Tag: damaging the forests

When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. A decrease in the species diversity progresses to extinction if left uncontrolled. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as large body size, small population, massive habitat loss and position at a higher trophic level favor extinction. As forests are the main habitat for the wild animals, their loss favors the extinction of the same.

When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as large body size, habitat loss, small population and position at a higher trophic level favor extinction. Since the species residing in the tropics have their major habitat in the form of forests, thus deforestation causes, extinction of such species.

Since deforestation means cutting down of trees. So, it will result in desertification of an area, global warming because of increase in CO$ _2$ in the environment since plants are not available to fix it by photosynthesis, and can cause drought because of imbalance in water cycle of an area. But, deforestation will never cause forest fires because the forests are not available to catch the fire as they are being cut down in case of deforestation.

An endangered species is the species whose population faces a sudden downfall. In the case of wild animals, their habitat is the forest and deforestation of the forests due to ecological disasters, or use of timber for the construction of buildings makes them insecure in their homestead. 

Loss of vegetation (deforestation) results in an increased risk of flooding. With natural forest cover, the flood duration should decrease. Reducing the rate of deforestation should improve the incidents and severity of floods. Reforestation and afforestation are two strategies to increase the vegetation cover, that can improve infiltration and interception rates, and thus regulate flood peaks. Reforestation refers to planting trees in areas, where they have been cut down, while afforestation means planting trees, where they have never existed. Dams and reservoirs are effective in controlling floods by reducing peak flows. 

Deforestation is the destruction of forest which causes loss of habitat and other problem like