Elucidate the effect of deforestration
on the life of man.
Answers
Answer:
Deforestation is the clearing, destroying, or otherwise removal of trees through deliberate, natural or accidental means.
Explanation:
Impact of Deforestation
With everything that is happening, the Earth is threatened. Humans have gradually lost the forests that are very essential for our existence. Apart from these, deforestation also affects biodiversity and the natural processes in the ecosystem.
Extinction of Biodiversity
70% of the world’s plants and animals live in the forests. However, due to series of deforestation, the natural habitats of the wildlife are also destroyed. According to National Geographic, loss of habitat is the major cause of species extinction. Every year, at least 10,000 species go extinct.
Soil Erosion
Trees and all the fauna in the forests enrich the soil. Without the trees, the soil will lose its fertility. Also, the rise of agriculture promoted soil degradation and soil erosion. The absence of trees made the soil sweep into the rivers. Scientists estimated that 70% of the world’s arable land has been lost through soil erosion.
Greenhouse Gas Emission
As mentioned earlier, forests absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study, tropical forests hold over 210 gigatons of carbon dioxide. Due to deforestation, 15% of these greenhouse gases are freed. This led to increasing temperature, climate change and worst, global warming.
Disruption of Water Cycles
Trees play a vital role in the water cycle. They keep the balance between the water on land and in the atmosphere. Due to deforestation, the water cycle has been disrupted which causes to extreme weather conditions, unexpected patterns of precipitation and river flow.
Loss of Livelihood
Again, millions of people depend on forests for livelihood – hunting, gathering, medicine and small-scale agriculture. When the forests will be gone, there will be a loss of livelihood. In some parts of Southeast Asia, deforestation caused people to migrate to urban areas.
Poor Life Quality
The ending of everything is pool life quality for humans. Without food, we are nothing. Without potable water, we are sick. Without trees, oxygen will lack supply. Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases will occupy the air, promoting various diseases. Deforestation will also increase the global temperature which leads to climate change and global warming.