From Forest to Barren Land: The Devastating Effects of Deforestation

Forests are among the most critical ecosystems on the planet. In addition to providing habitat for countless plant and animal species, they deliver essential natural, social and economic services and help combat climate change. Sadly, the effects of deforestation have left these ecosystems vulnerable to collapse. 

Of course, for change to occur, one must understand how the problem developed and what the fallout could mean for the natural environment and humankind. Fortunately, individual acts make just as much of a difference as widespread conservation efforts.

What Is Deforestation?

Deforestation happens when people clear or thin forests for various uses. For instance, much of the Amazon has been cleared for agriculture, while many forests have undergone excessive logging. Other times, urbanization, new infrastructure, mining, and wildfires have caused the collapse of the forest ecosystem.

Eighty percent of Western Europe was covered in forest landscapes 2,000 years ago. Today, only 34% remain. Nearly 50% of North American forests were cleared for timber and farming between the 1600s and 1970s. China has also recorded a significant decline in forests over the past 4,000 years. 

One reason for this is the rise of palm oil plantations, which have rapidly increased the rate of deforestation worldwide, destroying critical habitats and harming biodiversity. Palm oil is found in food, cosmetics, cleaning solutions, and other products people use daily. Indonesia has especially suffered a loss of one-third of its forests due to palm oil production.

The Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Deforestation

Most terrestrial species rely on boreal and tropical forests for survival. Between the two climates, forests comprise over 60,000 tree species and provide habitat for 80%, 75%, and 68% of the world’s amphibian, avian, and mammalian species. Another 60% of vascular plants — those with special tissue to transport food, water, and minerals — belong to tropical forests where mangroves provide a nursery habitat for fish and shellfish. 

The loss of forests also spells trouble for climate change, as these ecosystems sequester 7.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year — over 1.5 times as much as Americans generate. Younger forests — about 20-70 years old — are most effective in the carbon cycle, while older forests maintain greater CO2 storage.

The adverse effects of deforestation also trickle down to the water cycle, hindering forests’ ability to absorb and hold water. This causes water availability to fluctuate while increasing runoff and groundwater recharge. As a result, the planet endures more significant flooding, water scarcity and droughts over time.

Of course, a forest is a critical ecosystem for biodiversity, including threatened and endangered plant and animal species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) recognizes over 166,000 threatened species on the IUCN Red List — 46,300 are at risk of extinction. Conservation scientists are now on high alert as they implement efforts to maintain and restore forest habitats for species’ survival.

What Are the Socio-Economic Implications of Deforestation?

Although much emphasis has been placed on the environmental effects of deforestation, it also has socio-economic implications. Many people, particularly indigenous communities, rely on forests for their livelihoods.

The loss of land necessary for thriving industries causes lower incomes, higher inflation, and reduced exports. Deforestation could contribute to a greater dependence on forest resources for non-farm activities, leading to unfeasible sustainable development. 

Forest clearing may also lead to future pandemics in an unexpected turn of events. Scientists examined how human development leads to biodiversity loss and disease outbreaks in one study. Their findings suggested rats, bats, and similar species tend to survive through human-induced ecological changes. These animals, in particular, carry harmful pathogens that are often hazardous to people. 

Forests are also the foundation for critical medicines, providing essential ingredients for oral contraceptives, antimalaria drugs, anti-HIV medications, novocaine, and various cancer drugs. Without the survival of forest plants, many medications may no longer be available or capable of development in the future.

Mitigation Strategies to Protect the Earth’s Forests

For nearly 50 years, the United Nations, governments, conservation groups, corporations and other vital stakeholders have actively protected forests from destruction, including illegal logging, unsustainable resource extraction, and widespread agriculture. 

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 100 world leaders are committed to ending and reversing deforestation by 2030 — underscored by the $19.2 billion pledge made by several private and public funders. 

Sustainable forest management is at the heart of forest conservation. For example, certification agencies like the Forest Stewardship Council encourage environmentally responsible logging with less impact. Reforestation — planting new trees in degraded forests — and establishing new forests on non-forested land are critical.

Other mitigation measures include the following:

• Integration of new technologies like satellite imagery and blockchain product tracing
• Collaboration with Indigenous communities to apply their expertise and practices to sustainable resource use
• New policies and regulations for forest protection, including more stringent criteria for land use and resource extraction

What You Can Do 

Citizens can take several steps to fight the effects of deforestation. Mostly, it requires preventing it in the first place. Some initiatives you can take at home include the following:

• Plant trees in your yard, neighborhood, or local parks.
• Limit paper consumption by digitizing documents, using reusable bags, and printing on both sides of printer paper.
• Recycle paper goods to reduce the need to cut down more trees.
• Make informed food choices and eat less meat to prevent further land use changes for agriculture.
• Avoid products that use palm oil.
• Purchase wood and paper products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or other tree-conserving organizations.

Perhaps most important is educating others. Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about deforestation worldwide and teach them about how they can support preservation.

“Save Our Trees” Is More Than a Slogan

“Save our trees” is more than a trendy hashtag on social media. It’s a dire movement to prevent the devastating effects of deforestation. Fortunately, one doesn’t have to be part of a scientific community to create a positive change. People can do things at home — from recycling goods to avoiding certain products — to reduce their impact on forest ecosystems.