NAME: Brandon Joseph O.

Abanes (BSGE-3A)
SCHEDULE: TTH (2:30-4:00)
Environmental Science and Engineering
Forest resources: Severe Depletion

Deforestation – Major cause of severe depletion of forest resources.

• Forest is our most valuable asset on which we are dependent directly or indirectly. All the
materials we are using or consuming are extracted from the forests. Still, we underestimate its
existence and try to destroy it for our greed.
• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the annual deforestation rate is around 1.3
million km2 per decade worldwide.
• Further, the top reasons for it are agriculture (80%), new constructions (15%), and urbanization
(5%).
• From these data, it’s evident that deforestation is the primary cause of instability in our
ecosystem, soil erosion, species extinction, loss of biodiversity, climate change, global warming,
and all the worse kinds of issues we are facing nowadays.

Deforestation - "slashing and burning."

Many industries that require the land or wood from the forests often cut down or burn the forests which
is known as Deforestation.
Effects of deforestation:
Deforestation brings about numerous consequences such as:
1. Soil degradation and erosion
2. Changes in climatic conditions
3. Greenhouse effect
4. Destruction of natural habitats
5. Destruction of a valuable sink for environmental pollutants
Causes of deforestation:
Various reasons lead to deforestation. Most of the time, deforestation occurs due to human interest in
satisfying different needs such as logging, timber production, mining, further development, etc. Some of
the major causes of deforestation are as follows:

1. Deforestation Due to Population Growth

More land is in demand for housing and other settlements with the increasing rate of population. It
requires more places to fulfill the needs of various accommodations such as food, housing, timber,
households, etc. To achieve all these needs, deforestation takes place.
2. Deforestation Due to Logging
It is one of the common reasons that cause deforestation. Wood industries such as paper, matchsticks,
furniture, etc., need a massive supply of wood.
Most of the time, logging takes place illegally to supply wood in a considerable amount to the wood-
based industries. Apart from this, wood is also a kind of fuel for cooking.
3. Deforestation Due to Agricultural Expansions
The conversion of forest land into agricultural farms is causing deforestation at an alarming rate. Huge
lands are required for farming activities, such as plowing, planting seeds, growing crops, etc.
Due to the increasing demand for food products worldwide, many forest lands are deforested to supply
the requirements.
4. Deforestation Due to Mining
Mining companies clear large areas of land in order to build mines and extract minerals. This process
destroys forests and disrupts ecosystems. The pollutants that spread through environmental mining
cause hazardous effects to nearby places. Deforestation due to mining is a major problem that needs to
be addressed.
5. Deforestation Due to Timber Production
The production of timber is one of the primary reasons that cause deforestation. The demand for timber
is increasing day by day, which is directly connected to deforestation. The production of timber takes
away trees that are necessary for the environment. Timber production also contributes to climate
change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Forests are the only source to produce a
tremendous amount of timber for different uses. The demand for wood is increasing rapidly;
simultaneously, the area of forest lands is shrinking gradually.
6. Deforestation Due to Forest Fire
In recent years, deforestation due to forest fire has become a major problem. Forest fire destroys vast
areas of forest land. It can destroy entire ecosystems, leaving behind nothing but barren land.
Both natural and human causes are responsible for forest fires. It not only destroys the vegetation of
forest land but also hampers the natural habitats of millions of wild animals.