Ways to solve the problem of deforestation. Problems and possible measures to combat forest destruction
The forest expanses of Russia seem almost limitless. But even on such a scale, man is in the process economic activity, manages to inflict damage on them. Felling for the purpose of timber harvesting is becoming widespread in some places. Such intensive and unreasonable use gradually leads to the fact that the forest fund begins to deplete. This is noticeable even in the taiga zone.
Rapid destruction forest areas leads to the disappearance of unique flora and fauna, as well as to the deterioration environmental situation. This especially affects the composition of the air.
Main causes of deforestation
Among the main reasons for deforestation, the first thing worth noting is the possibility of its use as a building material. Also very often, forests are cut down for the purpose of development or use of land for agricultural land.
This problem became especially acute at the beginning of the 19th century. With the development of science and technology, most of the cutting work began to be performed by machines. This made it possible to significantly increase productivity and, accordingly, the number of trees cut down.
Another reason for massive deforestation is the creation of pastures for farm animals. This problem is especially acute in tropical forests. On average, grazing one cow will require 1 hectare of pasture, which is several hundred trees.
Why should forestlands be preserved? What does deforestation lead to?
A forest is not only trees and shrubs and grasses, but also hundreds of different living creatures. Deforestation is one of the most common environmental problems. With the destruction of trees in the biogeocenosis system, the ecological balance is disrupted.
Uncontrolled destruction of forests leads to the following negative consequences:
- Some species of flora and fauna are disappearing.
- Species diversity is decreasing.
- The amount of carbon dioxide () begins to increase in the atmosphere.
- Soil erosion occurs, which leads to the formation of deserts.
- In places with high groundwater levels, waterlogging begins.
Interesting! More than half of all forest areas are tropical forests. Moreover, they are home to about 90% of all known animals and plants.
Statistics on deforestation in the world and in Russia
Deforestation is a global problem. It is relevant not only for Russia, but also for a number of other countries. According to statistics on deforestation, about 200 thousand km 2 of forests are cut down every year around the world. This leads to the death of tens of thousands of animals.
If we consider the data in thousands of hectares for individual countries, they will look like this:
- Russia - 4.139;
- Canada - 2.45;
- Brazil - 2.15;
- USA - 1.73;
- Indonesia - 1.6.
The problem of deforestation least of all concerns China, Argentina and Malaysia. On average, about 20 hectares of forests are destroyed on the planet in one minute. This problem is especially acute for tropical zone. For example, in India, in just over 50 years, the forested area has decreased by more than half.
In Brazil large areas forests were cut down for development purposes. Because of this, the populations of some animal species have declined greatly. Africa accounts for approximately 17% of the world's forest reserves. In terms of hectares, this is about 767 million. According to the latest data, about 3 million hectares are cut down here every year. Behind last centuries Over 70% of forests in Africa were destroyed.
Deforestation statistics in Russia are also disappointing. Especially a lot of trees are being destroyed. coniferous species. Massive deforestation in Siberia and the Urals contributed to the formation of a large number of wetlands. It is worth noting that most of logging is illegal.
Forest groups
All forests on the territory of Russia according to their environmental and economic importance can be classified into 3 groups:
- This group includes plantings that have a water protection and protective function. For example, these could be forest belts along the banks of reservoirs or wooded areas on mountain slopes. This group also includes forests that perform sanitary, hygienic and health-improving functions, national reserves and parks, natural monuments. The forests of the first group account for 17% of the total forest area.
- The second group includes plantings in areas with high population density and a well-developed transport network. This also includes forests with an insufficient timber resource base. The second group accounts for about 7%.
- The most large group its share in the forest fund accounts for 75%. This category includes plantings for operational purposes. Due to them, the needs for wood are satisfied.
The division of forests into groups is described in more detail in the “Fundamentals of Forest Legislation”.
Types of fellings
Timber harvesting can be carried out in all forest groups without exception. In this case, all fellings are divided into 2 types:
- main use;
- care
Final fellings
Final felling is carried out only in plantations that have reached the period of maturity. They are divided into the following types:
- Solid. With this type of logging, everything except the undergrowth is cut down. They are carried out in one go. Restrictions on their implementation are imposed in forests that have environmental and ecological significance, as well as in nature reserves and parks.
- Gradual. With this type of felling, the tree stand is removed in several stages. At the same time, trees that interfere with the further development young animals, damaged and sick. Typically, 6 to 9 years pass between cuttings. In the first step, about 35% of the total tree stand is removed. At the same time, the bulk consists of overmature trees.
- Selective. Their main purpose is the formation of highly productive plantations. During them, diseased, dead, windfall and other inferior trees are cut down. All thinnings are divided into the following types: clarification, clearing, thinning and passing. Depending on the condition of the forest, thinning may also be clear cutting.
Legal and illegal logging
All deforestation work is strictly regulated Russian legislation. In this case, the most important document is the “Cutting Ticket”. To complete it you will need the following documents:
- A statement indicating the reason for the felling.
- Plan of the area highlighting the area allocated for felling.
- Taxation description of cut down plantings.
A logging ticket will also be required when exporting already harvested wood. Its price is proportional to the cost of compensation for use natural resources. Cutting down trees without the appropriate documents is classified as illegal logging.
Responsibility for it is provided for in Article 260 Part 1. It is applicable only in cases where the amount of damage exceeds 5,000 rubles. For smaller violations, administrative liability is applicable. It implies the imposition of a fine in the amount of 3,000 to 3,500 rubles on citizens and from 20 to 30 thousand on officials.
Consequences of deforestation
The consequences of deforestation are a long-term problem. Deforestation affects the entire ecosystem. This is especially true for the problem of purifying and saturating the air with oxygen.
Also, according to recent studies, it has been found that massive logging contribute global warming. This is due to the carbon cycle that occurs on the surface of the Earth. At the same time, we should not forget about the water cycle in nature. Trees take an active part in it. Absorbing moisture with their roots, they evaporate it into the atmosphere.
Soil erosion is another problem accompanying problem deforestation. Tree roots prevent erosion and weathering of the top fertile layers of soil. In the absence of a tree stand, wind and precipitation begin to destroy the upper humus layer, thereby turning fertile lands into a lifeless desert.
The problem of deforestation and ways to solve it
One of the ways to solve the problem of deforestation is to plant trees. But she will not be able to completely compensate for the damage caused. The approach to this problem must be comprehensive. To do this, you must adhere to the following directions:
- Plan forest management.
- Strengthen protection and control over the use of natural resources.
- Develop a system for monitoring and accounting of the forest fund.
- Improve forest legislation.
In most cases, planting trees does not cover the damage caused. For example, in South America and Africa, despite all the measures taken, the forest area continues to decline inexorably. Therefore, to reduce negative consequences fellings must be accepted and the whole complex additional measures:
- Increase planting area annually.
- Create protected areas with special treatment forest management.
- Dedicate significant efforts to preventing forest fires.
- Deploy recycling wood
Forest protection policy in different countries may differ significantly. Some impose restrictions on use, while others simply increase the volume of restoration plantings. But absolutely new approach developed for this problem Norway. She plans completely stop cutting down.
This country has officially announced that the so-called “zero deforestation” policy will be implemented on its territory. Over the years, Norway has actively supported various programs for forest protection. For example, in 2015, it allocated 1 billion rubles to Brazil to preserve the Amazon rain forests. Investments from Norway and a number of other countries have helped reduce deforestation by 75%.
From 2011 to 2015, the Norwegian government allocated 250 million rubles and other tropical country- Guyana. And as of this year, Norway has officially announced “zero tolerance” for logging. That is, it will no longer purchase forest products.
Environmental experts say that paper can also be produced by recycling waste. And as fuel and building materials other resources can be used. The Norwegian state pension fund responded to this statement by withdrawing from its portfolio all shares of enterprises associated with damage to the forest fund.
According to the fund wildlife, every minute forests with an area comparable to the area of 48 football fields disappear from the surface of the Earth. This also significantly increases the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
On our planet. They are a natural and complex ecosystem that supports a huge range of life forms. Forests are natural miracle, and unfortunately many take it for granted.
The meaning of forests
Forests and biodiversity are extremely important. The richer the biodiversity, the more opportunities humanity has for medical discoveries, economic development and adaptive responses to such ecological problems, such as climate change.
Below are some examples of the importance of forests:
Habitat and Biodiversity
Forests serve as home () for millions of animals and plants that are part of. All these representatives of flora and fauna are called biodiversity, and the interaction with each other and with their physical environment called . Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from various natural Disasters such as floods and fires.
Economic benefits
Forests are of great importance to us. economic importance. For example, plantation forests provide people with wood that is exported and used in all parts of the world. They also provide tourism income to local residents.
Climate control
Climate control and air purification are key factors For human existence. Trees and soils help regulate atmospheric temperatures in a process called evapotranspiration and stabilize the climate. In addition, trees enrich the atmosphere by absorbing harmful gases (such as CO2 and other greenhouse gases) and producing oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
Deforestation
Deforestation is a growing global problem with far-reaching environmental and economic consequences. At the same time, humanity will be able to fully experience some of the consequences when it is too late to prevent them. But what is deforestation and why is it such a serious problem?
Causes
Deforestation refers to the loss or destruction of natural trees, primarily due to human activities, such as: uncontrolled cutting of trees; burning forests to use land in agriculture(including growing agricultural crops and grazing livestock); ; dam construction; increasing the area of cities, etc.
However, not all types of deforestation are intentional. It may be due natural processes(including forest fires, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, etc.) and human interests. For example, fires burn large areas every year, and although fire is a natural part life cycle forests, grazing after a fire can hinder the growth of young trees.
Deforestation rate
Forests continue to cover more than 26% of our planet's land area. However, every year, about 13 million hectares of forest are converted into agricultural land or cleared for other purposes.
Of this figure, about 6 million hectares are “virgin” forests, which are defined as forests where there are no clearly visible signs of human activity and where ecological processes are not greatly disturbed.
Reforestation programs, as well as the natural expansion of forests, have led to a slowdown in deforestation rates. Despite this, about 7.3 million hectares forest resources are lost every year.
Forest resources of Asia and South America, are particularly vulnerable and face big amount threats. At current rates of deforestation, they could be destroyed as functional in less than a century.
Coastal rainforests West Africa decreased by almost 90%, and deforestation in South Asia was almost as severe. Two thirds lowland tropical forests V Central America converted to grassland since 1950, and 40% of all tropical forest area has been completely lost. Madagascar has lost 90% of its forest resources, and Brazil is facing the disappearance of more than 90% of the Atlantic Forest. Several countries have declared deforestation a national emergency.
Consequences of deforestation
The problem of deforestation leads to the following environmental and economic consequences:
- A loss biological diversity. Scientists estimate that about 80% of Earth's biodiversity, including those species that have not yet been discovered, . Deforestation in these regions is destroying organisms, destroying ecosystems, and leading to the potential extinction of many species, including essential species used to make medicines.
- Climate change. Deforestation also contributes, and tropical forests contain about 20% of all greenhouse gases, which can be released into the atmosphere and lead to environmental and economic consequences worldwide. Although some people and organizations may benefit financially from deforestation, these short-term benefits cannot compensate for the negative and long-term economic losses.
- Economic losses. At the 2008 Biodiversity Conference in Bonn, Germany, scientists, economists and other experts concluded that deforestation and damage to other ecological systems could cut people's living standards in half and reduce global gross domestic product (GDP) by about 7%. Forest products and related activities contribute approximately US$600 billion to global GDP annually.
- Water cycle. Trees are important for. They absorb precipitation and produce water vapor, which is released into the atmosphere. Trees also reduce water pollution.
- Soil erosion. Tree roots anchor the soil, and without them, the fertile layer of soil can be weathered or washed away, which impairs plant growth. Scientists estimate that a third of the forest resources have been converted to arable land since 1960.
- The quality of life. Soil erosion can also lead to silt entering lakes, streams and others. This may cause contamination fresh water on certain territory and contribute to the poor health of local residents.
Fighting deforestation
Forest plantations
The opposite of deforestation is the concept of reforestation. However, it should be understood that it is not enough to solve everything serious problems planting new trees. Reforestation involves a set of actions that are aimed at:
- Restoring the ecosystem benefits provided by forests, including carbon storage, the water cycle and ;
- Reducing the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere;
- Restoring wildlife habitats.
However, reforestation will not completely eliminate all the damage. For example, forests cannot absorb all carbon dioxide, which people emit into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. Humanity still needs to avoid the accumulation of harmful substances in the atmosphere. Reforestation will also not help the loss of species due to deforestation. Unfortunately, humanity has already reduced the numbers of many species of flora and fauna to such an extent that they will no longer be able to recover even with considerable effort.
Reforestation is not the only way to combat deforestation. There is also slowing down deforestation, which involves avoiding animal foods as much as possible and switching to a plant-based diet. This could significantly reduce the need to clear forest land for agricultural use.
One of the ways to meet the global demand for wood is the creation of forest plantations (afforestation). They can reduce deforestation natural forests 5-10 times and provide the necessary needs of humanity, with less environmental consequences.
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Radiation exposure is a consequence of the death of forests
The death of forests due to strong radiation throughout history since the beginning of the atomic era (about 50 years) was noted in the traces of radioactive fallout from the Kyshtym and Chernobyl radiation accidents and occurred from exposure to high levels exposure in the first 1-2 years after the accident.
In total, the area of completely destroyed forest plantations was no more than 10 km2. Proportion of forests killed by radiation damage throughout history nuclear industry amounts to 0.3-0.4% of the annual loss of forests in the country (2-3 thousand km2).
Death and deforestation
One of the reasons for the death of forests in many regions of the world is acid rain, the main culprits of which are power plants. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and their transport over long distances result in such rain falling far from the sources of emissions. In Austria, eastern Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden, more than 60% of the sulfur falling on their territory comes from external sources, and in Norway even 75%.
Other examples of long-distance transport of acids include acid rain on such remote islands as Atlantic Ocean, like Bermuda, and acid snow in the Arctic.
Over the past 20 years (1970 - 1990), the world has lost almost 200 million hectares of forestland, which is equal to the area of the United States east of the Mississippi.
A particularly great environmental threat is posed by the depletion of tropical forests - the “lungs of the planet” and the main source of the planet’s biological diversity. There, approximately 200 thousand square kilometers are cut down or burned annually, which means 100 thousand species of plants and animals disappear. This process occurs especially quickly in the richest tropical forests regions - Amazonia and Indonesia.
British ecologist N. Meyers came to the conclusion that ten small areas in the tropics contain, at least, 27% of the total species composition of this class of plant formations, this list was later expanded to 15 tropical forest “hot spots” that must be preserved at all costs.
IN developed countries acid rain caused damage to a significant part of the forest: in Czechoslovakia - 71%, in Greece and Great Britain - 64%, in Germany - 52%.
Current situation with forests is very different across continents. While in Europe and Asia forested areas increased slightly between 1974 and 1989, in Australia they decreased by 2.6% in one year. Even greater degradation the forest is coming V individual countries: in Côte d'Ivoire, forest area decreased by 5.4% over the year, in Thailand - by 4.3%, in Paraguay by 3.4%.
Forest and tourism
Since ancient times, the forest has always attracted a large number of hunters, berry and mushroom pickers and those simply wanting to relax. With the development of mass tourism in our country, the number of forest visitors has increased so much that it has become a factor that cannot be taken into account when protecting the forest. Millions of people in summer time, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, go to suburban forests to spend their weekends or vacations in the lap of nature. Thousands of tourists hike along the same routes. In suburban forests you can often find entire tent cities with a large population. Visitors to the forest make major changes in his life. To install tents, they cut down undergrowth, remove, break and destroy young growth. Young trees die not only under fires, but also under axes, and even simply under the feet of numerous visitors. Forests often visited by tourists are so thoroughly littered with cans, bottles, rags, paper, etc., and bear traces of large and small wounds, that this negatively affects natural reforestation. They carry and transport bouquets of flowers, branches of greenery, trees, and shrubs. The question is, what will happen if each of those who come to the forest picks only one branch, one flower? And it is no coincidence that after a number of years of poaching of nature in our, especially suburban, forests, many once abundant plants, shrubs and trees have disappeared. In the spring, tens of thousands of townspeople flock to the forests for bird cherry and lilac. Not satisfied with modest bouquets. Armfuls, brooms, often on the roofs of cars. How can one not envy the delicate taste of the Japanese, who believe that a bouquet is spoiled if it contains more than three flowers.
Not last place The custom of decorating New Year trees plays a role in causing damage. If we accept that there is one holiday tree per 10-15 residents, then it becomes clear to everyone that, for example, big city This cozy tradition costs several tens, or even hundreds of thousands of young trees every year. Low-forest areas are especially affected. The presence of even one person does not pass without a trace for the forest. Picking mushrooms, flowers and berries undermines the self-renewal of a number of plant species. A fire completely disables the piece of land on which it was laid out for 5-7 years. The noise scares away various birds and mammals and prevents them from raising their offspring normally. Breaking off branches, nicks on trunks and others mechanical damage trees contribute to their infestation by insect pests.
It should be recalled once again: the forest is our friend, selfless and powerful. But he, like a person whose soul is wide open, demands both attention and care from a careless, thoughtless attitude towards him. Life without a forest is unthinkable, and we are all responsible for its well-being, responsible today, always responsible. Recreational loads are divided into safe, including both low and maximum permissible loads, dangerous and critical and catastrophic. A load can be considered safe when no irreversible changes occur in the natural complex. The impact of such loads leads the natural complex to stage II or III of digression. The load corresponding to stage II is conventionally called “low”, since the natural complex is able to withstand a large load without losing its restorative power. The maximum permissible recreational load leads the natural complex to stage III of digression. If a natural complex moves from stage III to stage IV of digression, i.e., “steps over” the stability limit, recreational loads are considered dangerous. Critical loads correspond to the IV stage of phytocenosis digression. Catastrophic loads lead the natural complex to the V stage of digression, in which connections are disrupted, both between natural ingredients, and between their component parts. Different types of natural complexes, having different structures and the nature of relationships between morphological units, react differently to any external influences, including recreational loads. Therefore the load is safe for one type natural complex, can become dangerous or even critical for another type. The main task of forestry in green areas is to preserve and improve health and protective properties forests, and the creation of favorable recreational conditions for mass recreation of the population.
Forest fires
Among the important abiotic factors, affecting the nature of the communities formed in the ecosystem, should include fires. The fact is that some areas are regularly and periodically exposed to fires. IN coniferous forests, growing in the southeastern United States, and treeless shrouds, as well as in steppe zone fires are a very common phenomenon. In forests where fires occur regularly, trees usually have thick bark, which makes them more resistant to fire. The cones of some pine trees, such as the Banks pine, release seeds best when heated to a certain temperature. Thus, the seeds are sown at a time when other plants con. Number of forest fires in one of the regions of Siberia over two centuries: In some cases, the soil after fires is enriched with biogenic elements, such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium. As a result, animals grazing in areas exposed to periodic fires receive more nutritious nutrition. By preventing natural fires, humans thereby cause changes in ecosystems, the maintenance of which requires periodic burning of vegetation. Nowadays, fires have become a very common means of controlling the development of forests, although the public consciousness has difficulty getting used to this idea. Protecting forests from fires. The Earth's forests suffer severely from fires. Forest fires destroy 2 million tons annually organic matter. They do a lot of damage forestry: tree growth decreases, forest composition deteriorates, windbreaks increase, soil conditions and windbreaks, soil conditions worsen. Forest fires contribute to the spread of harmful insects and wood-destroying fungi. World statistics states that 97% of forest fires occur due to human fault and only 3% due to lightning, mainly ball. The flames of forest fires destroy both flora and fauna in their path. In Russia it is given huge attention protecting forests from fires. As a result of those taken for last years measures to strengthen preventive fire-fighting measures and implement a set of works for the timely detection and extinguishing of forest fires by aviation and ground forest fire units, the area of forests covered by fire, especially in the European part of Russia, has decreased significantly.
However, the number of forest fires is still high. Fires occur due to careless handling of fire, due to a deep violation of the rules fire safety during agricultural work. An increased risk of fires is created by clutter in forest areas.(4)