Causes of deforestation in the world
Forests are threatened by both biotic and a-biotic factors such as
climatic hazards, diseases prompted by insects or pathogens, threats of
a purely anthropogenic nature, fires, atmospheric pollution,
deforestation, and the increase in social pressures.
But this classic division is a bit artificial, since man is partly
responsible for all these threats.Source: Coyte, (1990), cited by
Gauthier (J.) in AFOCEL. - The emergence of new forestry potentials in
the world - Colloque AFOCEL, tenth world forestry congress. - Grenoble,
1991.
The countries where the phenomena of deforestation is most evident
are those undergoing rapid population growth. This population
development implies two types of harmful needs to the durability of
forests in the absence of specific developments.
Deforestation |
*Countries
face deforestation are those undergoing rapid population growth
* Growing need for wood,
especially firewood is another factor |
A growing need for wood, especially firewood for developing
countries, then wood for construction and a growing need for
agricultural land, in able to assure the subsistence of populations.
The immediate satisfaction of these needs leads to the clearing and
pillage of those resources that are closest to settlements. The
fragility of these ecosystems does not permit them to withstand such
pressure, and failure of the forest to re-establish itself can lead
populations to carryout the same type of agression to forest areas that
are further away, therefore participating in the extension of destroyed
areas. Their reuse for agricultural purposes is oftten impossible
(contrary to the old evolution of temperate zones) due to the extreme
fragility of their soils.
The restoration of a balance will only be possible if those
responsible for development of these regions privilege small projects,
using known techniques local populations and develop with them. In
absence of the dangers of the dispersion of forests cover, and in the
absence of a solution for the needs of agricultural development, no
large-scale project can succeed, whatever the financial means put into
place.
Deforestation in the Amazon region.source :Google |
To maintain the soils of certain regions, forestry projects must be
seen as factor of improvement in the long term necessary ecological
conditions to agriculture and life in general, and not as a competitor
for the use of the soil.
The drop in the impact of this burning can only take place by the
growth (which seems paradoxical) of reserves where the clearing of
ground is accepted, permitting the sufficient reconstruction of
ecosystems.
In zones such as the Sahel, the need for fuel wood is one of the most
pressing concerns. The preservation of forests will only take place when
combustion techniques are improved, the mass planting of fast growing
tree species takes place and a more vigorous management of resources
permiting the reconstitution of reserves is put into place.
Each different population has its own habits, specific needs, and
determined environmental conditions which must be taken into account.
Satisfying the needs of local populations is an indispensable
perequisite to the putting in place of projects which take into account
the needs of the populations, sometimes very far away from these zones.
The Interdictions of the commerce of logs of certain tropical
species. Forestry exploitation has of course been at the root of
numerous abuses in the tropical zone and participates in the degradation
of forests from these regions.
Here as elsewhere, the putting into place of a reasonable cutting
regime could lead to sustainable growth of forests. In addition the
impact of forestry damage due to the exploitation of logs when compared
to the damage done by agriculture.
The phenomena of desertification, and water erosion, are elsewhere
very spectacular and concern a considerable part of our planet. Climatic
fluctuations and destruction of the protective layer are the principle
causes of this phenomena.
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