Discussing Deforestation
Plants and trees are being cut down every second for development and our requirements
One football field of forest gone every second
Introduction
Deforestation is the deliberate clearing of forested land. Historically and in contemporary times, forests have been cleared to make way for agriculture and livestock grazing, as well as to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction.
History
The conversion of forests into land used for other purposes has a long history. Earth’s croplands, covering about 49 million square kilometres, are largely made up of deforested areas. Most current croplands receive sufficient rainfall and are warm enough to have once supported various types of forests. Only around 1 million square kilometres (390,000 square miles) of cropland are situated in regions that would have been cool boreal forests, such as in Scandinavia and northern Canada. Much of the rest was once moist subtropical or tropical forest, or temperate forest in areas like eastern North America, western Europe, and eastern China.
While much of the land cleared for agriculture and grazing represents permanent and ongoing deforestation, some deforestation is temporary. For example, by the 1870s, about half of eastern North America was deforested, with almost all of it having been cleared at least once since European colonisation in the early 1600s. Since then, forest cover in the region has increased, although most of the trees are relatively young. Few areas in eastern North America still have stands of untouched old-growth forests.
“The main reason tropical forests are disappearing is not a mystery — vast areas continue to be cleared for soy, beef, palm oil, timber, and other globally traded commodities.’’
- Frances Seymour, the World Resources Institute.
Causes
- Conversion to Agriculture
- Fire
- Economic development
- Mining
- Climate change
Impacts
- Increased emission of Greenhouse gases
- Rise in soil erosion
- Disruption of water cycles
- Impact on livelihood
Ways to Monitor
There are several effective methods for reducing and monitoring deforestation. One approach is the visual interpretation of aerial photographs or satellite imagery. This method is labour-intensive but does not require advanced training in computer image processing or extensive computational resources. Another approach involves hot-spot analysis, which uses expert opinions or coarse-resolution satellite data to identify areas experiencing rapid change. These locations can then be analysed in detail with high-resolution satellite images.
Deforestation is typically assessed by measuring the area that has been cleared at a given time. From an environmental perspective, it is crucial to quantify the damage and understand its potential consequences, while conservation efforts focus on protecting existing forested areas and developing alternative land-use strategies to prevent further deforestation. Monitoring the rate of deforestation and the total area deforested is a common practice in many regions, such as the Brazilian Amazon, where the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) monitors deforestation. A global satellite view provides an example of land change science, offering a comprehensive view of land cover changes over time.
Making a Difference
You can contribute to the efforts against deforestation by doing these easy steps,
- Plant More Trees
- Go Paperless
- Support Responsible Companies
- Buy Certified Wood Products
- Buy and Use Responsibly
- Avoid Palm Oil
- Recycle and Buy Recycled Products
- Educate Others
- Support Sustainable Agriculture
- Advocate for Forest Protection Policies
- Support Indigenous Rights
- Offset Your Carbon Footprint
- Reduce Meat Consumption
- Use Renewable Energy
- Volunteer or Donate
In Conclusion
In conclusion, deforestation poses a significant threat to biodiversity, climate stability, and the overall health of our planet. The continued loss of forests not only disrupts ecosystems and displaces countless species but also negatively impacts climate change by reducing the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Addressing deforestation in a major requirement, through an approach involving the enforcement of stronger conservation policies, sustainable land management practices, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods for communities that depend on forest resources. By prioritising the protection and restoration of forests, we can help preserve vital ecosystems, mitigate climate impacts, and ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come.
