Deforestation and Effects
Deforestation Eight thousand years ago, when humans didn’t have an astounding affect on the world ecosystem, trees covered two fifths of the land. ... According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, deforestation is defined as the action or process of clearing of forests… (www. ... The act of deforestation could, in a matter of just a few decades, completely strip the earth of trees. Deforestation not only has a phenomenal effect on the ecological balance of the world, but its economic stability as well. ... The Amazon Rain Forest is among the leading places ravaged by deforestation. ... The most recent deforestation measurements by the INPE (Space Research Institute of Brazil) show that by 1988, some 251,429 square kilometers… had been deforested (UNRISD, 8). ... Deforestation has a number of root causes, from agricultural purposes to increasing population. The most significant amount of deforestation is a direct result of agriculture and the need for food from the rising population. ... Cattle ranching is another one of the highest reasons for deforestation. ... The environmental effects of deforestation are alarming. Deforestation increases atmospheric carbon levels; is a factor in species extinction; and also increases the frequency of floods and soil relocation. ... Logging of the rainforests can also have disastrous effects on the forests. ... Economically, the effects of deforestation are astounding.