Deforestation
Deforestation is the continuous removal of forest stand [trees] either by bush burning or indiscriminate felling without replacing them. economic trees such as iroko, obeche, ,mahogany, etc are cut down so that they can be used for various purposes such as furniture like tables, chairs, doors, etc. uncontrolled deforestation should never be allowed. the rate of deforestation should be reduced to the best minimum because of its adverse effects.
courses of deforestation
Deforestation can be caused for many reasons which include;
a) unfavourable climatic factors; Persistent and prolonged drought can lead to death of forest species. Also, wind blast can destroy vegetation on its path.
b) Man's farming activities . Man's farming activities can cause forest destruction through the use of of forest land for crop production or grazing livestock, practicing of bush fallowing or shifting cultivation which progressively leads to deforestation because the short fall periods do not allow for sufficient forest regeneration.
c) Timber exploitation; The practice of selective elimination of certain tree species in a natural forest causes deforestation. Also, the exploitation of timber for furniture, export, etc, can cause deforestation.
d) Mining/industrialization forest trees are destroyed when the land is cleared for excavation for mining minerals. Also, petroleum exploration and siting of industries involve clearing of forest.
e ) Natural disaster; Fire is the most serious problem to which forests are exposed, especially during the dry season. bush burning is caused by fire used by farmers. such fire may extend to the forest, thereby destroying tree species. other natural disasters which can cause deforestation include landslide, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and prolonged flooding.
f) Government policies. Government inadvertently introduces policies that can encourage felling of fuel woods and timber exploitation.
Effects or disadvantages of deforestation
a) unfavourable climatic factors; Persistent and prolonged drought can lead to death of forest species. Also, wind blast can destroy vegetation on its path.
b) Man's farming activities . Man's farming activities can cause forest destruction through the use of of forest land for crop production or grazing livestock, practicing of bush fallowing or shifting cultivation which progressively leads to deforestation because the short fall periods do not allow for sufficient forest regeneration.
c) Timber exploitation; The practice of selective elimination of certain tree species in a natural forest causes deforestation. Also, the exploitation of timber for furniture, export, etc, can cause deforestation.
d) Mining/industrialization forest trees are destroyed when the land is cleared for excavation for mining minerals. Also, petroleum exploration and siting of industries involve clearing of forest.
e ) Natural disaster; Fire is the most serious problem to which forests are exposed, especially during the dry season. bush burning is caused by fire used by farmers. such fire may extend to the forest, thereby destroying tree species. other natural disasters which can cause deforestation include landslide, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and prolonged flooding.
f) Government policies. Government inadvertently introduces policies that can encourage felling of fuel woods and timber exploitation.
Effects or disadvantages of deforestation
deforestation has some effects or disadvantages on the environment. These are:
i) deforestation encourages or increases soil erosion
ii) It leads to loss of organic matter, resulting in the loss of soil facility.
iii) It reduces the amount of rainfall in the area. or it cause the destruction of watershed.
iv) it decreases soil moisture retention.
v) it increase the leaching of plants nutrients.
vi) Deforestation destroy the micro-climate, and warms up the environment.
vii) It also reduces the forest fauna (wild life) population in the area concerned.
viii) it may lead to desert encroachment as sand particles are more likely to drop in areas without trees.
ix) it depletes the supply of forest produce (raw materials) to industries, e.g timber.
i) deforestation encourages or increases soil erosion
ii) It leads to loss of organic matter, resulting in the loss of soil facility.
iii) It reduces the amount of rainfall in the area. or it cause the destruction of watershed.
iv) it decreases soil moisture retention.
v) it increase the leaching of plants nutrients.
vi) Deforestation destroy the micro-climate, and warms up the environment.
vii) It also reduces the forest fauna (wild life) population in the area concerned.
viii) it may lead to desert encroachment as sand particles are more likely to drop in areas without trees.
ix) it depletes the supply of forest produce (raw materials) to industries, e.g timber.
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