Marissa Matsuda, Keira Bumanglag, Kiara Kam, Piper-Lyn Courtney-Lau

Mr. Casem

Biology Honors 5A

November 17th, 2023

Exploravision Project Present Technology

Deforestation is a problem plaguing many communities around the world. Three quarters

of deforestation is driven by beef production, palm oil, and logging industries. Without enough

trees on earth, we won't be able to use them as materials, effectively filter the air, or manage

global warming. Humanity, plants, and animals will all face the negative effects of deforestation

if we don’t act. We need to help solve this issue, but how?

Before we ask how to solve the issue, we need to understand why it is important.

Deforestation is the deliberate removal of trees from their natural place. These trees are usually

removed so they or the land they’re on can be used by humans for processes such as agriculture,

animal grazing, fuel, manufacturing, and construction. Deforestation is such an issue because

there aren’t enough trees to be depositing the carbon emissions from the atmosphere. With all

this excess carbon in our atmosphere, the earth heats up in response and global warming

increases. Another issue deforestation aids in is extinction. 70% of animal and plant species

reside in forests. Without places to live, the livelihoods of these species are severely threatened.

A lack of trees also leads to our land becoming inhabitable for our agriculture. Without trees in

the soil, the soil erodes and the land is left immensely dry.
 So, what are some things that people have already done to solve this problem? The most

effective solution so far is “protected areas.” A protected area is a space that is dedicated to

protecting and preserving nature. Places like wilderness reserves and national parks are examples

of protected areas. They help maintain the ecosystem and preserve life in those habitats. If you’re

looking for a more technological solution to this issue, then you’ll be glad to hear that there is

technology created to try and reduce deforestation rates. Some solutions include: drone

photography, remote sensing, and satellites. These inventions, while not originally invented with

the intent of monitoring change in land, are still very effective in showing us how deforestation

affects the world. By looking at the pictures and footage that these technologies provide, we can

see in the areas where deforestation is most prevalent, which can help conservationists intervene

so they can try and put a stop to deforestation in that area.

There are a number of invented solutions to combat deforestation. This includes

engineered wood. Engineered wood is wood that is changed to be stronger and longer lasting.

These are made of recycled materials and aid in making the construction industry more

sustainable. Engineered wood is made through combining real wood with resin or adhesive. The

process requires heat and pressure to compress the wood into a usable form. Engineered wood is

also referred to as man-made wood or composite wood. Composite wood is reliable since it

maintains the same qualities as normal wood like workability, resilience, and thermal insulation,

but it has also improved its qualities as well. Advantages of the wood include: dimensional

stability, sustainability, size availability. Though there are drawbacks like extra weight,

unattractiveness, deterioration when exposed to moisture, and some can’t be used for

woodworking.
 Back in 1933, the Engineering Wood Association or the American Plywood Association

(APA) was founded. They are still an up and running organization that is continuously

researching the development of engineered wood. In the 1960s, floors were difficult to install, so

replacement woods would solve the problem, that is until engineered wood came into play.

Engineered wood has been favored since because of its quick and simple installation. When first

coming up with the design of the wood, they would use maple or oak veneer for the upper layer

and the lower layer consisted of plywood sheets. The wood declined in popularity at first because

of its defects, because it wasn’t durable, was warped, and the random plywood sheets were

difficult to match when it was stained or finished. Despite its decline in popularity, Engineered

wood later rose up again and is used in many households for things like in shelves, cabinets, and

floors. Engineered wood is helpful not only for the environment, but is also generally easier to

install into your home, making it a more efficient and useful item.

Deforestation is a big issue in our world today. Though the use of trees has been helpful

for society’s progression, it is now becoming a dire problem because of our diminishing supply

of them. People have tried fighting against deforestation by shopping sustainably and having

protected areas of lane. To help solve the problem, technological solutions have emerged too like

engineered wood. This solution of recycled wood didn't function well when it was first made, but

progressed as time went on and became more effective. Drone photography has aided in

measuring differences in the land, helping conservationists identify areas more susceptible to

deforestation. Certain advances have assisted in deforestation, but we can use the new

knowledge we gain everyday to help undo the damage and lead into a brighter future.
 Citation Page

Oct. 27, img class="avatar" alt="Chris Deziel" src="https://www familyhandyman

com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/15066Deziel jpg?fit=41%2C50" width="50"

height="50">Chris DezielUpdated:, and 2022. “What Is Engineered Wood?” Family Handyman,

23 Mar. 2022,

www.familyhandyman.com/article/what-is-engineered-wood/#:~:text=The%20engineering%20p

rocess%20utilizes%20heat. Accessed 6 Nov. 2023.

 ‌“The History & Evolution of Engineered Hardwood Flooring.” From the Forest, LLC, 13

July 2022, www.fromtheforest.com/blogs/fromtheforest/the-history-evolution-of-engineer

“Can Technology Rescue Our Forests before It’s Too Late?” The Forecast By Nutanix,

www.nutanix.com/theforecastbynutanix/news/tree-planting-drones-and-technology-hope-to-fight

-deforestation#:~:text=Tech%2Dbased%20solutions%20like%20drone,in%20order%20to%20sto

p%20it.