Serenity Thompson Dennis Lau Tracy Qiu Zachary Tobar Deforestation Serenity Thompson Dennis Lau Tracy Qiu Zachary Tobar

What is it? Deforestation is clearing Earth’s forest on a massive scale, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land. –National Geographic

Causes of Deforestation Agriculture is the main cause of deforestation as farmers cut down the trees to make more space for their crops.

The growing populations of urban cities also plays a major role. Continued… Logging operations, which provide the world’s wood and paper products, cuts down millions of trees every year. The growing populations of urban cities also plays a major role. Natural factors such as wild fires and overgrazing causes damage to the lands which prevents young trees from growing.

Continued… Also mining for metals clears large tracts of natural forest and cause contamination of the eco-system as a result of their runoffs. Road building throughout the forests damages the landscapes and provides access for illegal loggers.

Effects of Deforestations The most devastating effect of deforestation is the loss of homes for millions of species. It also drives climate change leading to the moisture of the forests’ soil to dry out quickly because of the lack of trees; this causes a loss of fertile soil. Also without trees to help in the process of water evaporating into the atmosphere, former forest lands become barren deserts.

Continued… In the process if absorbing greenhouse gases, trees play an important role. The lack of forests means more greenhouse gases damaging the atmosphere.

How to fix it? One way to prevent deforestation is by simply informing people of the dangers that come with it. By getting the major companies to agree to instill zero-deforestation policies. Recycling products such as wood, pulp, paper and fibers.

Continued… Planting enough trees to replace the ones being cut down can help to maintain the amount of trees in the forest.

Works Cited http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/forests/solutions-to-deforestation/ http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/

The End Questions?