Deforestation: Definition, Causes, Impacts & Preventive Measures

Deforestation: The procedure of removing large portions of trees from forest or land without replanting them is called deforestation. These trees are destroyed from forests or cleared from lands mainly to facilitate the requirements needs of human beings like building new industries or living spaces. Deforestation has been a matter of concern in the present century as it directly impacts global warming, a major issue the world is facing now.

A forest is a large area of land covered with trees, plants and bushes. It is a home for many living beings. A wide variety of microorganisms, plants, birds and animals live in forests. Apart from their basic importance, forests add aesthetic value to the environment. This article will discuss the meaning of deforestation, its causes, effects, and impacts on the globe and the control or preventive measures we can take to save Earth.

What is Deforestation?

Deforestation can be defined as the removal of trees from forests or other lands on a large scale for the facilitation of human activities. It is a serious environmental concern since it results in loss of biodiversity, damage to natural habitats, disturbances in the water cycle, and soil erosion. Deforestation is also a major cause of climate change and global warming.

Definition of Deforestation

“Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.”

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What is the Importance of Forest?

Forests are the best gift nature has provided to mankind. It provides space for living to many of the living organisms. Forest constituents of different kinds of Herbs, Shrubs along with different kinds of trees.

1. Forest acts as a great source of oxygen and helps in maintaining the temperature levels of the atmosphere.
2. Forest is one of the important source from where we get clean drinking water.
3. Water in the soil is absorbed by the plant’s roots and the excess water is released into the atmosphere which helps in the occurrence of rainfall.
4. Forests help in sustainability by managing biodiversity.
5. Forest provides shelter and shade.
6. Forests provide us with fruits, timber, water, medicine, etc.
7. They are also a source of raw material for many commercially important products such as paper, wood, and fabric.
8. Forest provides nearly 1.6 billion people with employment benefits.
9. Forest helps in managing climate, soil erosion, and controlling noise pollution.
10. Forest controls climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases and acting as a carbon storehouse.
11. Forests play a vital role in the water cycle.

Does Deforestation Disturb Animal Life in the Forest?

Yes, deforestation causes a major impact on some animal species that are entirely dependent upon old-growth forest habitats. Without the forests and few natural habitats, the animals are left with no place to live and breed. Cutting down trees in the forest reduces the number of wild creatures because birds, reptiles, and insects lose their homes and food supplies. Many animals are on the edge of extinction as a result of this.

Causes of Deforestation

Deforestation is caused by a variety of factors, including population expansion, agricultural operations, logging, preference for urbanization, infrastructure development, and so on. The demand for more land to dwell on continues to increase as the population grows. This is one of the main reasons why trees are being taken down. Modernization has caused a significant increase in the demand for land for the establishment of industries. The following are the primary causes of deforestation.

1. Cattle Grazing – Cattle ranching is the highest cause of deforestation and it is high in most of the forest areas of India. According to UNFCCC Secretariat, María J. Sanz, cattle pasture causes 60% of deforestation.

2. Practice of Shifting Cultivation– The crops are cultivated for a short period of time, and then the land is left to remain fallow.

3. Adverse Effects of Industries– This is because the forest lands are cleared for undertaking these activities. Plants and trees have been cut down for the projects of many dams and industrial construction, which leads to adverse effects on the environment. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) encouraged the planting of trees, planning for the regeneration of the ecosystem, and stopping the construction of industries.

4. Requirement of Raw Materials – This leads to indiscriminate deforestation on a large scale. The raw materials which are extracted from the forest, like wood, timber, etc., are used to make furniture like chairs, tables, cots, windows, and much more things.

5. Need for Fuel-wood- Fuel-wood is a major source of power and energy, which leads to large-scale deforestation. Tribal community people cut down trees for fuel and build homes from the woods to live their life. They know the importance of forests and trim their requirements accordingly to protect the forests. Whereas the modern community people cut down trees for decorating interiors of homes and using the extract of sandalwood for beauty purposes.

6. Increasing Demand for Food – This act results in deforestation or clearance of forest for new cultivation.

7. Natural Calamities – Natural calamities like floods, forest fires, earthquakes, etc., causes the huge loss of forests and trees.

8. Construction of New Buildings, Roads and Other Infrastructural Facilities – Usage of wood and logs are used much for construction purposes which is a leading cause of deforestation.

9. Mining – It is another important factor for deforestation. Large forest or vegetation areas are cleared and burned down for mining operations. This causes degradation of land, soil erosion, etc.

Effects of Deforestation

1. The major effect of deforestation on the environment is global warming and climatic change. 
2. Deforestation causes the extinction of animals, soil erosion, increase in carbon dioxide level, and a reduction in chances of rainfall. 
3. Cutting down trees can directly or indirectly affect human health. Due to the lack of oxygen, people may suffer from breathing problems. 
4. When a forest is destroyed, the wild animals that were living there may enter the cities and villages and spoil the crops or kill people.
5. The overexploitation of wood and timber can harm the economy. The short-term economic gains made from deforestation are accompanied by reduced long-term productivity.

Deforestation Effects on Environment

1. Loss of habitat for various animal and plant species.
2. Quality of the soild degrades and results in soil degradation. The erosion of topsoil takes place, and later, it results in the poor productivity of food crops and cash crops.
3. The water cycle gets disturbed.
4. Climate change takes place, which results in global warming. This is one of the reasons why the seasons changes are getting delayed.

Effects of Deforestation on Water Cycle

Trees are known to absorb groundwater through their roots and subsequently release it into the atmosphere via the process of transpiration. Thus, trees play a vital role in the water cycle by regulating the atmospheric water vapour levels and also by providing a platform for water to enter the atmosphere from below-ground levels. If the number of trees is reduced, the occurrence of the process of transpiration will also reduce, causing a change in pattern.

Deforestation Solutions – How to Stop Deforestation?

Because deforestation causes significant changes in our environment, we as humans must open our eyes and see the gravity of the problem, as well as take the necessary steps to curb deforestation. Our environment will suffer as a result, and future generations will pay the price for our ignorance.

We, as humans, are chopping down trees haphazardly to feed our hunger, and we have blinded ourselves to the value of forests. Let’s start a campaign to raise awareness and prevent deforestation. The government needs to pay attention to this problem and penalize people who destroy forests for no reason.

1. Forest Management Program: They implement long-term forest productivity and conservation of forests. They ensure to protect the wildlife habitats and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.
2. Chipko Movement: It is an Andolan method to conserve the forest. The people saved trees by hugging them. This Chipko movement is a simple but very effective method to conserve forests.
3. Plantation on a Small and Large Scale: We should always learn to plant trees in the gardens or the parks on a small scale. Saalumarada Thimmakka, an Indian environmentalist from Karnataka, played a major role in planting trees on a large scale. So, we should thank her for this act which overcomes the problem of deforestation.

Deforestation Facts!

1. Forests cover approximately \( {\text{31% }}\) of the total land surface of the Earth.
2. Tropical forests harbour over half of all land-based animal and plant species in the world.
3. Approximately, 9 million acres of virgin tropical forest were cut down in the year 2018.
4. The Amazon rainforest, which is the source of \( {\text{20% }}\) of the world’s oxygen supply, loses approximately 1.32 acres of its area every minute due to deforestation.
5. The area of primary forest worldwide has decreased by over 80 million hectares since 1990.
6. Between 2015 and 2020, the rate of deforestation was estimated at 10 million hectares per year, down from 16 million hectares per year in the 1990s.

Summary

Deforestation is the worst thing that can happen to the environment. It not only destroys the environment but also depletes biodiversity. Forests must be saved and protected because it is the home to many wildlife species. It plays a vital role in maintaining temperature. We get fresh oxygen and good rainfall if we save trees. Government and relevant authorities must adopt a policy of zero-tolerance against deforestation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Deforestation

Q.1. What can stop deforestation?
Ans: Forest management program: They implement long-term forest productivity and conservation of forests. They ensure to protect the wildlife habitats and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.
Chipko movement: It is an Andolan to conserve the forest. The people saved trees by hugging them. This Chipko movement is a simple but very effective method to conserve forests.

Q.2. Why is deforestation so bad?
Ans: The loss of trees and natural vegetation can cause many changes such as climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and these problems affect the lives of animals and people.

Q.3. What are the 5 effects of deforestation?
Ans: The 5 effects of deforestation are:
1. Loss of habitat and wildlife extinction
2. Soil erosion
3. Floods
4. Global warming
5. Climate change and imbalance.

Q.4. What are the three causes of deforestation?
Ans: 1. Cattle Ranching
2. Subsistence Agriculture
3. Mining

Q.5. Write three importance of forest.
Ans: 1. Forest helps in maintaining the oxygen and temperature levels of the atmosphere.
2. The water in the soil is absorbed by the plant’s roots and they release excess water into the atmosphere which helps in the occurrence of rainfall.
3. Forests help in sustainability by managing biodiversity.

Students are also advised to solve practice questions on Sustainable Management of Natural Resources on Embibe. Solving these practice questions will definitely help students to understand the concept better.