Deforestation
EFFECT
CAUSE
Need for agricultural land
Unsustainable harvesting of trees
Urbanization of land
Animal habitats being destroyed
Forests are an important resource for many cultures
Decrease in recycling of Carbon Dioxide and production of Oxygen
Brief historical Overview
A lot of European deforestation occurred before and during the early 1900's as cities began growing and there was a need for agricultural land
Why to invest in forests
Today
Higher latitude, wealthier countries such as Western Europe, Canada and the U.S. have either stabilized their deforestation rates or increased their forests
The deforestation rates in Latin America, Africa and Asia have increased quite a bit.
This is due to growing populations which demands more agricultural land and tree biomass is also being used as a fuel source.
Land that was cleared for agriculture and turned out poor for growing food are reforested since no ones going to use the land
Today deforestation occurs mostly due to forested lands being cleared for agricultural use
Countries attempt to collect data on the deforestation rates, however there are inconsistent standards being followed by quite a few and now satellite imaging is being used to take accurate surveys of forests
Loss of a renewable resource
Forests provide a living place for game animals among other countless species around the world. If forests are decreasing, that means a decrease in game animals and other animals not hunted by humans.
Wood is used as a fuel source by many people, its also used for pulp to make paper and other economically important products.
Losing forests is indeed bad for business.
Trees clean toxins out of the air and water. They also control erosion.
Companies use a method of clear cutting which harvests all the trees in the area.
Especially in poorer countries, trees are an important source of money, fuel and shelter.
Agricultural land is needed due to growing populations in other especially poorer countries that are starting to become economically mobilized.
When forest land is converted from agricultural land, the trees are mined from the area resulting in the complete destruction of the forest.
Growing populations demand more living space and thus forest land is cleared to be used for development.
More pollution
More urbanization means more toxins being introduced into the land, air and possibly sea.
Trees are a natural air filter and they are free.
Trees replenish oxygen
Trees are free natural air filters. They clean the air and water.
They are an economically important renewable resource.
They are homes to thousands of different species of animals around the world which is important for sustaining ecosystems.
Side note: They are also nice places to hike in. (I guess I can sneak in that they are an important source of human recreation)
Different indigenous tribes throughout Africa, South America and the Asian region rely on forests