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Mathew MacGregor

Professor Lew Jeppson

Econ 2250

29 April 2017

Deforestation

The issue of deforestation is a global environmental issue that impacts humans, wildlife,

and even global warming. Forests currently cover 31% of the land area on our planet and

produce vital oxygen and homes for people and wildlife. Deforestation comes in many different

forms and is detrimental to our sustainable development here on Earth.

What are the current causes of deforestation? The most notable causes of deforestation

would include: fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, unsustainable logging for timber, ranching and

development, and degradation due to climate change.

Fires continually destroy millions of acres of forest around the world each year, this can

be roughly the same amount lost to logging and agriculture combined. Fire is often used as a way

to clear land for other uses such as planting crops. When deforestation occurs because of the use

of fire it can alter the structure and composition of forests and even open up the forest to invasive

species, alter water cycles and soil fertility, threaten biological diversity, and even destroy the

livelihoods of the people who live in and around the forests.

Illegal logging is another factor the plays greatly in the issue of deforestation. National

laws regulate the production and trade of timber products at all stages, from harvesting to

processing to sales. This regulating of the logging industry helps to keep the issue of

deforestation contained. The issue however is with illegal logging. These laws can be violated in

a number of ways, such as harvesting more than is permitted, taking wood from protected areas,
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and harvesting protected species. This destruction threatens some of the worlds more valuable

forests including the Amazon, Congo, Indonesia, Basin, and the forests of the Russian Far East.

The issue of illegal logging however impacts more than just the destruction of forests. Illegal

logging also depresses the price of timber worldwide, disadvantaging law-abiding companies,

and also depriving governments from generated tax revenue.

Some of the other factors that are at play in the issue of deforestation are clear-cutting for

agriculture, ranching and development, and degradation due to climate change. Clear-cutting as

well as ranching and development usually happens when industries or individuals want the land

for another purpose, whether it is space, resources such as oil, or agriculture. Something most

people dont think of however is deforestation by the process of climate change. This is however

a very real issue. When the environment experiences a more rapid change in climate, such as the

current global warming issue, this can impact the forests in a number of ways including

biodiversity and water supply.

What are the impacts of deforestation on our planet? There are several impacts that

deforestation causes for the ecosystem here on earth. There are increased greenhouse gas

emissions. This occurs because trees soak up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the

atmosphere, and when these trees are cut, burned, or otherwise removed they become carbon

sources for the atmosphere. It is estimated that deforestation represents around 15% of

greenhouse gas emissions.

There is also the impact of disrupted water cycles and increased oil erosion because of

deforestation. Trees play a vital role in the local water cycle by keeping a balance of water on

land and water that is in the atmosphere. This balance however can be thrown off when
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deforestation occurs, resulting in changes of precipitation and river flow. Then there is the impact

of soil erosion. Without trees to anchor fertile soil, erosion can occur. The agricultural plants that

often replace the trees cannot hold onto the soil. It is estimated that a third of the worlds arable

land has been lost to soil erosion and other types of degradation since 1960.

The most noticeable impact to humans may be the disrupted livelihoods caused by

deforestation. Millions of people around the globe depend on forests for hunting, gathering, and

even medicine. Deforestation has contributed too many issues of conflict and migration around

the world. These issues are often times seen in poor or rural communities in developing nations.

In conclusion, deforestation is a global issue that is greatly impacting the lives of billions

of people and wildlife across the globe. This issue will only get worse as time goes on unless

counter measure can be effectively implemented to reduce issue of deforestation. Controlling

deforestation however does not appear to be an easy task, with several things contributing to the

cause of deforestation. It is however paramount that the environment be both protected and

regulated in the future to a greater extent if life on Earth is to continue developing.