Facts About Deforestation

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‘œDeforestation’ is a term referred to as the mass clearing of the Earth’s forests in pursuit of economic and social development. Vast tracts of land in the industrial economies have been deforested due to human needs impacting the ecological balance of the environment.

Fact 1.  One of the worst impacts of deforestation is the destruction and loss of habitat for millions of species. An estimated 70 percent of the Earth’s animals live in the forests, and many succumb to the perils of deforestation which destroys their homes.

Fact 2.   The climates are not spared from deforestation. The moist soils of the forest dry out without the protection from trees. Similarly, trees are useful in recycling water vapor back into the atmosphere. Over time, a lack of trees has transformed forestlands into barren deserts.

Fact 3.    Deforestation also removes the canopy provided to living creatures and plants in moderating the temperatures during the day and night by blocking the sun during the day and conserving heat during the night.

Fact 4.  In Brazil, due to conservation efforts since 2004, the rate of deforestation in the Amazon has fallen an estimated 80 percent.

Fact 5.  The factors that contributed to the decline in deforestation in Brazil include an increased enforcement of environmental laws, satellite monitoring of forests, incentives for utilizing deforested land, and emerging awareness of deforestation.

Fact 6.  China is also facing deforestation issues as China’s natural forests have been declining for more than half a century. Deserts are forming rapidly in China, some are the size of New Jersey.

Fact 7. Up to 5,000 sq km of virgin forests are destroyed every year due to illegal logging and slash-and-burn agricultural methods.

Fact 8.  According to China’s environment ministry, disposable chopsticks use up 1.3 million cubic meters of timber annually.

Fact 9. Due to the vast population of China, its huge demand for wooden products is being supplied by the rain forests of the Congo and Cameroon, the Amazon basin, and Indonesia.

Fact 10. The impact of deforestation includes the destruction of carbon sinks, soil erosion, destruction of animal habitats. The destruction of plants includes valuable medicinal plants, trees acting as windbreakers, the greenhouse effect, and global warming.

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