Solving the problem of deforestation. Why should forestlands be preserved? What does deforestation lead to?
In many regions of Russia, illegal and uncontrolled logging trees is carried out systematically. Estimated World Fund wildlife (World Wildlife Fund, WWF) annually Russia is losing about $1 billion due to illegal logging. In the Arkhangelsk region alone, last year inspectors recorded 359 cases of illegal logging, the losses from which amounted to 410,500,000 rubles ($12 million). You can find enough detailed information about changes in forestry that have occurred in last years.
Most high level illegal logging is observed in the north-west of Russia and the Far East. Increasing restrictions on timber harvesting in China has increased the demand for Russian timber. So the Far Eastern timber is sent to China, where sawmills and their Western customers destroy valuable hard rocks trees, of which we have fewer and fewer. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) states that "80% wood valuable species is being cut down illegally in the Far East.”
Half of all timber imported from Russia to the EU goes to Finland. Sweden, Germany, Great Britain and Italy are also major importers of wood from Russia.
Systematic destruction of forests causes significant damage wildlife, destroys the ecosystem, displaces animals from their original habitats. Intensive logging, according to WWF, threatens the existence of such animals as capercaillie, white-backed woodpecker, Amur tiger And amur leopard. Ash, linden, oak and cedar are disappearing. Also, deforestation is one of the main reasons for the increase in the greenhouse effect.
Despite the scale of the problem, the shortage human resources, low salaries for foresters, lack of control directly in the forests and gaps in legislation make it difficult to prevent such criminal acts. Companies, under the guise of cutting down diseased trees, harvest healthy, valuable wood. Some tenants of plots transfer the right to cut to other companies, which harvest more than the permitted volumes, and the tenants then buy the wood from them along with the surplus. Poachers must be caught by the hand in order to law enforcement agencies were able to bring them to justice. When the trees are removed from the place where they were cut down, it is no longer possible to present anything to the poachers. Sale of timber has become the main source of income for unscrupulous foresters and officials. In addition, many people resort to deforestation due to poverty and unemployment in order to feed their families.
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Unfortunately, for a very large number of people, the forest is only a source of wood. We can change this situation only by providing information about the importance of the forest and the consequences of its destruction. Forests bring economic profit and at the same time provide basic human needs. Lack of development in some regions has led to misuse of forest resources. Population growth increased the demand for new land for agriculture, settlements and buildings, which affected the condition of forests.
Earth Summit
In 1992, the UN organized the Earth Summit, at which global community was warned about the dangers associated with deforestation. As a result, governments around the world have begun to make efforts to prevent disaster by implementing measures to ensure the conservation and sustainable development of forests. At the Earth Summit, an Intergovernmental Commission on Forests was established to oversee the implementation of the Forest Policy program. All countries should take part in greening the world by planting trees. Forestry must be managed in such a way that it meets the social, economic, environmental, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations.
International financial assistance developing countries so that they can protect their forest resources. Forest conservation policies should support the identity, culture and rights of indigenous peoples through sustainable forest management programs that follow conservation guidelines environment. Such programs should be developed by national governments, non-governmental organizations, as well as private enterprises in cooperation with all stakeholders.
Functions of the forest
Environmental:
The forest serves as a habitat for most animals and a natural environment for plants.
The forest creates and preserves soil for agriculture.
The forest participates in the formation of climatic conditions.
The forest regulates the water cycle and ensures a constant supply of water.
Economic:
The forest is a source of wood.
The forest creates conditions for farming.
The forest is a source of components for the production of medicines/medicines.
The forest is involved in the development of ecotourism.
The forest provides work for foresters, scientists, and other categories of workers.
Despite all these important functions, forests are becoming increasingly scarce as a result of highway and dam construction, mining, industrial logging, settlement construction, wildfires, pollution and agriculture.
Consequences of forest destruction:
Droughts, floods, soil erosion and desertification.
Climate changes causing global warming.
The disappearance of some species of plants and animals (reduction biological diversity).
Hunger and poverty.
Loss of jobs.
Conflicts over fertile lands.
What can be done to save the forest?
You can reduce your paper and wood consumption. Use paper made from paper waste or from non-wood materials. Choose paper that is not made with chlorine. Always write to back side sheet whenever possible.
Manage your business responsibly. Business owners need to know that they are held accountable to the public for actions that harm the environment. If you feel that a company's actions are harmful, please send the company a letter expressing your concerns.
Practice reuse or processing. Now almost anything can be recycled. Return hangers to the dry cleaner and use cardboard milk cartons as planting pots.
Choose products with minimal packaging. Do you really need separate juice packs when you can use a thermos instead? Almost 50% of waste is packaging.
Plant trees. The UN has launched a tree planting campaign. Contact your school or club to get involved in the campaign and take part in planting trees.
Spread the word. How more people learn about the death of tropical rainforests, the more actively they will fight to stop this process.
Interesting facts about forests
Every second, a part of the tropical rainforest disappears, with an area equal to a football field. Forests Central Africa are the natural habitat for more than 8,000 various types plants. More than 5,000 different things are made from wood, such as houses, furniture, pencils, kitchen utensils, fences, books, newspapers, movie tickets, toothpaste and even clothes.
The oldest tree on Earth, which is already 4,700 years old, grows in the USA. This tree, which is the most ancient “inhabitant” of the Earth, grew when the Egyptians built the pyramids.
Most tropical rainforests are being cut down due to valuable wood. The liberated areas are used for agriculture, as pastures, and are also used by companies to locate their production facilities.
Essay
The problem of forest loss.
Completed by: Mikhaleva K.S.,
2nd year student of natural sciences
Faculty of Geography
specialty "Geography"
Checked by: Lyubimov V.B.,
professor, doctor of biology
chemical sciences
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………3
1.Forest fires……………………………………………………………….4
2. Deforestation…………………………………………………………………...5
3. Global solutions problems of forest loss……………………………..7
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….11
References……………………………………………………………12
Introduction
The forest filters water and regulates the water cycle in nature. It retains moisture in the soil longer than a non-forested area, since evaporation from the forested soil and the release of moisture from tree leaves occurs much more slowly. Thus, the forest makes it possible to more evenly fill streams and rivers with water, especially during the period of snow melting. The risk of flooding in wooded areas is much lower than in areas with few trees. The forest reduces the removal and erosion of soil by wind, water, scree and snow avalanches and thereby prevents karsting of the landscape. In addition, the groundwater level is protected from falling due to the root system of trees. The forest is a carbon store because it constantly binds carbon from carbon dioxide adsorbed in leaves and needles. One kilogram of dry wood contains approximately 500 grams of carbon. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and sequestering carbon in wood, the proportion of CO2 in the atmosphere, which causes the greenhouse effect, is reduced.
It is estimated that around 32 million acres are lost each year worldwide.
forests. 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 is especially fast in the regions richest in tropical forests - the Amazon and Indonesia.
Forest fires
Fires are among the important abiotic factors influencing the nature of communities formed in an ecosystem. 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 cause great harm to 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 claim 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 measures taken in recent years to strengthen preventive fire-fighting measures and implement a set of works to timely detect and extinguish forest fires by aviation and ground forest fire units, the area of forests covered by fire, especially in the European part of Russia, has been significantly reduced.
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.
Deforestation
The process of forest destruction is actual problem in many parts globe, since it affects their environmental, climatic and socio-economic characteristics. Deforestation leads to a decrease in biodiversity, wood reserves for industrial use and quality of life, as well as to an increase in the greenhouse effect due to a decrease in the volume of photosynthesis.
The full extent of the consequences of deforestation is unknown and not verified by sufficient scientific data, which causes active controversy in the scientific community. The scale of deforestation can be seen in satellite images Lands that can be accessed, for example, using the program
Determining the real rate of deforestation is quite difficult, since the organization responsible for recording this data (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO) mainly relies on official data from the relevant ministries individual countries. According to estimates of this organization, the total losses in the world over the first 5 years of the 21st century amounted to 7.3 million hectares of forest annually. Estimated World Bank in Peru and Bolivia, 80% of logging is illegal, in Colombia - 42%. The process of disappearing Amazon forests in Brazil is also happening much faster than scientists thought.
Globally, the rate of deforestation decreased in the 1980s and 1990s, as it did from 2000 to 2005. Given these trends, forest restoration efforts are projected to increase forest area by 10% over the next half century. However, reducing the rate of deforestation does not solve the problems already created by this process.
Consequences of deforestation:
1) The habitat for forest inhabitants (animals, mushrooms, lichens, herbs) is being destroyed. They may disappear completely.
2) The forest retains the top fertile layer of soil with its roots. Without support, the soil can be carried away by the wind (you get a desert) or water (you get ravines).
3) The forest evaporates a lot of water from the surface of its leaves. If you remove the forest, the air humidity in the area will decrease, and the soil moisture will increase (a swamp may form).
The thesis that after cutting down a forest the amount of oxygen will decrease is incorrect from an ecological point of view (a forest, as a developed ecosystem, absorbs as much oxygen from animals and fungi as it produces by plants), but it may work in the Unified State Examination.
The true wealth of the world is moist evergreens rainforests are being destroyed at an unprecedented rate. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, deforestation has increased by 8.5 percent this decade compared with the 1990s.
Asia has the highest rate of deforestation at 1.2% per year since 1990, followed by Latin America at 0.8%, and Africa at 0.7%. However, during the same period total area deforested areas per year in Latin America is 7.4 million hectares, in Africa – 4.1, Asia – 3.9.
Brazil contains 30% of the world's tropical forests and has the highest rates of deforestation. And this despite the fact that the Amazon forest, located in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru, is the largest tropical forest planet and contains about a fifth of all clean water in the world, which speaks of its enormous importance.
Deforestation is the process of converting forested land into land without tree cover, such as grasslands, cities, wastelands and others. The most common cause of deforestation is the clearing of forests without sufficient replanting of new trees. In addition, forests can be destroyed due to natural causes such as fire, hurricane or flood, as well as others anthropogenic factors eg acid rain.
Deforestation leads to a decrease in biodiversity, wood reserves for industrial use and quality of life, as well as an increase in the greenhouse effect due to a decrease in photosynthesis.
According to Greenpeace, it takes approximately 4-5 cubic centimeters to produce 1 gram of paper. coniferous wood(depending on the type and quality of paper, manufacturer). 1 ton of waste paper saves 5 cubic meters of wood, or up to 20-25 trees.
Global solutions to deforestation
At present, the rights of forest state protection to combat violators of the fire regime in forests and bring them to justice have been significantly expanded officials and citizens violating fire safety requirements. In populated areas with intensive forestry, the protection of forests from fires is ensured by forestry enterprises and their specialized units - fire-chemical stations. In total, there are about 2,700 such stations in the country. To increase the fire resistance of forests, work is carried out on a large scale on the fire protection of the forest fund, systems of fire breaks and barriers, a network of roads and reservoirs are created, and forests are cleared of clutter. Fires occurring in the forest are detected mainly with the help of fire observation stationary points, as well as forest guards during ground patrols. Forest fire units are armed with tank trucks, all-terrain vehicles, soil meters and foam generators. Cord charges are widely used explosives, and
artificially caused precipitation. Television equipment is being introduced,
facilitating the work of observers. It is planned to use infrared aircraft detectors to detect fires from the air in conditions of heavy smoke. Information obtained from artificial satellites Earth. Increased efficiency in detecting and extinguishing forest fires will be facilitated by the introduction of computer-calculated optimal operating modes for air forest protection units. IN sparsely populated areas North, Siberia and Far East Helicopters and airplanes with teams of paratroopers and paratroopers-firefighters are used to protect forests. A barrier on the way forest fire
there may be a solution timely applied to the soil at the border of the burning area. For example, a solution of bischofite, which is cheap and harmless. Important section fire prevention is well-organized fire prevention propaganda through radio, print, television and other means mass media. Forestry workers familiarize the population, forest workers and expeditions, and vacationing tourists with the basic requirements of fire safety rules in the forest, as well as with the measures that must be applied in accordance with current legislation to persons who violate these rules. Protecting the forest from harmful insects and diseases. For guard forest plantations against damage apply preventive actions aimed at preventing the emergence and mass reproduction forest pests and disease detection. Extermination measures are used to destroy pests and diseases. Prevention and extermination control provide effective protection plantings, subject to their timely and correct application. Protective measures are preceded by forest entomological examination, identification of places of distribution of harmful insects and diseases. Based on the data obtained, the question of the advisability of using certain protective measures is decided.
Measures to combat forest pests and diseases are divided according to the principle of their action and technical application into groups: forestry, biological, chemical, physical-mechanical and quarantine. In practice, these methods of forest protection are used comprehensively, in the form of a system of measures. A rational combination of control methods ensures the most effective suppression of vital activity pests In the woods. Forestry measures in forest protection have a predominantly preventive purpose: they prevent
spread of harmful insects and diseases, increase biological
acquires a microbiomethod based on the use of pathogenic microorganisms. A number of bacterial preparations have been proposed: dendrobacillin, insectin, taxobacterin, exotoxin, bitotoxybacillin, gomelin, etc. Protection of forests from pests and diseases should be carried out using methods that do not harm humans and the environment. The chemical method of combating harmful insects and diseases is based on the use of toxic substances against insects - insecticides, and against fungal diseases - fungicides. The action of insecticides and fungicides is based on chemical reactions them with substances that make up the cells of the body. The nature of the reaction and the strength of the effects of toxic substances manifest themselves differently depending on their chemical structure and physicochemical properties, as well as on the characteristics of the body. Chemical control methods are carried out using ground vehicles, airplanes and helicopters. Along with chemical and biologically physical and mechanical methods are also used: scraping egg clutches gypsy moth, cutting off the spider's nests of goldentails and pine shoots affected by whirligigs and pinworms, collecting sawfly larvae and May beetles, beetles, etc. These techniques are labor-intensive, therefore they are used rarely and only in small areas.
Forest protection measures. The main objectives of forest protection are its rational use and restoration. All higher value acquire measures to protect the forests of sparsely forested areas in connection with their water protection, soil protection, sanitary and health-improving role. Special attention should be given protection mountain forests, since they perform important water-regulating and soil-protecting functions. With the right
in forestry, repeated felling in a particular area
should be carried out no earlier than after 80 - 100 years, upon reaching full ripeness. An important measure for the rational use of forests is the fight against wood loss. Significant losses often occur during timber harvesting. Branches and needles remain in the felling areas, which are valuable materials for preparing pine flour - vitamin-rich feed for livestock. Forest cutting waste is promising for obtaining essential oils.
The forest is very difficult to restore. But still, forest is restored in deforested areas, sown in areas not covered by forest, and low-value plantings are reconstructed.
Along with artificial forest growing, work is widespread
on natural regeneration of the forest (leaving seeders, caring for self-seeding of economically valuable species, etc.). Much attention is paid to the preservation of undergrowth during forest cutting. New products have been developed and put into production technological schemes logging operations, which ensure the preservation of undergrowth and young growth during forest exploitation.
A significant factor in increasing forest productivity and enriching their composition is the breeding of new valuable forms, hybrids, varieties and introduced species. The study of form diversity and selection of economically valuable forms is carried out on a new theoretical basis, based on the analysis of pheno- and genotypic structures of natural populations and selection based on comparative analysis biotypes with certain valuable traits. When selecting valuable forms in nature and evaluating hybrids, attention is paid to plants that have not only high productivity at the age of quantitative or technological ripeness, but also plants that are characterized by high growth intensity in the initial period of ontogenesis. They are necessary for high-intensity plantations with short cutting rotations. Plantations are a special independent form of crop production in forestry to obtain a certain type products (wood, rods, chemicals, medicinal raw materials, etc.). Plantations use intensive agrotechnical measures. They serve as a powerful lever for the intensification and specialization of forestry production.
Deforestation statistics are very important for every country. Deforestation is a global problem that is getting worse every year. Negative consequences Deforestation affects not only human life, but also the planet as a whole. Thanks to statistics on unauthorized deforestation, the state can look for effective ways combating deforestation.
The problem of deforestation
A forest is a complex ecosystem. Its condition affects cleanliness, drinking and climatic conditions. Once upon a time there were forests on the planet earth great amount. They occupied huge areas. When the number grew, active land development began, development began, and the number of forests began to gradually decrease. People cut down forests for various purposes, often without permission.
Today, deforestation has become an environmental problem. planetary scale. Trees are a source of oxygen. They absorb many toxic substances and destroy microorganisms that cause diseases. They live in forests different types and plants. Trees absorb excess moisture, protect the soil, and protect against...
Although trees are renewable resources, the problem of deforestation is one of the most serious in the world. The rate of their reproduction is much lower than the rate of destruction. The planet is being harmed huge damage from deforestation. Everything could end in an environmental disaster.
Below is a photo from space, which clearly shows how forests have decreased in Brazil. On the left half you can see how the country looked before, and on the right, how things are with the number of trees now.
Why are forests cut down?
Humanity has many reasons for deforestation even in the 21st century. First of all, we need wood for building buildings. It is the most popular material in this industry due to the fact that natural product and costs less. In many villages, especially in Siberia, wood is used to build houses. It is used to build sheds for animals, storage for hay or grain, and baths.
The second most popular reason is that forests are cut down to provide firewood for the winter. In many private houses in rural areas people still do not have the opportunity to heat with gas. They use wood stoves for this. Forests are also cut down for wood, which will be used to make furniture, doors, window frames, and parquet. It is used to make sleepers, carriages, and build bridges and ships.
Industrial deforestation also occurs, since wood is a raw material for manufacturing various materials. For example, paper, fertilizers, rubber, plastics, acetone, turpentine, vinegar. Deforestation statistics include the preparation of the area they occupy for the following purposes:
- for the construction of power lines;
- for plowing steppes;
- under roads;
- for the manufacture of sports equipment, musical instruments;
- under construction;
- in mining.
Today, more than 20 thousand items of things that people need are made from wood.
Consequences of deforestation
However, not everyone understands what deforestation leads to. Humanity has not yet understood that trees need to be protected. The destruction of forests disrupts the oxygen cycle on the planet. This may end in the fact that in some areas of the planet it will simply be impossible to live - there will be nothing to breathe.
The destruction of trees leads to swamping of the area, which threatens a change in vegetation. Reservoirs will be overgrown with grass and mud. Deforestation leads to a decrease in ozone in the atmosphere. This will lead to poor harvests, epidemics, an increase in the number of sick people, and the formation of ozone holes.
The disappearance of trees leads to desertification as rainfall washes away the fertile soil layer. Because of this, residents of areas that have become arid become refugees. Many animals and plants die. Statistics on deforestation show that this leads to a change in the albedo of the earth and can provoke a disaster. Albedo is the ability of a planet to reflect radioactive streams from the sun. Additional consequences of deforestation:
- sudden changes in temperature;
- changing of the climate;
- excess sunlight, which will destroy plants that like to live in the shade;
- creation of a greenhouse effect in the biosphere;
- destruction of ecosystems;
- The amount of nitrogen in the soil increases, which prevents new trees from growing.
Trees block the flow groundwater, because their roots feed on them. The death of forests contributes to an increase in their abundance, since there is no one to absorb excess moisture. The liquid comes to the surface, fills rivers, evaporates, and falls in the form of numerous precipitations. This is why deforestation is associated with increased flooding and the occurrence of floods in areas where they have never been seen before.
A striking example of this was the city of Bangladesh. When forests were cut down on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, this city began to suffer from floods every few years. Previously, this happened a maximum of two times in 100 years.
These are the negative effects of deforestation on earth. In the future, everything may end up with us leaving our descendants with an unsuitable planet.
Ways to solve the problem
The most important solution to the problem of deforestation is the development of wise use standards plant resource. The following principles must be adhered to:
- preserve the forest landscape;
- teach the population to treat trees, animals and plants with care;
- protect forests from illegal logging;
- strengthen by state level control over the use of resources;
- restore forests after cutting down - plant and grow new trees in large quantities;
- improve legislation, issue laws that will protect forests from deforestation;
- fight poachers. Bring to or responsibility for deforestation;
- select only the most resistant tree species for planting in order to increase the number of forests;
- create nature reserves;
- develop methods of using wood waste;
- prohibit mining companies from using large areas of forest for clearing for their development;
- develop ecological forms.
How ordinary citizens can contribute to the fight against deforestation:
- plant landscaping on your property;
- use wood products sparingly;
- plant trees near houses, in courtyards, near villages, along river banks;
- complain about those who attempt illegal deforestation,
Of course, deforestation is a big problem all over the world, but ways to solve it can be found.
Responsibility for deforestation in the Russian Federation
In Russia, illegal logging entails punishment depending on the severity (Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). If the actions of the criminal resulted in the loss of large quantity plantings, then for deforestation it will not exceed 500 thousand. rub. If an act of poaching was committed by a group of persons, taking advantage of their official position, then the amount of sanctions will range from 500,000 to 1,500,000 rubles. For a crime committed in special large sizes a penalty of 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 rubles is provided.
According to Article 8.28 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation for individuals a fine of 3–4 thousand rubles is provided, provided that the equipment was not used for deforestation. For officials, the fine is 20–40 thousand rubles, for, among others, from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles.
As shown arbitrage practice, illegal cutting of trees is often punishable by imprisonment for a period of 2 to 7 years. The following penalties are also possible for unauthorized deforestation:
- forced labor;
- deprivation of the right to hold certain positions for a period of up to 3 years.
By law, you need to obtain permission to cut down forests. Every citizen can influence the situation with illegal deforestation. It is enough to notify the relevant authorities about cutting down trees. Initially, you can inform the local forestry department. Write down how many people are engaged in cutting down, take a photo, record vehicle numbers and the number of pieces of equipment.
If the work is being carried out legally, the forestry department will inform you about it. If the loggers were engaged in poaching, specialists from the forestry department should go to the police with your materials. If you suspect that foresters are covering up for criminals, you can contact the police yourself.
World statistics
Statistics on deforestation in the world record the deforestation of about 200 thousand km² of plantings per year. This leads to the death of 100 thousand animals and plants. The table shows statistics on deforestation by country in recent years:
A country | Number of hectares (thousands) |
Russia | |
Canada | 2,450 |
Brazil | 2,157 |
USA | 1, 7367 |
Indonesia | 1,605 |
Congo | 608 |
China | 523 |
Malaysia | 465 |
Argentina | 439 |
Paraguay. | 421 |
The fewest trees are cut down by Paraguayans, Chinese, Argentines and Malaysians. The secret is that China, for example, buys wood from other countries. In 10 years mass felling forests have reached the point where about 20 hectares of trees are destroyed every minute. It's time for humanity to learn how to replenish these riches of nature.
Today, due to the deforestation of tropical forests, there are more than two times less plantings left on our planet than there were before. They once covered 14% of the land, but now only 6%.
In India, the number of forests has been halved in half a century. Large-scale deforestation has resulted from deforestation in America and the Caribbean. Here the number of forests has decreased by 500,000 hectares.
In Brazil, huge numbers of trees have been replaced with concrete walls. Because of this, the populations of some animal species have declined. Approximately 17% of all forests are concentrated in Africa, which is about 767 million hectares. Now the number of forests on this continent is declining by 3 million hectares annually. In 100 years, 80% of the forests here have been cut down. In a number African countries people still use it for heating charcoal. They don't have access to gas because of...
Deforestation in the Amazon and Madagascar has led to disastrous results. Much of the land has become arid and sun-scorched. Unique animals live here and plants grow that are not found anywhere else. But due to deforestation, many of them began to die out.
In Asia, deforestation has reached 98% of all land. Here trees are destroyed mainly for construction. In Europe, the problem has not yet reached such proportions, but programs are already being developed here aimed at restoring lost resources.
Data for Russia
The statistics on deforestation in Russia are disappointing - in our country much more trees are destroyed than in other countries. In the Baikal basin alone, 3 million cubic meters of forest have disappeared. Deforestation in Russia leads to the destruction of valuable coniferous species(cedar, pine).
In recent years, deforestation in Siberia and the Urals has led to the emergence of a large number of swamps in these regions. Floods have become more frequent here.
Constant deforestation on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains has led to rivers overflowing more and more every year. Water erosion is developing, which is why cases have become more frequent. All this causes enormous damage to agricultural lands, as well as to settlements located near the mountains.
Recently, harvests have decreased on Sakhalin Island salmon fish. Due to deforestation in river basins, which has become more frequent in this region, the bottom of reservoirs becomes unsuitable for laying eggs. In addition, the fauna that salmon feed on is disrupted.
Many forests are being cut down in the Altai Territory, causing damage to the famous ribbon forest. Here, 3.5 thousand hectares of forests are destroyed every year. 66 plots were leased to timber harvesting enterprises.
According to statistics on deforestation by year, in Russia annually the damage from the destruction of trees exceeds 10 billion rubles. It will take our country about 100 years to restore its resources, provided that the destruction of trees stops completely.
A large amount of wood goes to. On the diagram shows how much timber was exported only in the first 6 months of 2016:
Ukrainian and Belarusian data
There are no statistics on deforestation in Ukraine. But recently, a catastrophically large number of trees have been cut down in the Carpathians. The satellite photo clearly shows how much area is now left without trees:
Statistics of deforestation in Belarus for 2015 shows the destruction of 18.5 million cubic meters of wood. However, the government of the Republic of Belarus plans to increase this figure by 18%. While the replenishment of resources in the country is very slow. Therefore, scientists fear for the ecology of the state.
conclusions
As deforestation statistics show, Russia destroys the most trees in the world. A large percentage falls on illegal actions. The government and specialists responsible for the environmental well-being of the country need to look for more effective measures to combat the destruction of forests.
Forest destruction is accelerating. The green lungs of the planet are being cut down to seize land for other purposes. According to some estimates, we lose 7.3 million hectares of forest every year, which is roughly the size of the country of Panama.
INjust some facts
- About half of the world's rainforests have already been lost
- Forests currently cover about 30% of the world's land mass
- Deforestation increases annual global carbon dioxide emissions by 6-12%
- Every minute a forest the size of 36 football fields disappears on Earth.
Where are we losing forests?
Deforestation occurs all over the world, but tropical forests suffer the most. NASA predicts that if the current rate of deforestation continues, tropical forests could disappear completely within 100 years. Countries affected include Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, Congo and other parts of Africa, and some areas of Eastern Europe. The most great danger threatens Indonesia. Since the last century, this state has lost, according to at least, 15.79 million hectares of forest land according to the US University of Maryland and the World Resources Institute.
And although deforestation has increased over the past 50 years, the problems go back deep into history. For example, 90% of the native forests of the continental United States have been destroyed since the 1600s. The World Resources Institute notes that indigenous forests remain to a greater extent in Canada, Alaska, Russia and the Northwest Amazon.
Causes of forest disappearance
There are many such reasons. As stated in the WWF report, half of the trees illegally removed from the forest are used as fuel.
Other reasons:
- To free up land for housing and urbanization
- Extraction of wood for processing into products such as paper, furniture and building materials
- To highlight marketable ingredients such as palm oil
- To free up space for raising livestock
In most cases, forests are burned or cut down. These methods lead to the land remaining barren.
Forestry experts call clear-cutting an "ecological trauma unmatched in nature except, perhaps, by a large volcanic eruption."
Forest burning can be done using fast or slow techniques. The ashes of burnt trees provide food for plants for some time. When the soil becomes depleted and the vegetation disappears, farmers simply move to another plot and the process begins again.
Deforestation and climate change
Deforestation is recognized as one of the factors contributing to global warming. Problem #1: Losing forests impacts the global carbon cycle. Gas molecules that absorb thermal infrared radiation are called greenhouse gases. The accumulation of large amounts of greenhouse gases causes climate change. Unfortunately, oxygen, being the second most abundant gas in our atmosphere, does not absorb thermal infrared radiation as well as greenhouse gases. On the one hand, green spaces help combat greenhouse gases. On the other hand, according to Greenpeace, 300 billion tons of carbon are released into the environment every year precisely because of the burning of wood as fuel.
Carbon is not the only greenhouse gas associated with deforestation. water vapor also falls into this category. Impact of deforestation on water vapor exchange and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and earth's surface is the biggest problem in the climate system today.
Deforestation has reduced global vapor flows from the ground by 4%, according to a study published by the US National Academy of Sciences. Even this small change in steam flows can disrupt natural weather and change existing models climate.
Some more consequences of deforestation
A forest is a complex ecosystem that affects almost every species of life on the planet. Removing forests from this chain is tantamount to destroying the ecological balance both in the region and throughout the world.
INspecies extinction: National Geographic says that 70% of the world's plants and animals live in forests, and cutting them down leads to habitat loss. He also experiences negative consequences local population, which collects wild plants plant food and hunting.
Water cycle: The trees are playing important role in the water cycle. They absorb precipitation and release water vapor into the atmosphere. According to North Carolina State University, trees reduce pollution by trapping polluting runoff. In the Amazon, more than half of the water in the ecosystem comes through plants, reports the National Geographic Society.
E Rosa soil: Tree roots are like an anchor. Without forests, soil is easily washed away or blown away, which negatively affects vegetation. Scientists estimate that a third of the world's arable land has been lost to deforestation since 1960. Crops such as coffee, soybeans and palm trees are being planted in place of former forests. Planting these species leads to further soil erosion due to the small root systems of these crops. The situation with Haiti is clear and Dominican Republic. Both countries share the same island, but Haiti has much less forest cover. As a result, Haiti is experiencing problems such as soil erosion, floods and landslides.
Anti-deforestation
Many people believe that more trees need to be planted to solve the problem. Planting can mitigate the damage caused by deforestation, but it will not completely solve the situation.
In addition to reforestation, other tactics are being used. This is humanity's transition to a plant-based diet, which will reduce the need for land that is cleared for livestock farming.
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