effects of Deforestation 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Effects of Deforestation is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The word deforestation is defined as the process of burning and cutting down the trees in woodland and forest and converting the land to other use. Forests still cover about 30 per cent of the Earth’sEarth’s surface, but each year about 13 million hectors of forest (approximately 78,000square miles) are converted to agricultural land or cleared for other purposes.

There are actually two key issues that surround the process of deforestation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide CO2, helping to reduce the number of carbon compounds in the atmosphere. Carbon reduction will help to slow and stop the greenhouse effect, as it is one of the key causes of global warming. The diverse effects of deforestation are mainly causing our environments worse, such as soil erosion, biodiversity impacts and social effects.

In the monsoon season, washing away of soil are some immediate effects of deforestation. This is because trees are no longer binding and anchoring the soil and so mudslides take place. By the large amounts of water, the EarthEarth is leached of minerals. Although tropical forests cover only about 7 percent of the Earth’sEarth’s dry land, they probably harbour about half of all species on EarthEarth. Many species can only be found in small areas and are so specialized to microhabitats within the forest. Their specialization makes them vulnerable to extinction.

Deforestation has varieties of social effects on our society; its impact affects us not only humans but also animals, plants and the surrounding environment. Deforestation forces and causes the surrounding to adapt in order to survive such difficult situations. Every day, the use the timber as a major source of fuel, building material, and paper products, a hundred thousands of trees are cut down all over the world. Urbanization has forced a man to acquire huge forest areas. As the population grows, the need for agricultural land has also increased over the years. A basic statistic showing population growth as the population grows so makes the rise, which leads to deforestation and the demand of more forests to be cut down. This is a break-down of land area per sq. km 2002 / 2008.

Some of the possible solutions to deforestation are:

• Due to public awareness, there has been a new development in most parts of the world that enforces reforestation. Especially in countries around Asia, we have seen some major changes.
• Due to new regulations and laws passed, we have also seen huge development as old trees are not allowed to be cut down, and new trees have been planted.
• Sanctuaries are actually very important, not only to save the entire wildlife but also to save leftover trees. In protecting all wildlife, sanctuaries go a long way.
• All cities do let alone new cities and have to be properly managed. The new projects need to be planned and controlled accordingly making sure new trees are planted.
• For all the wood or forest that is needed for the industry, there can be special forest plantations. This way, the wood can be harvested and cut in a regulated and controlled environment.
• In a big way, improper water management affects deforestation. If the wildlife doesn’t have water, then the entire ecosystem will falter.

Short Essay on Effects of Deforestation 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Effects of Deforestation is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide CO2, helping to reduce the number of carbon compounds in the atmosphere. Carbon reduction will help to slow and stop the greenhouse effect, as it is one of the key causes of global warming.

The diverse effects of deforestation are mainly causing our environments worse, such as soil erosion, biodiversity impacts and social effects. In the monsoon season, washing away of soil are some immediate effects of deforestation. This is because trees are no longer binding and anchoring the soil and so mudslides take place. By the large amounts of water, the Earthis leached of minerals.

Deforestation has varieties of social effects on our society; its impact affects us not only humans but also animals, plants and the surrounding environment. Deforestation forces and causes the surrounding to adapt in order to survive such difficult situations. There has been a new development in most parts of the world that enforces reforestation. Especially in countries around Asia, we have seen some major changes.

10 Lines on Effects of Deforestation in English

• Deforestation is a process cutting down its trees and bushes and removal of forest.
• Forests satisfy us in numerous ways, and it is not ethical to destroy them completely.
• Making land available for the habitation of human is the major reason behind deforestation.
• Another big reason for deforestation is to get the costly item like oil from the Palm tree.
• Deforestation is a very slow process, but it is done by cutting down every single tree.
• The burning of trees is one of the faster processes of deforestation.
• Deforestation helps and promotes the increase of the Green House Gases like Carbon dioxide CO2, which are hazardous as well as dangerous.
• Trees actually reduce the soil erosion to almost zero levels which do increases after the process of deforestation.
• Deforest forces the wild animals like panther, lion, and tiger to run towards the villages and towns.
• Deforestation has increased rapidly in the past few decades, and its effect can be clearly seen.

FAQ’s on Effects of Deforestation Essay

Question 1.  What are the effects of deforestation Class 8?

Answer:  The percolation of rainwater into the soil is reduced when the forest trees are cut down. A lot of water of heavy rain from deforested soil due to deforestation rushes into the rivers quickly, causing floods.

Question 2. What are the effects of deforestation on humans?

Answer:  But deforestation is having another worrisome effect: an increase in malaria and dengue fever, which are the spread of life-threatening diseases.

Question 3. Why is it important to stop deforestation?

Answer:  Keeping forests drought by regulating regional rainfall and intact also help prevent floods. And because many forest and indigenous peoples rely on tropical-forests for their livelihoods, investments in reducing deforestation provide without deforestation them with the resources they need for sustainable development.

• Picture Dictionary
• English Speech
• English Slogans
• English Letter Writing
• English Essay Writing
• English Textbook Answers
• Types of Certificates
• ICSE Solutions
• Selina ICSE Solutions
• ML Aggarwal Solutions
• HSSLive Plus One
• HSSLive Plus Two
• Kerala SSLC
• Distance Education

• ENVIRONMENT

Why deforestation matters—and what we can do to stop it

Large scale destruction of trees—deforestation—affects ecosystems, climate, and even increases risk for zoonotic diseases spreading to humans.

As the world seeks to slow the pace of climate change , preserve wildlife, and support more than eight billion people , trees inevitably hold a major part of the answer. Yet the mass destruction of trees—deforestation—continues, sacrificing the long-term benefits of standing trees for short-term gain of fuel, and materials for manufacturing and construction.

We need trees for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that they absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale and the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that human activities emit. As those gases enter the atmosphere, global warming increases, a trend scientists now prefer to call climate change.

There is also the imminent danger of disease caused by deforestation. An estimated 60 percent of emerging infectious diseases come from animals, and a major cause of viruses’ jump from wildlife to humans is habitat loss, often through deforestation.

But we can still save our forests. Aggressive efforts to rewild and reforest are already showing success. Tropical tree cover alone can provide 23 percent of the climate mitigation needed to meet goals set in the Paris Agreement in 2015, according to one estimate .

Causes of deforestation

Forests still cover about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Since 1990, the world has lost more than 420 million hectares or about a billion acres of forest, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations —mainly in Africa and South America. About 17 percent of the Amazonian rainforest has been destroyed over the past 50 years, and losses recently have been on the rise . The organization Amazon Conservation reports that destruction rose by 21 percent in 2020 , a loss the size of Israel.

Farming, grazing of livestock, mining, and drilling combined account for more than half of all deforestation . Forestry practices, wildfires and, in small part, urbanization account for the rest. In Malaysia and Indonesia, forests are cut down to make way for producing palm oil , which can be found in everything from shampoo to saltine crackers. In the Amazon, cattle ranching and farms—particularly soy plantations—are key culprits .

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Logging operations, which provide the world’s wood and paper products, also fell countless trees each year. Loggers, some of them acting illegally , also build roads to access more and more remote forests—which leads to further deforestation. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban sprawl as land is developed for homes.

Not all deforestation is intentional. Some is caused by a combination of human and natural factors like wildfires and overgrazing, which may prevent the growth of young trees.

Why it matters

There are some 250 million people who live in forest and savannah areas and depend on them for subsistence and income—many of them among the world’s rural poor.

Eighty percent of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests , and deforestation threatens species including the orangutan , Sumatran tiger , and many species of birds. Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its canopy, which blocks the sun’s rays during the day and retains heat at night. That disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals.

With wild habitats destroyed and human life ever expanding, the line between animal and human areas blurs, opening the door to zoonotic diseases . In 2014, for example, the Ebola virus killed over 11,000 people in West Africa after fruit bats transmitted the disease to a toddler who was playing near trees where bats were roosting.

( How deforestation is leading to more infectious diseases in humans .)

You May Also Like

‘This is Cofán land’: the fight to save Amazonia from intruders

Forests are reeling from climate change—but the future isn’t lost

Why forests are our best chance for survival in a warming world

Some scientists believe there could be as many as 1.7 million currently “undiscovered” viruses in mammals and birds, of which up to 827,000 could have the ability to infect people, according to a 2018 study .

Deforestation’s effects reach far beyond the people and animals where trees are cut. The South American rainforest, for example, influences regional and perhaps even global water cycles, and it's key to the water supply in Brazilian cities and neighboring countries. The Amazon actually helps furnish water to some of the soy farmers and beef ranchers who are clearing the forest. The loss of clean water and biodiversity from all forests could have many other effects we can’t foresee, touching even your morning cup of coffee .

In terms of climate change, cutting trees both adds carbon dioxide to the air and removes the ability to absorb existing carbon dioxide. If tropical deforestation were a country, according to the World Resources Institute , it would rank third in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, behind China and the U.S.

What can be done

The numbers are grim, but many conservationists see reasons for hope . A movement is under way to preserve existing forest ecosystems and restore lost tree cover by first reforesting (replanting trees) and ultimately rewilding (a more comprehensive mission to restore entire ecosystems).

( Which nation could be the first to be rewilded ?)

Organizations and activists are working to fight illegal mining and logging—National Geographic Explorer Topher White, for example, has come up with a way to use recycled cell phones to monitor for chainsaws . In Tanzania, the residents of Kokota have planted more than 2 million trees on their small island over a decade, aiming to repair previous damage. And in Brazil, conservationists are rallying in the face of ominous signals that the government may roll back forest protections.

( Which tree planting projects should you support ?)

Stopping deforestation before it reaches a critical point will play a key role in avoiding the next zoonotic pandemic. A November 2022 study showed that when bats struggle to find suitable habitat, they travel closer to human communities where diseases are more likely to spillover. Inversely, when bats’ native habitats were left intact, they stayed away from humans. This research is the first to show how we can predict and avoid spillovers through monitoring and maintaining wildlife habitats.

For consumers, it makes sense to examine the products and meats you buy, looking for sustainably produced sources when you can. Nonprofit groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance certify products they consider sustainable, while the World Wildlife Fund has a palm oil scorecard for consumer brands.

Related Topics

• DEFORESTATION
• ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
• RAINFORESTS

What is the ozone layer, and why does it matter?

Cobalt powers our lives. What is it—and why is it so controversial?

Why all life on Earth depends on trees

Why old-growth forests matter

What's the oldest tree on Earth—and will it survive climate change?

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Essay on Effects of Deforestation

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effects of Deforestation in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effects of Deforestation

Introduction.

Deforestation refers to the removal or clearing of forests, often to make way for human activities. This has significant effects on our environment.

Effect on Biodiversity

Deforestation leads to loss of habitat for millions of species. Many of them, unable to adapt to new environments, face extinction.

Impact on Climate

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. When forests are cut down, this absorption stops, accelerating global warming.

Influence on Soil Erosion

Trees hold soil together. Without them, soil is free to wash or blow away, which can lead to desertification.

Deforestation has serious consequences. It’s crucial we find sustainable solutions to save our forests.

250 Words Essay on Effects of Deforestation

Deforestation, the large-scale removal of forests, has emerged as a major environmental concern due to its far-reaching implications. It’s not just the loss of trees; the entire ecosystem is disrupted, leading to a cascade of negative effects.

Climate Change

Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 emissions. When trees are cut down, this carbon is released back into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Additionally, without trees to regulate temperature and precipitation, local climates can become more extreme.

Biodiversity Loss

Forests are home to over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. Deforestation leads to habitat loss, threatening the survival of numerous species. This loss of biodiversity can disrupt ecosystems, affecting their resilience and functionality.

Soil Erosion

Trees help anchor the soil. When forests are cleared, the soil is left exposed and more susceptible to erosion. This can lead to decreased soil fertility, affecting agricultural productivity and potentially leading to food shortages.

Social Impact

Many indigenous communities depend on forests for their livelihood. Deforestation can displace these communities, eroding their cultural identity and exacerbating poverty and social inequality.

The effects of deforestation are multifaceted and interconnected, impacting not just the environment but also the social fabric. To mitigate these effects, it is crucial to promote sustainable practices, such as reforestation and responsible consumption. The future of our planet depends on our ability to balance our needs with the health of our ecosystems.

500 Words Essay on Effects of Deforestation

Deforestation, the large-scale removal of forests, has been a global issue for decades, leading to a range of environmental, social and economic problems. It is driven by a variety of factors, including agricultural expansion, logging, and urbanization. The effects of deforestation are far-reaching and have significant implications for the sustainability of our planet.

Environmental Impact

One of the most immediate effects of deforestation is the loss of habitat for millions of species. Around 80% of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes. This leads to a significant decrease in biodiversity, which can have ripple effects on ecosystems around the world.

Moreover, deforestation is a significant contributor to climate change. Trees absorb CO2, a potent greenhouse gas, thus reducing its amount in the atmosphere. When forests are cut down, not only does carbon absorption cease, but also the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Socioeconomic Consequences

Deforestation can have severe socioeconomic consequences. Many communities around the world, particularly indigenous peoples, rely on forests for their livelihoods, including food, shelter, and medicine. Deforestation can displace these communities, leading to loss of culture, social structures, and economic stability.

Moreover, the loss of forests can lead to soil erosion, reducing the quality and productivity of the land. This can have significant implications for agriculture and food security. Forests also play a crucial role in water cycles. Their removal can disrupt local water supplies and contribute to desertification.

Health Implications

Deforestation can also lead to health issues. Forests act as a buffer against disease transmission. For instance, they regulate the population of disease-carrying organisms like mosquitoes. With deforestation, the risk of diseases such as malaria and Lyme disease increases.

Moreover, the burning of forests releases particulate matter and toxic gases, which can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues. The loss of medicinal plants, many of which are yet to be discovered, also poses a significant risk to global health.

In conclusion, the effects of deforestation are far-reaching, affecting not just the environment, but also social structures, economies, and human health. It is a complex issue with no simple solutions. However, understanding these effects is the first step towards mitigating them. It is crucial for policymakers, researchers, and individuals to work together to develop sustainable practices and policies that balance the need for economic development with the preservation of our planet’s forests.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Mysore Dasara Festival
• Essay on Forest
• Essay on My Picnic

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Climate & Pollution Climate

Resources for Journalists

• Food & Farming Media Network
• How to Pitch Us
• Freelance Charter
• Work With Us
• Environmental Policy
• Code of Ethics
• Testimonials

The Causes and Effects of Deforestation, Explained

A big aspect of climate change, summarized briefly.

Explainer • Climate • Environment

Words by Seth Millstein

Deforestation is the process of clearing forests and using the land for other purposes. Although it’s been a part of human society for thousands of years, the pace of deforestation has exploded in recent years, and the planet is paying the price. The causes and effects of deforestation are complex and intertwined, and the impacts are far-reaching and undeniable. Let’s take a closer look at how deforestation works , and how it negatively impacts the planet, animals and humanity.

What Is Deforestation?

Deforestation is the permanent clearing and repurposing of previously forested land. Though there are a number of motivations behind deforestation, it’s generally carried out to repurpose the land for other uses, mainly agriculture, or to extract resources.

Deforestation itself is nothing new, as humans have been clearing forested land for millennia . But the rate at which we destroy forests has increased dramatically: half of all deforestation that’s occurred since 8,000 BC took place in the last 100 years .

In addition to deforestation, forested land is also lost through a similar process known as forest degradation. This is when some, but not all, of the trees in a forested area are cleared, and the land is not repurposed for any other use.

While forest degradation isn’t a good thing by any measure, it’s much less harmful in the long-term than deforestation. Degraded forests will grow back over time, but the trees lost to deforestation are usually lost forever.

How Much Land Has Already Been Deforested?

When the last Ice Age ended around 10,000 years ago, there were roughly six billion hectares of forest on Earth. Since then, around a third of that forest , or two billion hectares, has been destroyed. Around 75 percent of this loss occurred over the last 300 years.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that currently, humans destroy around 10 million hectares of forest every year.

Where Does Deforestation Occur?

Although it happens around the world to some degree, around 95 percent of deforestation occurs in the tropics , and one-third of that takes place in Brazil. Another 14 percent occurs in Indonesia ; collectively, Brazil and Indonesia account for about 45 percent of all deforestation worldwide. About 20 percent of tropical deforestation takes place in South American countries other than Brazil, and another 17 percent occurs in Africa.

By contrast, around two-thirds of all forest degradation occurs in temperate regions , primarily North America, China, Russia and South Asia.

What Are the Biggest Drivers of Deforestation?

Humans deforest land for a number of reasons, but the biggest by far is agriculture. According to the United Nations, 90 percent of global deforestation is carried out to repurpose the land for agricultural use — mostly to raise cattle, grow soybeans and produce palm oil.

Beef Production

Beef production is the single-biggest driver of deforestation , tropical and otherwise. Around 39 percent of global deforestation , and 72 percent of deforestation in Brazil alone, is carried out to create grazing pastures for cattle.

Soy Production (Mostly to Feed Livestock)

Another significant driver of agricultural deforestation is soybean production. While soy is a popular meat and dairy replacement, only around seven percent of global soy is directly consumed by humans. The majority of soy —  75 percent — is used to feed livestock , meaning that most soy-driven deforestation is carried out to aid in agricultural expansion.

Palm Oil Production

The conversion of forested land to palm oil plantations is another primary motivation behind tropical deforestation. Palm oil is a versatile ingredient that’s used in a wide variety of everyday products, including nuts, bread, margarine, cosmetics, fuel and more. It’s derived from the fruit of oil palm trees, and is grown mostly in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Paper and Other Agriculture

Beef, soy and palm oil are collectively responsible for 60 percent of tropical deforestation. Other notable drivers include forestry and the production of paper (13 percent of tropical deforestation), rice and other cereals (10 percent), and vegetables, fruits and nuts (seven percent).

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Deforestation?

Deforestation impacts the environment in a number of negative ways, some more obvious than others.

Global Warming and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Deforestation emits massive amounts of greenhouse gasses, and is a significant contributor to rising global temperatures, in a few different ways.

Trees trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, branches, leaves and roots. This makes them a crucial tool for reducing global warming, as carbon dioxide is a potent greenhouse gas. When those trees are removed, however, that carbon dioxide is then released back into the air.

The greenhouse emissions don’t end there, however. As we’ve seen, the vast majority of deforested land is converted for agricultural use, and agriculture itself is a huge contributor to global warming as well. Animal agriculture is especially damaging, with scientists estimating that between 11 and 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock farms .

Finally, the absence of trees on deforested land means that carbon dioxide that’s emitted from other sources, such as vehicles or local communities, is no longer being stored by trees. As such, deforestation increases net greenhouse emissions in three ways: it releases the carbon that’s already stored in the forest, it prevents the trapping of additional carbon from other sources and it facilitates the release of “new” greenhouse gasses through its conversion to agricultural land.

Loss of Biodiversity

Earth is a vast, interconnected ecosystem, and a certain level of biodiversity is required to ensure that it maintains its equilibrium. Deforestation is reducing this biodiversity every day.

Forests are teeming with life. Millions of different animals, plants and insects call the forest their home, including three million different species in the Amazon rainforest alone. Over a dozen animal species can only be found in the Amazon rainforest .

Destroying these forests destroys these animals’ homes and, in the long term, threatens the continued survival of their species. This isn’t a hypothetical concern: every day, about 135 plant and animal species go extinct because of deforestation , and an estimated 10,000 additional species — including 2,800 species of animal — are at risk of extinction due to deforestation in the Amazon alone. Palm oil production in particular has driven orangutans to the brink of extinction .

We are living in a period mass extinction — the sixth to occur during Earth’s lifetime. This matters not only because it’s sad when cute animals die, but rather, because accelerated periods of extinction threaten to disrupt the delicate equilibrium that allows Earth’s ecosystem to continue existing.

A 2023 study found that over the last 500 years, entire genuses have been going extinct at a rate 35 times higher than the historical average. This rate of extinction, the authors of the study wrote, is “destroying the conditions that make human life possible.”

Soil Erosion and Degradation

It may not get as much attention as oil or gold, but soil is a vital natural resource that we and countless other creatures rely on to survive. Trees and other natural vegetation shield soil from the sun and rain, and help hold it in place. When those trees are removed, the nutrient-rich topsoil becomes loosened, and is more susceptible to erosion and degradation by the elements.

Soil erosion and soil degradation have a number of dangerous effects. In the most general sense, degradation and erosion make soil less viable for supporting plant life, and reduces the number of plants that the land can support. Degraded soil is also worse at retaining water, thus increasing the risk of flooding . Sediment from eroded soil is also a major water pollutant that imperils fish populations and human drinking water alike.

These effects can continue for decades after deforested land is repurposed, as the crops grown on deforested land often don’t hold onto the topsoil as firmly as the natural vegetation did.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Deforestation?

Government regulation.

In Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has reduced deforestation rates in his country significantly since taking office in 2019. His administration has accomplished this largely by empowering regulatory agencies to more closely track and monitor illegal deforestation, increasing enforcement of anti-deforestation laws, and in general, cracking down on illegal deforestation.

Industry Pledges

There’s also some sign that voluntary industry pledges can help curb deforestation. In 2006, a collective of major soybean traders agreed to no longer buy soy that was grown on deforested land. Eight years later, the share of soybean expansion on previously-forested lands fell from 30 percent to one percent.

Reforestation and Afforestation

Lastly, there is reforestation and afforestation — the process of planting trees on deforested land or new land, respectively. In China, afforestation initiatives enacted by the government in the late 1970s have increased the country’s tree cover from 12 percent to 22 percent, while local reforestation programs have planted at least 50 million additional trees around the Earth in the last 35 years.

The Bottom Line

Deforestation’s environmental impact is clear: it releases greenhouse gasses, pollutes the water, kills plants and animals, erodes the soil and reduces the planet’s biodiversity. Unfortunately, it’s also become more and more common over the centuries, and without focused, aggressive action to curb it, deforestation will likely only get worse over time.

Independent Journalism Needs You

Seth Millstein is a writer and musician living in the Bay Area. He has helped launch several early-stage journalism startups, including Bustle and Timeline, and his work has been published in Bustle, Huffington Post, The Daily Dot and elsewhere.

Investigation

UN Green Climate Fund Investing in Factory Farming, Report Finds

Climate • 6 min read

More Climate & Pollution

Upcycled Foods Offer Creative Fix for Food Waste

Climate • 5 min read

Misinformation on Climate and Meat Pushed by Russian-Backed Influencers in U.S.

One right wing influencer pushes meat and misinformation.

Climate • 4 min read

Shareholder Activists Push Fast Food Chains to Commit to Climate Targets

How Jack in the Box and Wingstop agreed to their first climate goals.

The Top U.S. Cities with Climate-Friendly Food Policies

Climate • 9 min read

The Word ‘Vegan’ Is Still More Reviled Than ‘Plant-Based’ But…Why?

Food • 9 min read

Why Vegan Restaurants Going Un-Vegan Isn’t Necessarily a Long-Term Problem

Diet • 5 min read

FBI Records Reveal Ironic Accusations Against Animal Activists

Law & Justice • 6 min read

Book Review: ‘Meet the Neighbors’ by Brandon Keim Compassionately Complicates the Narrative about Animals

Science • 8 min read

Most Read Today

• Syngenta Spent Decades Attempting To Quiet Health Concerns About Its Profitable Herbicide.
• The Month in a Minute: October 2024
• Are Zoos Good or Bad for Animals? The Argument, Explained
• 13 Animals Going Extinct — in Large Part Thanks To Humans
• Measure J & Other Ballot Measures to Ban Slaughterhouses, Explained
• How To Explain Lab-Grown Meat Simply (For People Who Aren’t Scientists)
• What Are Food Deserts and Why Do They Exist?
• What Is Sustainable Agriculture?

Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem Essay

Introduction, the short-term effects of deforestation, long-term effects of deforestation, how human activities have caused deforestation, prevention and mitigation strategies for deforestation.

The increases in the population of humankind have put a strain on natural resources. This analogy provides reasons why human activities are the leading cause of deforestation. Among the human factors for deforestation are global warming, climate change, acid rain, natural storms, and forest fires. Virgin land has been lost significantly in the United States alone. An additional 5 million acres of forest land have been destroyed annually between 2001 and 2015, and the statistics do not seem to end. 25% of pharmaceuticals and half of cancer treatment drugs introduced since 1940 are manufactured from rainforest ingredients. Therefore, losing this precious resource is a matter of grave concern. Deforestation has serious long-term and short-term effects on the ecosystem and human health, which is the main focus of this paper’s discussion. In addition, the debate forwards potential mitigation strategies.

Deforestation has immediate effects on plants and animals, alias flora and fauna. Forests are a habitat for several animals and plants, including nesting birds, nestlings, and eggs of various animals. Loss of habitat for such living organisms leads to the death of many of them. The few that survive are forced to relocate to other environments. The laws of survival of the fittest create territory wars with species of different kinds, including natural selection for population control. One of the immediate effects of deforestation is its severe effects on flora and fauna that the rainforest provides refuge in.

Rainforests and the majority of forest plantations occupy vast land on the leeward side of the mountainous regions. Geographically, this side of the mountain receives generous amounts of rainfall for the survival of plantations. Such steep slopes on which forest vegetation grows are prone to erosion, landslides, and avalanches. Trees have roots that hold the soil together to prevent corrosion. Also, they provide a catchment area for snow, particularly during the winter seasons, to prevent landslides and avalanches. Destruction of forest reserves by human primary and secondary activities reduces these benefits and exposes man to danger and soil destruction.

Deforestation exposes soil to heat and rain which quickly damages the top soil viable for agricultural production. There is a substantial rapid degradation of the quality and fertility of such lands. Also, the exposure of the tops soil due to deforestation leads to erosion and avalanches, as has been highlighted. Removing the top fertile soil through flooding and sedimentation is detrimental to the fisheries of the coastal region and food production. Soil quality deterioration, flooding, and exposure of soil are all qualities are short-term effects of deforestation that reduce sustainable food production for humanity.

One of the long-term effects of deforestation is global warming. Trees, being plants, absorb carbon dioxide for food production during photosynthesis. At the same time, respiration occurs through the process of oxygen emission by plants. The growth of forests provides an environment in which photosynthesis exceeds respiration to end that surplus carbon is stored in tree trunks in sequestration. This carbon is released into the atmosphere when trees are cut down for whatever purpose to produce global warming and its detrimental effects.

Climate change and imbalance are the subsequent tragedy of deforestation to humanity. Forest cover is responsible for absorbing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. The release of oxygen in the atmosphere explains the humid atmospheric climate in the rainforests and other forest covers. Additionally, the shade the trees provide for the soil is responsible for soil moisture. Cutting down trees and losing trees in general leads to severe imbalances in the climatic conditions, which tend to be drier.

Deforestation is a significant influence in the formation of acidic rain. Acid rain has emanated from the reaction between sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. However, there is overwhelming evidence from scientific research that reveals that burning fossil fuel and biomass produce chemicals for forming formic acid. Such compounds called terpenoids are exposed to oxygenating agents to produce formic acid responsible for acid rain formation. Acid rain from deforestation introduces risks to the natural ecosystem and habitat for several organisms. Ocean species face more significant risks in addition to what industrial pollution adds to the acid rain from deforestation. It is then safe to conclude that deforestation causes acid rain, considerably influencing biodiversity’s instability.

Deforestation leads to a decrease in the general quality of life of human beings. Many people draw their survival from the existence of forests and their benefits. Agricultural production is a function of rainfall which increases with the preservation of forests. Other people rely on hunting and gathering, which is also a benefit reserved for the existence of the woods. Herbalists create drugs and pharmaceutical interventions from the proceeds of the forest. Other necessities used by humanity, including natural oils, fruits, nuts, resins, latex, and cork, are resident in tropical and rain forests. In addition, many lives have been disrupted by deforestation, for instance, the migration of people in Brazil. Intuitively, deforestation significantly affects man’s quality of life in the long term.

When the human population increases, there is a need to create a habitat land for them. This concept is defined as urbanization, a process through which cities grow. Urbanization statistics provide by 2030, over 60% of the world population, which accounts for over five billion people, will be living in urban areas. The percentage of people living in the urban areas as of 1955 was merely 15.6%. Therefore, notable that with these calculations, there is an influx of the growth of cities by 15.6% in just 65 years alone. Part of the land that provides room for urbanization has crept from the forest reserves. Conclusively, urbanization as part of the human settlement program is one of the leading causes of deforestation.

Food production for sustenance demands vast agricultural land for livestock and plant farming. One of the leading causes of deforestation is the conversion of forest lands into agricultural lands. Research shows a net loss of 5.5 million acres of forest land in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay alone, with 3 million of the same land traced to agricultural needs. These areas recorded such losses in a period ranging from the year 2000 to 2015. The ever-increasing world population is more needful of food in the trending years, which explains that if nothing is done, there is a risk that even more forest land will be converted into agricultural usage. It is with this profound evidence that another leading cause of deforestation is agricultural production for food sustenance.

Livestock rearing and ranching is another typical driver for deforestation globally. Latin America leads in extensive cattle grazing, which has severed a significant chunk of the forest cover. Research done in 2006 reported that from 2000 to 2010, people would convert 24 million acres of land for grazing and livestock rearing. The demand for Amazon beef and products from the soybean industries in Latin America and worldwide is responsible for the deforestation for livestock rearing.

The industrial revolution has seen several manufacturing and processing companies spring up. For a long time, there hasn’t been a universal remedy for waste control and management in the global scope, particularly for developing nations. Improper waste disposal introduces agents of acid rain into the atmosphere. Trees growing in highly elevated regions become significantly disadvantaged because they sit under acidic clouds. Acidic rain releases aluminum into the soil, making it difficult for trees growing in such areas to take up water and nutrients such as magnesium and calcium. Trees are then exposed to damaging agents like cold weather, diseases, and infections, resulting in deforestation.

Climatic influences majorly cause wildfires in tropical forests. However, there are shreds of evidence that anthropogenic ignition sources cause part of the wild forest fires. One such anthropogenic ignition source is the habitual logging and charcoal burning in as much as in most countries, which is unlawful, illegal, and incriminating. Selective logging is also responsible for shifting climatic patterns that expose forest lands to thermal conditions vulnerable to wildfires. While it is the climatic influences that produce most deforestation through the fire, it is human influences that are responsible for the climatic changes. In addition, human activities such as selective logging and charcoal burning are responsible for losing vast forest reserves.

There are several mitigation and prevention strategies for deforestation. Since deforestation is one of the hindrances to the achievements of the millennium development goals because of the effects of global warming and climate change it causes, this is one of the most widely researched topics. Mitigation measures for deforestation include eco-forestry, afforestation, and reforestation. Other includes; law enforcement, green-energy use, recycling, and several strategies that have been documented as potential solutions. However, this discussion forwards an argument favoring international body governance, commercial afforestation, evidence-based policy formation, and law enforcement.

One of the mitigation strategies is the utility of international organizations as drivers of change. For instance, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international body whose function is to ensure forest lands’ preservation against depletion. One of the projects they currently handle is called the Clean Development Mechanism. In this project, they strive to foster the need for member countries to create avenues for afforestation and reforestation. Engaging such international bodies provide management oversight for national and local drivers of change. These international bodies should ensure that each member country has sub-unions responsible for environmental conservation and that they provide supervision.

Researchers provide that the use of wood and timber may not decline in the coming ages. This looming problem is why there has been a constant demand for deforestation. Finding a solution that can sustainably allow for the usage of timber and the preservation of forests is plausible to mitigate deforestation. One such strategy is commercial afforestation which is planting trees for money. In research that Foster and his team did, they argue that irrespective of whether trees are harvested, there is potential to mitigate 1.64 Pg CO 2 e by 2120. They provide definitive evidence that commercial afforestation alone can provide greenhouse gas mitigation. This intervention is also beneficial in giving a carbon-free future.

The law and its enforcement agencies factor significantly in ending deforestation. A case study of law enforcement and policy formulation in Brazil has proven to yield results. However, the success of Brazil in significantly reducing deforestation was strategic and evidence-based. Conducting research on the causes of deforestation in a region provides policy recommendations for strategic management practices, including which laws to implement aggressively. Countries like Indonesia have met a limited extent of success because their law enforcement is not based on a strategic policy informed by research. Forest law enforcement based on evidence from policy information is pertinent to reducing levels of deforestation in any country.

Deforestation is a primary global concern because of its effects on global warming and climate change. Other detrimental effects of concern include biodiversity change, the risk to the overall living standards of human beings, and the risk to agricultural production, among several other long and short-term effects. Most of the causes of deforestation are caused by human activities, irrespective of whether they are primary or secondary causes. Chief causes of deforestation include acid rain, urbanization, agricultural production, livestock rearing, and wildfires. It is possible to prevent deforestation, and mitigation of such activities is realizable. Measures of relief and prevention include evidence-based policy law enforcement, international bodies’ intervention, and commercial afforestation. Other measures include eco-forestry, afforestation, reforestation, recycling, and green-energy use.

Dearden, Philip, and Bruce Mitchell. Environmental Change & Challenge: A Canadian Perspective . 6th ed. Oxford University Press, 2016.

Fang, C., Liu, H., & Wang, S. (2021). The coupling curve between urbanization and the eco-environment: China’s urban agglomeration as a case study . Ecological Indicators , 130 , 108107. Web.

Forster, E. J., Healey, J. R., Dymond, C., & Styles, D. (2021). Commercial afforestation can deliver effective climate change mitigation under multiple decarbonization pathways. Nature communications , 12 (1), 1-12. Web.

Franco-Solís, Alberto, and Claudia V. Montanía. “ Dynamics of deforestation worldwide: A structural decomposition analysis of agricultural land use in South America .” Land Use Policy 109 (2021): 105619. Web.

Gu, C. (2019). Urbanization: Processes and driving forces . Science China Earth Sciences , 62 (9), 1351-1360. Web.

Hickmann, Thomas, Oscar Widerberg, Markus Lederer, and Philipp Pattberg. “ The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat as an orchestrator in global climate policymaking .” International Review of Administrative Sciences 87, no. 1 (2021): 21-38. Web.

Mollinari, Manoela Schiavon Machado. “ Fire in the Amazon forest amidst selective logging and climatic variation .” Ph.D. diss., University of Sheffield, 2020. Web.

Ortiz, Diana I., Marta Piche-Ovares, Luis M. Romero-Vega, Joseph Wagman, and Adriana Troyo. “ The Impact of Deforestation, Urbanization, and Changing Land Use Patterns on the Ecology of Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America .” MDPI. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2021. Web.

Raven, Peter H., and David L. Wagner. “ Agricultural intensification and climate change are rapidly decreasing insect biodiversity .” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, no. 2 (2021): e2002548117. Web.

Sarmin, N. S., Hasmadi, I. M., Pakhriazad, H. Z., & Khairil, W. A. (2016). The DPSIR framework for causes analysis of mangrove deforestation in Johor, Malaysia. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management , 6 , 214-218.

Tacconi, Luca, Rafael J. Rodrigues, and Ahmad Maryudi. “ Law enforcement and deforestation: Lessons for Indonesia from Brazil .” Forest policy and economics 108 (2019): 101943. Web.

Shah, Shipra, and Jahangeer A. Bhat. “ Ethnomedicinal knowledge of indigenous communities and pharmaceutical potential of rainforest ecosystems in Fiji Islands .” Journal of integrative medicine 17, no. 4 (2019): 244-249. Web.

Thornton, P., & Herrero, M. (2010). The Inter-Linkages between Rapid Growth in Livestock Production, Climate Change, and the Impacts on Water Resources, Land Use, and Deforestation . World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 5178, Web.

• Getting to Carbon Footprint Reduction
• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships
• The National Response Framework and COVID-19
• Urban Form Determinants of Rome
• Sri Lankan Civil War as 20th-Century's Inhumanity
• Negative Consequences of Burning Oil on the Planet
• Oil Drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge
• Exxon Pipeline Spill in Arkansas in 2013
• Carbon Footprint and Sustainable Living
• The Environmental Impacts of Exploratory Drilling
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 30). Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem. https://ivypanda.com/essays/deforestation-as-a-human-made-environmental-problem/

"Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem." IvyPanda , 30 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/deforestation-as-a-human-made-environmental-problem/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem'. 30 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem." March 30, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/deforestation-as-a-human-made-environmental-problem/.

1. IvyPanda . "Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem." March 30, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/deforestation-as-a-human-made-environmental-problem/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Deforestation as a Human-Made Environmental Problem." March 30, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/deforestation-as-a-human-made-environmental-problem/.

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment