TERRESTRIAL RESOURCE ISSUE: Management and Sustainment Plan By: Your Name Here

Introduction The earth was well covered by trees long ago. But it is sad to say that about one half of the forests that once covered the Earth are now gone. Forests are cleared, degraded and fragmented by timber harvest, conversion to agriculture, road-building, human-caused fire, natural loss of old trees and in myriad other ways. The FAO estimates that 53,000 square miles of tropical forests were destroyed each year during the 1980s.(Deforestation,n.d.para.5) The problem is not just merely losing trees but the concern lies on its consequences specifically on its impact to climate Deforestation is currently one of the critical issues faced by humans. It is one among significant terrestrial resource issue that needs all hands together to implement an action. With an appropriate plan, it is not far from reach to live with a sustainable forest.

Global Forest Map

Deforestation (The Unsustainable Use of Forests) Continues loss of old trees in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Loss of forest quality due to pollution and other injurious agents. Forest clearing and burning.

Impacts of Unsustainable Use of Forests Loss of large forest areas. Loss of soil fertility. Increase soil erosion in deforested areas. Loss of significant carbon stores. Increase in temperatures. Loss of natural habitat of naturally occurring plants and animals. Tropical Rainforests presently give a place to call home for 50% - 90% of all organisms, 90% of our relatives, the primates, and 50 million creatures that can live no place but the rich rainforests (World Rainforest Movement,nd.).

Sustainability Plan Action Items: To organize a community program which will initially act to sustain a more stable forest area through replanting a naturally occurring plants Implement measures of conservation, protection, and cultivation of a natural and productive forests. Assessment of the area and present a brief report. Schedule a presentation inviting the community members as the audience. Research on the short and long term effects of diminished forests.

Sustainability Plan Action ItemsAction StepsTimeline Assess the area through a geographical survey. Form an initial group to physically assess the deforested area. Record all the geographical survey outcome. Observe and analyze the main factors that caused the issue. Find prospective factors that will be beneficial in carrying out the plan. Months 4 – 6. Make a brief report and a schedule a presentation after due approval, inviting the community to know the facts. All the facts found during the survey has to be presented and make the community to understand the effects and the future impacts of forest issues. The effects on environment, productivity, safety, health, and many aspects pertaining to the area should be extensively discussed to call on the awareness of the community. Months 1-2 Schedule and arrange for area tours. To see is to believe. A community tour will help them understand better the situation. Proper explanation and dissemination of facts while on tour must be kept going emphasizing future visions. Months Make regular meeting and presentation schedules. All important existing facts and future aspects has to be fully understood gradually by every member, by that, cooperation and participation will be facilitated. Months Start organizing a program involving community members. Membership will be kept open for all. This small group will be the start of a civic group that is hoped to act on implementing the plan and address the forest issues on the area for a long term basis. Long Term Basis

Challenges on Sustainability Plans Less community involvement and participation. Uncontrollable forest access by any individual or a corporate group. Adequate funds is needed for the plan to push through.

References Deforestation. Global Warming, Retrieved April 6,2008 from warming.com/deforestation.html Sustainable Forest Management Plan. Retrieved April 6,2008 from 0Plan%20v2.pdf 0Plan%20v2.pdf Rainforest Destruction Causes, Effects, and False Solutions. World Rainforest Movement, Penang, Malaysia