Whoever made that poem on trees knew very well the essence of these God-given creatures. Tree is life, and this is a globally accepted truth. Once deforestation occurs, the dreadful effects are out to get lives. This is a disturbing thought but the effects of deforestation do not occur on trees only but on us, humans, too.
Trees were given to mankind as a resource. It, the tree, is there for several purposes. It could be to provide man his most basic and most important need - food; it could also be a source for his many other needs such as shelter, medicine and clothing; trees also help make the soil become more compact (a compact soil is a prevention against erosion). Seeing all these needs, do you now see the need for mankind to fight deforestation?
Originally, deforestation was simply converting a part of a forest into agricultural patch of land. There are many historical records of deforestation where even the earliest civilizations of man already contributed to the loss of trees in the forests. Nowadays, deforestation is a result of human's want for more industrial or residential land area. As the need for more houses arise and as the ever-growing industries increase, more and more trees are uprooted, taken down or simply burned, just to accommodate the need for more land. And this is highly devastating, not just to humans but also for other species and the environment.
Other simple forms of deforestation are illegal logging, even excessive commercial logging and clear cutting. These moneymaking acts are rampant and the greedy businessmen tend to put financial matters atop their priorities. Though these acts have lesser effects when compared to the massive forest denudation due to want of land, still, they have effects that could last generations to come.
Dry forests are more at risk of deforestation as compared to tropical rainforests. More and more dry lands are being converted to urban areas and industrial sites. As this misfortune occurs, the effects begin to show. The immediate effect is seen in the forest itself. Soil begins to erode and water washes it off to the shores and on to the bodies of water beyond the forests. With the loss of trees comes the loss of many animal species. For most birds, sanctuary is the tree and in its loss, these birds suddenly become homeless. With the gradual loss of species, the balance of nature is tipped and that is where disaster threatens to come about.
The act of burning a portion of the forest to convert it into a landmass of vegetation is still being practiced. In fact, it goes side by side with urbanization and industrialization when it comes to denudation. The sad thing about this is, they sometimes need the land for just a short period of time. And with this short period of need, trees that took years to grow are constantly being destroyed. Man's greed for small profit reaps nothing but the aweful effects that we see each day on news headlines.
And what are these headline-making effects of denudation? Heard of the greenhouse effect? This is just one of them. Trees are naturally there to clean up the air of carbon in carbon dioxide form and replace it with oxygen. With lesser trees as an effect of deforestation, more carbon is released into the earth’s atmosphere. Another terrible disaster that could happen when forests are denuded is landslide. Many lives all over the globe have been taken because of this natural calamity.
As numerous as the effects of deforestation are, not just on trees, there are also numerous ways that you can help save the remaining forests on the planet today:
1. Use only recycled paper, recycled paper bags (but do not use plastic bags just so you could help save the forest. Plastics are hazards to the environment), recycled toilet paper. The keyword there is to recycle. When more people change to recycling rather than cutting down trees, then more trees will be allowed to live for a longer number of years.
2. Plant trees (in your yard if you can!). You already know the effects of a single tree's loss.
3. Last, if you can sign up for an environmental awareness organization, do so. This will greatly improve your view when it comes to the importance of keeping the forests. In addition to that, these groups would let you know what you can do to avoid further deforestation.
The overwhelming effects of forest deforestation on trees and on mankind are here to stay, and they will for a few years more if you don't lift a finger to help the ailing planet. You could make a difference. Start small but dream big. All efforts, no matter how small, could counter the effects of this enemy called deforestation.
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