Wolmer’s Boys’ School

Department of Geography
Lecture Notes

5pool 1
Topic: Human Environment Systems
Sub Topic: Human Environment System April 11,2013

Deforestation

Terms to know
 Canopy- the cover of the land provided by the out spread foliage of trees.
 Deforestation - The widespread permanent removal of the natural forest cover
 Clear felling-the logging of a forest by cutting down every tree, rather than leaving
some to allow the forest to re grow.
 Afforestation - The replanting of exotic(new) species of trees in an area
 Reforestation/Reafforestation - The replanting of trees in areas where they
previously existed.
 Sylviculture-

Causes of Deforestation in the Caribbean

1. Agriculture - This include early clearance for subsistence agriculture and later
clearance for plantation agriculture.
2. Timber production - Both Belize and Guyana have traditionally been the long term
suppliers of hardwood for export. Large areas of the forests have been cleared by
loggers.
3. Firewood/charcoal - Rural communities especially in poor countries depend heavily
on wood as a source of fuel for cooking e.g. Haiti
4. Accidental Fires - These are often caused by charcoal burners, as well as peasant
farmers clearing land for the sole purpose of cultivation.
5. Housing & Infrastructural Development - Forest in certain areas are cleared for the
construction of housing estates for the growing population, forest are also cleared of r
the construction of hotels, golf course et

Consequences/Impacts of Deforestation in the Caribbean

 Flooding-The removal of forests exposes the soil to the full force of the rain. Without
the umbrella effect of the trees leads to rapid runoff into rivers and flooding often
result.

 Soil Erosion - No longer protected by forest ,the the thin topsoil is easily eroded
during heavy rainstorms. Deep gullies form and the land becomes useless for farming.
 Rivers become choked with sediment, increasing the flood risk downstream.
 Damage to coral reefs - Sediment washed out to sea following heavy rainfall can
lead to sedimentation., causing coral to die. The clouding of the sea water reduces
sunlight and increase stress on the organisms of the coral reef.
 Decline in Aquifers - water stored in aquifers are decreasing due to less infiltration.
The presence of trees retains water on the land and enables it to infiltrate into the soil
before percolating into these rocks. When trees are removed, the water runs off
quickly and as a result less water soaks into the ground. This cause the water table to
fall leading to a shortage of ground water supply.
 Ecological damage - the loss of habitats and subsequent reduction in the bio-
diversity of flora and fauna. A number of endangered species are under threat of
displacement or extinction if trees are removed.
 Eco Tourism - Nature tourism is an important source of income as many people are
attracted by tropical rainforests. Damage and destruction will have a negative effect
with tourists deciding to visit rainforests elsewhere in the world
 Global impacts - Tropical rainforests act as “carbon sinks“. That is ,they absorb
carbon from the atmosphere and help to reduce the build up of greenhouse gases. If
rainforests are destroyed, less carbon will be absorbed and the greenhouse gases will
become more concentrated and effective. This increased heat could lead to global
warming. An additional problem is that when trees are cut down and burned, carbon
is released back into the atmosphere.

Measures to reduce the impact of deforestation globally

1. Reforestation - trees can be replanted so that the area regains forests. This is possible
when the trees have been removed for timber.
2. Forest Plantation - trees can be planted in other vacant areas even though they were
not previously forested in recent times.
3. Managing agriculture - the main actions that protect the soil are; (a) keeping the
ground covered all the time and not ploughing until it is time to plant the next crop.
(b) Reducing steep slopes by terracing, (c ) limiting livestock to prevent overgrazing
and damage to river banks
4. Reducing the need for forest products - Substitute for paper and wood products are
widespread but unfortunately the world demand is so great that there are not enough
substitutes available.