Deforestation Project

Uriel, Brett, Kurtis

What is deforestation?

Deforestation is the removal of a forest or part of a forest where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. Another name for deforestation is clearing or clearance. About half of the worlds forests have been destroyed, the majority in the last 50 years, and since 1990 half of the worlds rain forests have ben destroyed. The worlds rain forests could completely vanish within the next 100 years at this rate.

Causes of Deforestation

 Logging: Cutting down trees to harvest wood. Agriculture: Farmers clear land for crops/cattle and cattle. Agriculture is the main cause of deforestation. Hydroelectric Dams: Although these dams create clean energy, acres of land must be flooded in order to create one. This causes decomposition and release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and also, can cause people to be displaced from their homes.

Fires: Fires can be both accidental and intentional. Often times areas of a forest are intentionally burned down in a controlled manner to allow natural selection to occur. When forests are burned down, the carbon from the tree is released into the atmosphere and oxygen is taken up by the fire.

Other causes
Mining Demand for Palm Oil: People harvest palm oil by cutting down trees. Increase in Population: An increasing population requires more room to accommodate the population. This results in the cutting down of trees to build places to accommodate people.

Effects of Deforestation

 Biodiversity Decrease: Over 50% of the worlds wildlife live in forests. Soil Erosion: Lack of vegetation causes topsoil to erode more quickly. This creates a problem for farmers since they can't grow crops in bad soil. Disrupts the water table: A lowered water table can be devastating to farmers who can't keep crops alive in dry soil. Flooding Drought

Solutions

 Reforestation: Many countries around the world have started reforestation and forestry. Many East Asian countries, including China, have successfully managed to reverse deforestation. Legislation: By changing the law to make stricter laws on deforestation, we can aid in stopping it. Wildfire Sanctuation: Not only do they save wildlife, but trees as well.

 Water Management: Improper water management affects deforestation in a big way. If the forest's don't have enough water, the entire ecosystem in that area will fail. Consumer Moderation: DON'T WASTE PAPER!

Bibliography
National Geographic:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/globalwarming/deforestation-overview/

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation

GreenPeace:
greenpeace.org/USA/en/campaigns/forests/solution-to-deforestation/

Deforestation Solutions:
buzzle.com/articles/deforestation-solutions.html

THE END :)