Deforestation and Rise of Commercial Forestry

The removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest usage is known as deforestation or forest clearance. Forest areas can be converted to farmland, ranches, or urban usage as part of deforestation. The highest concentration of deforestation is seen in tropical rainforests. 

At the moment, forests cover around 31% of the Earth's land surface. This represents a one-third reduction in forest cover compared to what existed prior to the advent of agriculture, with half of the decline occurring in the preceding century. Every year, between 15 million and 18 million hectares of forest are lost, an area the size of Belgium; on average, 2,400 trees are chopped down every minute. 

Habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and aridity have all occurred from tree removal without adequate replanting. Extinction, climate shifts, desertification, and population displacement are all consequences of deforestation, as evidenced by present conditions and the fossil record. 

Deforestation also has a detrimental influence on atmospheric carbon dioxide biosequestration, creating negative feedback loops that contribute to global warming. By removing forests for agricultural use and diminishing arable land in general, global warming puts a greater strain on populations seeking food security.

Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation

The various causes of deforestation as well as forest degradation are as follows:

Agricultural Activities

Agricultural activities, as mentioned earlier in the overview, are one of the major causes affecting deforestation. Agriculture is responsible for around 80% of deforestation, according to the FAO. A large number of trees are destroyed to produce crops due to the rising need for food, and subsistence agriculture accounts for 33% of agricultural-related deforestation.

Livestock Ranching

Livestock is thought to be responsible for roughly 14% of all deforestation on the planet. To raise animals and generate food, farmers frequently clear land by felling trees and burning them. They continue to utilise the property until the soil has degraded completely, then repeat the procedure on new woods. 

It will eventually reforest, although it will take many years to restore to its previous state. Surprisingly, the forest area has decreased by about 40% in the last 40 years, while grassland regions and cattle populations have increased significantly and rapidly.

Illegal Logging

Apart from that, wood-based businesses such as paper, matchsticks, and furniture require a significant quantity of wood supplies. Both directly and indirectly, wood is utilised as a source of energy. As a result, trees are cut down to fulfil the need for resources. Wood is utilised as a fuel in the form of firewood and charcoal. Illegal tree cutting and falling are profitable for some of these businesses.

Urbanization

Furthermore, highways are built to get access to these woods; once again, trees are cut down to make roadways. Overpopulation has a direct impact on forest cover because, as cities grow, more land is required for houses and settlements. As a result, forest land is being recovered.

Desertification of Land

Other causes that lead to deforestation are partly natural and partly human, such as land desertification. It arises as a result of land misuse, which makes it unsuitable for tree development. Many petrochemical businesses dump trash into rivers, causing soil erosion and making it unsuitable for growing plants and trees.

Forest Fires

Forest fires are another good example; hundreds of trees are destroyed each year in various parts of the world due to forest fires. It occurs as a result of extremely hot summers and milder winters. Whether caused by man or nature, forest fires result in significant forest destruction.

Paper

The Environment Paper Network estimates that each year, 640 million trees are thrown away due to paper waste. America, China, Canada, and Japan produce more than half of the world's paper, or 400 million tonnes per year. Recycling may prevent the release of 27.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment. When we use recycled paper, we help to ensure that forests remain a healthy ecosystem and wildlife habitat.

Overpopulation

Overpopulation needs additional space for houses and communities. It results in a huge rise in the need for food and farmland in order to grow food and raise livestock. It requires the building of many more roads and highways for transportation and communication, all of which contribute to deforestation. 

Logging companies fell trees to make furniture, paper, construction materials, and a variety of other items. Furthermore, deforestation is closely connected to the rising human population. As a result, purchasing from sustainable firms that actively campaign against deforestation has become virtually mandatory.

Effects of Deforestation

The major effects of deforestation are mentioned below:

Environmental Effects

• Climate Imbalance and Climate Change

Deforestation has a variety of effects on the climate. Our planet's lungs are forests. Tropical rainforests are highly humid because trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen and water vapour into the air. In addition, trees provide shade, which helps keep the soil wet. The absence of trees jeopardises all of them. It causes an imbalance in air temperature, a drier environment, and more difficult biological conditions, all of which contribute to climate change.

• Increase in Global Warming

Trees have a significant part in reducing global warming. The trees absorb greenhouse gases, which helps to keep the atmosphere in control. The ratio of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has grown as a result of ongoing deforestation, contributing to our global warming woes.

• Increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Forests assist in the conversion of carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gas emissions. They become carbon sources after they are cut, burnt, or otherwise eliminated. Deforestation is thought to be responsible for about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, with 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon released into the atmosphere each year owing to tropical deforestation.

• Soil Erosion

Trees are also important for local water cycles because they return water vapour to the atmosphere. Rainwater percolates into the soil, keeping the soil wet. The fertile soil is kept in place by several layers of trees' complex root systems. The ground is immediately exposed to the sun now that the tree cover has been removed, making it dry.

Erosion happens often with the lack of trees, washing the soil into nearby rivers and streams. Nature's water purification plants are forests. Soil erosion exposes soil to pollutants, which leak into the water supply and pollute our drinking water.

Health Effects

• Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Coronavirus pandemic, according to the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Animal Foundation, is connected to environmental damage, including deforestation, habitat loss in general, and wildlife trading. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released two short movies in April 2020 detailing the link between environmental degradation, animal trading, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a section on its website dedicated to the subject. The World Economic Forum has issued a request for natural recovery to be included in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts, claiming that the epidemic is connected to environmental devastation.

• Malaria

Malaria, which claimed the lives of 405,000 people last year, is most likely connected to deforestation. "For unknown causes, the species that survive and become dominant transmit malaria more effectively than the species that were most common in the intact woods." Public health specialists Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein of Harvard Medical School write in their article "Almost wherever malaria is prevalent, this has been observed."

The Rise of Commercial Forestry

The British were concerned that uncontrolled tree chopping and forest usage by local people would damage forests. Brandis, a German specialist summoned by the British government, realised that forest conservation required individuals to be taught in conservation science and the establishment of a suitable system. They were compelled to establish guidelines for the use of forest resources. They believed that limiting grazing and tree felling was necessary to protect forests for wood production. As a result, Brandis assisted in the formulation of the Indian Forest Act of 1865, as well as the establishment of the Indian Forest Service in 1864. 

In 1878 and 1927, the Indian Forest Act was modified twice. Village forests protected woods, and reserved forests were the three types of forests identified. The best forests were those that had been cast aside for conservation. Villagers may utilise village woods and protected forests to satisfy their requirements, but they were not authorised to exploit reserved forests. As the woods were placed under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department, new trading opportunities arose, and certain people reaped the rewards. Many individuals began to trade in forest goods, and many villages abandoned their traditional livelihoods. This increase in forest product commerce was witnessed all around the world, not only in India. 

As part of deforestation, forest lands might be converted to agriculture, ranching, or urban use. According to the FAO, agriculture is responsible for about 80% of deforestation. Every year, between 15 million and 18 million hectares of forest are destroyed, an area roughly equal to Belgium. Paper, matchsticks, and furniture are all wood-based enterprises that demand a considerable amount of wood materials. Wood is utilised as a fuel in the form of firewood and charcoal. Other factors that contribute to deforestation include both natural and human-made.

Conclusion

Thus, in this article we have covered information about the deforestation as well as commercial forestry. Where at the one hand, decline of forests are seen because of various reasons, on the other hand, the plants as well as trees are planted and grown especially which can be exploited by the users commercially.