Effects of Deforestation

The effects of deforestation are wide ranging including habitat loss, desertification, climate change, aridity, displacement of population, extinction of species,etc. It influence various aspects of the environment, climate, biodiversity, and human life. The various effects of deforestation are discussed below:

Loss of Biodiversity

Forest provide habitat for wildlife and support 80% of world’s known biodiversity, especially the tropical rainforests. Deforestation can directly result in loss of biodiversity as the animal species that live in the trees no longer have their habitat.

• According to ICUN’s red list deforestation is a major threat to 85% of species.
• Deforestation also results in habitat fragmentation that prevents animals from dispersing from one area to another and isolates their populations in the region.
• Many species are unable to adapt to the rapid changes in their environment, ultimately facing extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitats.
• In the next 25 years due to deforestation up to 28,000 species could go extinct.

Climate Change

Forests absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) acting as a carbon sink. Deforestation releases this stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to increased greenhouse gas emission and global warming.

• Deforestation alone contribute to about 12%-20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the major contributor to climate change.
• Changes in land cover due to deforestation can disrupt local and regional weather patterns, leading to shifts in temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric circulation.

Disruption of Water Cycles

Deforestation can disrupt evaporation levels resulting in reduced rainfall and altered precipitation patterns. It can also lead to changes in river flow and water volume.

• Without trees, the area will lack moisture and become a dry, arid desert. In the absence of rain, these areas will less freshwater sources.
• Without the trees absorption of water decreases and runoff can increase. It will lead to soil erosion, increase the risk of floods and increases sedimentation in water bodies.

Soil Erosion and Degradation

According to the United Nation definition deforestation is the permanent removal of trees until there is less than 10% of the forested land remaining. Trees and their roots binds the soil and protect it from wind and rain. Without forests or plant cover, the topsoil gets eroded by wind and flowing water.

• Deforestation decreases the soil’s ability to hold water, which can lead to increased run off and more risk of flooding. It can also contribute to landslides.
• Cutting down of trees lead to depletion of nutrients in the soil. It also reduces the soil fertility and have a negative impact on agricultural productivity.
• Can lead to flood and drought.

Social and Human Impact

IUCN estimates that around 25% of the global population depend on forests for their livelihoods, such as hunting, gathering, farming, or forestry. When forests are cut down, these communities lose access to the resources they need to survive.

• Deforestation can create conditions for pathogens like Nipah and Lassa viruses, and the parasites that cause malaria and Lyme disease to spread to people.
• According to a 2020 World Economic Forum report, 31% of new and emerging disease outbreaks are linked to deforestation.
• Can have a negative impact on human health.

Economic Implications

Forests are sources of raw materials, fuel, and medicine. A lack of these resources can cause economic and environmental instability over time.

• Deforestation can provide short-term profit in term of agriculture. Long-term consequences may include decreased soil fertility, changes in local climate and increased vulnerability to pests. Overall it will affect the crop yields.
• Deforestation can deprive a country of potential renewable resources.
• Can lead to the displacement of populations.
• It can degrade land of the country and damage its climate.

Desertification

Deforestation can lead to increased desertification. Desertification is a type of land degradation that occurs when a relatively dry region becomes increasingly arid. It is caused by human activities and frequent changes in temperature.

• With the cutting down of trees, soil becomes vulnerable to erosion by wind and water. It leads to the gradual degradation of fertile topsoil.
• Deforestation, such as improper agricultural methods and overgrazing can accelerate soil degradation and contribute to the desertification process.
• Deforestaion removes the top soil which exposes the rocky layer underneath. It leads to a loss of humus making the land less fertile.

Deforestation is the clearance of forests by cutting down trees and not replanting them. It can involve the conversion of forest land for agriculture, logging, urban development, or infrastructure projects. Effects of deforestation include soil erosion, climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss, food and fuel shortage, disruption of the water cycle, effect on human health and extinction of species. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation report around 420 million hectares of forest were lost between 1990 and 2020. The annual rate of deforestation has slowed down but was still 10 million hectares per year between 2015 and 2020.