DEFORESTATION

By: Aisha Collins

What Is Deforestation? What Is The Problem With It ?

• Deforestation is the permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands.

• Deforestation has resulted in the reduction of indigenous forests to four-fifths of their pre-agricultural area. Indigenous forests now cover 21% of the earth's land surface.

What Causes The Problem ?Deforestation is brought about by the following:• conversion of forests and woodlands to

agricultural land to feed growing numbers of people;

• development of cash crops and cattle ranching, both of which earn money for tropical countries;

• commercial logging (which supplies the world market with woods such as meranti, teak, mahogany and ebony) destroys trees as well as opening up forests for agriculture;

• Cutting of trees for firewood and building material; and heavy browsing of saplings by domestic animals like goats

What Are The Possible Future Effects Of The Problem ? How Will It Affect The World ?

• Soil erosion with the loss of a protective cover of vegetation more soil is lost

• Silting of water courses, lakes and dams (this occurs as a result of soil erosion)

• Extinction of species which depend on the forest for survival. Forests contain more than half of all species on our planet - as the habitat of these species is destroyed, so the number of species declines

• Desertification- the causes of desertification are complex, but deforestation is one of the contributing factors

What Is Being Done To Solve The Problem ? Are There Laws Related To The

Deforestation ?Tree Trimming Laws

• When it comes to dealing with trees that lie close to property lines, you have the legal right to trim tree branches that hang over your property line, but only up to the property line and not past. You must also stay on your side of the property line and make sure you do not destroy the tree itself.

Tree Removal Laws• Before removing a tree from your property, or any property for that matter, contact

the local city hall or a licensed professional landscaper. Every county has different definitions of what constitutes a protected tree. Some definitions are obvious while others require an ecological specialist to understand, so to avoid possible fines, involve a professional if you are uncertain

• It is however impossible to stop deforestation completely. Environmentally, it would be beneficial. However, the socio-economic life of the people will be greatly affected. To completely stop deforestation means to paralyse the production of basic foodstuffs, commercial crops, timber-related industries, extraction of natural resources such as oil etc. All these will lead to lower living standards of people.

REMEMBER !!!

• Trees cannot be removed solely to improve someone's personal scenic view. Trees are an important ecological resource. They beautify towns and landscapes, improve the quality of the air we breathe, provide food and shelter for birdlife, and affect ground stability and water runoff.

What Can You Do To Help ?

• Use recycled items such as books or pad paper, toilet paper, even shopping bags

• Cut down only the mature trees, do not kill baby trees, and for every tree that is lost, plant another one as a replacement

• Join environmental awareness groups that would help an advocate of reforestation

• Instead of using firewood, use coals to heat up fireplaces during the winter season

• Support the laws or programs that were made to protect the forests and to stop any form of deforestation

Bibliography

• http://www.bcb.uwc.ac.za/envfacts/facts/deforestation.htm

• http://EzineArticles.com/508793 • http://www.ehow.com/list_6189526_florida-l

aws-cutting-down-trees.html#ixzz1MjLrEfoj