Website design By BotEap.comAlmost a third of the earth’s land is covered with forests. They play an important role in sustaining life. They host more than 60% of the world’s biodiversity and provide human beings with many products such as food, medicine, fuel, wood, paper, etc. In addition to the many products that can be acquired from forests, they also play a very important ecological role by stopping erosion, protecting the watershed, controlling stream and river flows, regulating atmospheric conditions, and preventing floods and landslides.

Website design By BotEap.comBut due to various reasons, this valuable ecosystem is rapidly disappearing in various parts of the world. Deforestation rates have increased since the 1980s. To date, according to an estimate by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the group responsible for forests, deforestation rates have accelerated during the 1990s, resulting in 10.14 million hectares of bare forest between 1990-2000 and 10.4 million hectares. million hectares in the period 2000-2005.

Website design By BotEap.comDeforestation and forest degradation occur in response to political, institutional and market signals. It is the result of the interaction of many environmental, economic, social, cultural and political conditions in a given region.

Website design By BotEap.comThere are two main causes of deforestation. The main and most common reasons for deforestation are known as direct causes. Logging, overcrowding, urbanization, dam construction, etc. they are direct causes. The other main cause of deforestation is known as natural causes since they are brought by Mother Nature.

Website design By BotEap.comRapid population growth has resulted in the conversion of forest areas into non-forest land for settlement and agriculture. Along with this is the urbanization and expansion of the residential area. This implies a significant loss of forest land both for the collection of forest products, as more people need more wood to build their houses and to develop the larger area in which their houses, shopping centers and business centers will be built.

Website design By BotEap.comAn increase in population also means an increase in the consumption of products. Therefore, rainforests are destroyed and turned into pasture for livestock to meet the increasing demand for meat. In Central America, almost half of the rainforests have been cut down and burned for livestock to meet foreign demands. Twenty-five percent of the Amazon forests have also been destroyed for livestock.

Website design By BotEap.comThe lack of government legislation for land reforms has also cleared the forest, especially in developing countries like Southeast Asian nations. The people of that region are among the poorest in the world and desperate for a piece of land. The unequal distribution of resources has led these people to find a way to exploit the forests.

Website design By BotEap.comAnother reason that deprives the forest are the economic exploitation schemes of development and the impotence of the government to safeguard its resources. Poor countries, in their attempt to increase their income, are somehow exploiting their resources such as forests. Wood is exported to reduce the national debt. Countries rich in mineral resources open their doors to multinational mining corporations that cut down forests as they move forward with their operations. The government, especially those belonging to the Third World, cannot stop commercial logging and implement a total log ban in exchange for higher exchange rates. Development projects such as dams, roads and airports contracted by the government also cause deforestation.

Website design By BotEap.comWhile most causes of deforestation are due to human activities, there are uncontrolled causes of deforestation such as forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons.

Website design By BotEap.comWildfires are started by lightning and strong winds help spread the flames. The drought in the forest has increased the amount of flammable shrubs and debris on the forest floor. Wildfires destroy untold amounts of valuable wood. They not only kill trees but also other living things.

Website design By BotEap.comMeanwhile, the volcanic eruption is one of several natural forces capable of causing damage to forests. The ash emitted during the eruption covers the leaves of the trees, which then interfere with photosynthesis. The animal population is also devastated. Organisms that survive have to cope with habitat change and reduced food supply.

Website design By BotEap.comThe last one is the typhoon. These are violent storms when strong winds destroy much of the island’s rainforest.

Website design By BotEap.comPeople can only hope that the uncontrollable forces that cause deforestation do not cause great harm. However, correct decisions and good actions must be taken to address the problems posed by the other reasons for deforestation where the cause and the end result is in the hands of the people.