Key Causes of Deforestation Explained
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ScribdTranslationsKey Causes of Deforestation Explained
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ScribdTranslationsCauses of Deforestation
What is deforestation? We can define the
deforestation as the process of stripping away a
forest land of its plants and trees, that is to say
of its vegetation. The forests fulfill valuable
functions in nature and losing them is very
harmful to the environment and, furthermore,
contribute to climate change, as the trees
they capture carbon while they grow. Only in
in some very specific cases this process can
be beneficial for the planet.
Deforestation can occur due to natural causes or as a result of human activities.
human. A fire, to be more specific, that causes deforestation can have its origin in man
to be provoked by nature, such as when lightning strikes a tree. Currently, the
the rate of deforestation is too high. Forests are ecosystems that recover very
slowly. Some varieties of plant species and, indirectly, the fauna that lives there, are
in danger if the forest disappears.
Deforestation and its causes
As we pointed out earlier, deforestation occurs when there is massive tree cutting or
out of control. This produces major changes in the ecosystem, as we will see later.
Among the main causes of deforestation, we can find some hand in hand with human activity.
human and others due to natural phenomena. We can only avoid, solve and control the first ones.
and by improving the current state of the planet we can help rebalance the second ones.
Causes of human-caused deforestation
Human activities are the main cause of deforestation and, also, it is
more serious cause as it is avoidable. Millions of hectares are felled or burned to extract timber
and other products or to convert forests into agricultural land. Mostly, these
activities are carried out in developing countries, more dependent on wood and without control
suitable for land use.
It's not about living without wood or paper, much less without food, but the forests must
to manage oneself sustainably. Hence the importance of acquiring products with the certificate of
sustainable management.
Sometimes, ranchers clear thousands of hectares of jungle, as happens in Brazil and elsewhere.
countries, so that the livestock can feed for one or two years. After that, the soil becomes depleted
and they have to move to another place.
The expansion of urban areas is another cause of tree cutting or deforestation.
What man provokes. More and more people live in cities while rural areas
they suffer from depopulation. Construction is happening excessively and for that, space is needed which is obtained
destroying forests and jungles.
Natural causes of deforestation
What causes deforestation apart from human activities? The truth is that there are some.
causes of natural origin. In summer, wildfires destroyed thousands of hectares of
forest. Moreover, with climate change, these wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent and
destructive. Australia and the United States have been suffering, in recent years, terrible wildfires.
forest fires, in the vast majority of cases, caused by the negligence of some people.
But just as man causes tree bark to be damaged, fires are not always caused by him.
man. In any case, even if they are natural, the damage to the environment that they cause
the fires are enormous, apart from the deforestation itself.
Pests and diseases of trees are another natural cause that causes
deforestation. An extreme case is what is happening in the forests of North America, where
a beetle is slaughtering millions of trees.
Consequences of deforestation
Now that we have discussed what causes deforestation, let's talk about the consequences that
They can be more or less severe and, in some situations, they can be disastrous.
What is really serious isindiscriminate or uncontrolled logging,aside from the fires caused, already
what without aapost-reforestation and without proper management of the forests, this area will
will become a desertified area.
Deforestation leads to damage to ecosystems, a loss of biodiversity, and aridity.
the soil. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation is avoided, which contributes
al climate [Link] regions tend to suffer from soil erosion and, eventually, they
they turn into non-productive lands. This leads to the fact that no type of vegetation grows, it is not useful
of food zone and shelter for animals nor for us to cultivate food.
Solutions for deforestation and how to prevent it
Apart from knowing the causes of deforestation and the possible consequences of this, it is necessary to
think of solutions and ways to avoid it. The first big step to avoid deforestation,
as in any area of vital importance for the planet, reaching a great global agreement is essential
between all the governments of the world. Preventive measures should be established as well,
repairers, of the problem. But in the personal sphere certain actions can also be carried out
actions. Personal responsibility cannot be evaded in this problem. Certain gestures, no matter how
Insignificant as they may seem, they can help tackle the problem. For example, paper recycling.
Lower paper consumption by the population would force producing companies not to
need so much raw material.
Sustainable forest management certificates
On the other hand, it is essential to keep forests and green areas clean. In this way, prevention is ensured.
fires caused by shards, soda cans, and other types of waste. Finally, it is necessary to
stay informed about the bad practices carried out by companies to boycott, if
it is the case, its products. The large areas of forests and jungles depend on a consumption
responsible. Greenpeace and other environmental organizations publish reports on the matter.
In addition, consume certified products of sustainable forest management (such as those that
FSC or PEFC promotes the conservation of forests in good condition.