1. Deforestation Deforestation = Removal of trees from a forested area without adequate replanting If rate of cutting and degradation ≤ rate of regrowth (reforestation)  Forests are renewable resources

2. What Is Happening to the World’s Forests? During the past 8000 years: human activities have reduced the original forest cover of the earth by 20% to 50% (source: World Resources Institute) Forests with 50% or more tree cover: occupy ~32% of earth’s land surface Many temperate forests in North America and Europe: increasing slightly because of reforestation from secondary ecological succession on cleared forest areas and abandoned croplands Many tropical forests especially those in Latin America, Africa, Asia: being cut and degraded faster than they can regenerate

3. What are the purposes of deforestation?

4. What are the environmental impacts of deforestation?

5. How can forests be managed more sustainably?