Deforestation and Habitat Loss

Deforestation destroys trees, which humans depend on for oxygen. It also destroys the habitat of many animals, causing them to go extinct. Some animals go extinct before we even discover them!

Man and environment reciprocal relationship. The relationship between humans and environment has varied from the early periods of human settlement on the earth to the present day. The relationship between environment and human beings has also being varying from place to place at any given period of time. For example, early humans considered the environment to be dominant. They were afraid of lightning and thunder, dense forests, wild animals, vast oceans and large rivers, to name a few. The environment has considerably affected human beings right from his evolution. The environment affects humans in many ways. Population on the earth varies due to variation in the environment. The main factors which affect the distribution of population and human settlement are: 1) Relief of Land The populations in the high mountainous areas, such as the Himalayas in India, Andes in South America, Rocky in North America, etc., have very low settlement level. This is because the relief is rugged here which represents obstacles in the construction of roads, railways and communication. Due to steep slopes, agriculture is done with a great difficulty and industries also could not be established. These places having very less economic activity have less population and hence have small isolated settlements. Whereas the plain areas of the world are most suitable for human settlement. Fertile plains of Ganga in India, Indus in Pakistan, Hwang-Ho in China and plains of Europe have huge population concentration having compact or huge semi-compact type of settlement. 2) Climate Most of the areas of the earth having density less than two persons/sq. km are not favorable for settlement because of their unfavorable climate. Areas of cold climate-North Siberia, North Canada, Alaska etc. have low density of population. Hot and arid regions of -Sahara, Kalahari Desert in Africa, Great Australian Desert etc are not suitable for human settlement. In tropical regions due to heavy rain and temperature, the density of population is very low, example in Amazon basin population density is less than two persons/sq. km. But places with favorable climate and favorable terrain, have dense population and hence have compact settlement. 3) Soils Fertile alluvial soils encourage dense population which in turn gives rise to compact type of settlement. This is so because alluvial soils give rise to agricultural activities. Java Islands of Indonesia has fertile soil of young volcanic material and agriculture is an important activity, hence dense and compact settlements are found here. Whereas in Sumatra, due to infertile soil, the population density is very low. 4) Mineral Deposits Mineral wealth is yet another factor responsible for population distribution and density. The presence of coal and iron-ore in different parts of the world has attracted huge population. Coal mining regions have become regions of dense population for example, Jharkhand in India and gold mines in Australian desert. 5) Water supply Population distribution is very much affected by water supply. The earliest settlements or civilizations developed on the banks of major rivers, example-Nile, Indus, etc. Adequate water supply provides irrigation facilities to farmers and hence population increases due to increase in primary activities. In dry regions, population is concentrated in those areas where there is water, hence nucleated- circular settlements are found. Thus it can be said that the environment plays an important role in deciding population distribution, density, settlement type and pattern. The Industrial Revolution which provided mechanical power, invention of steam engine and other machinery, greater use of metals etc gave them opportunities to modify the environment. At the same time agriculture provided abundant food so that they could settle down permanently. The family grew in size and people migrated to different parts, via rail, road and sea, because of improvement in transport system, example the new lands in America and Australia were settled by people from Europe. Another development which enabled humans to survive was the use of preventive and cumulative steps taken to protect them from epidemics and diseases-it increased the span of human life and reduced death rate. With increase in the knowledge and skill and development of human economy there was a gradual increase in carbon dioxide content. It is estimated that carbon dioxide content has increased by 25% in last 100yrs and the global temperatures have risen between 0.3 degree Celsius to 0.7 degree Celsius. Increase in carbon dioxide is attributed to large scale deforestation and will lead to increase in sea level causing submergence of coastal regions. Burning of coal, oil and petroleum adds sulphur dioxide to the atmosphere. Lead, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are added to the atmosphere from automobile exhaust. These gases result in acid rain which affects aquatic life, example acid rain in industrial regions of Europe and North America. Even now substances which were not present previously, are introduced into the air, water and soils. The most dangerous one is radioactive substance spewed into the atmosphere by nuclear explosions. They have adverse effects on organisms including man and cause death, impairment of limbs, diseases and psychological disorders. The catastrophe of nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in Ukraine (1988) is a burning example of adverse environmental effects of use of minerals like uranium, thorium etc. through most advanced and sophisticated technology. The environment has already been degraded to such an extent in certain areas that people are forced to migrate. They are facing scarcity of resources like food and energy. Man's impact on environment has resulted in pollution of environment which not only affects air, water and land but also organisms of biosphere. The main points summing up the impact of man on environment are: Air pollution-burning of fossil fuels in large quantities from jet aircraft, CFCs used in aerosol spray cans, refrigerators and farm blowing are responsible for depletion of ozone to 3-4% in last 100 years. Water pollution-leakage of petroleum from huge ships and oil tankers into the sea, causes oil slicks which spread rapidly over water and spell disaster to marine life and to human depending on marine resources. The leakage of 100000tons of crude oil near Spanish coast in 1976, leakage of crude oil off Alaskan coast in 1989 are a few examples of the many such incidents which tell the impact of negligence and failure of technology on environment. The most widespread source of water pollution is disposal of sewage of urban centers into rivers. The Ganga and Yamuna are polluted in this way and the same rivers provide domestic water supply as well. Ocean waters are polluted by discharge of sewage from cities located along the coast. Land degradation-dumping of solid waste from urban centers and waste materials from mining centers renders the land unsuitable for any use. Surface run-off from such areas pollutes streams and ground water seepage. Saline encrustation of irrigated lands is another example of land degradation. In the semi-arid region, wind action causes deposition of sand on a large scale over cultivated land rendering them unfit for cultivation. This marks the beginning of the process of desertification. Depletion of resources-population growth in the recent past has resulted in rapid depletion of all kinds of resources. The most striking example of such resource depletion is the food deficit faced by about 100 countries of the world. Forest and soil resources are getting depleted at a fast rate owing to population pressure. Tropical forests are depleting at a rate of 2% per annum. It is estimated that the world is losing 7% of top soil per decade. Depletion of resources is most significant in respect of non renewable mineral and power resources. The world is facing energy crisis as existing oil resources may last for a few decades. Though coal reserves are adequate for a few centuries but it cannot replace oil, especially for transport. Humans have come to realize that their economic activities are threatening their survival on earth. Their survival depends on their realization that they have to live in harmony with the various elements of environment which are interconnected. An understanding of the components and processes which take place in environment, the relationship between biotic and abiotic components, and the assessment of resources with reference to need of people in a region is essential for their survival.

A population's carrying capacity is the amount of organisms a certain environment can sustain. If the number of organisms exceeds carrying capacity the resources in the environment will be depleted resulting in a carrying capacity drop followed by a drop in the population of organisms.

The Amerindians live in the rainforest so when workers cut down the trees that they need to live, they are losing their habitat and could die. The trees have no way of growing back because the workers but the land and sell it to cattle ranchers so trees and plants can never grow back.

The scope of political ecology can sometimes be represented as a scale from left to right. On the lefthand scale are the Liberal individuals, and on the righthand side are the Conservatives. Moderates are individuals that fall somewhere in the middle.

Replant all the kinds of trees, bushes and ground covers that occurred there before, if possible in roughly the same proportions that existed before.

streams get muddy,

birdsloose nests because ofthe trees getting cut down,

we cut down trees for no reason,

plants and animals species die

and animals are scared away

It only takes one tree to make a pack of paper. This is because there is a lot of wood in one tree cut down for this purpose.

While tourism is generally regarded as a good thing for the economy of whatever country that tourists visit, since they do spend money, it is also true that tourists have an environmental impact, and may cause damage to the scenic sites that they visit. Some people drop chewing gum or cigarette buts wherever they go. And in some countries such as Egypt, tourists have often been the targets of terrorists.

selective cutting

Well, it is good because it helps make houses and stuff. But it is bad because it ruins animal's homes and stuff. It is a bit of a weird question.

Yeah well, it depends on which rainforest/area which is being cut down. For example, if you are looking at the brazilean rainforest you need to look at the brazilean government ( who will probably say something like the rainforest covers 40% of our land and is full of resources) and then you have to look at the Indios, an indigenous tribe who will probably say something like we've lived here for centuries and the deforestation is destroying our way of lifeand our traditions. Then you have to think about independent companies (like triple velvet) who use sustainably souoced wood for their products and replace the trees they use. Then there is the money grabbing idiots (you cant call them that though) who will take take take and destroy the forest to get what they need for the money. This will include burning the forest for land, or to get their machines through to dig huge holes to mine. Its not a weird question. the only reason im answering it is because im doing a project on it myself and if i know it, why not share it.

Paper plates were invented mostly because it's handy. On picnics, on the go, and traveling, nobody has the space, protection, and time for china plates to be carried around. Plus if you're sick or feeling off and you use paper containers for your meal, you only have silverware and maybe a cup to wash; throw the napkin and plate away and say good riddance!

It is bad because what is the use of paper when there won't be oxygen to live we can't change the paper back into trees can we. If we cut trees and make paper pollution will become more. Less rainfall and Less oxygen

Thanks

Gaurang

The incident at a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Russia.

houses, farms,or gardens

An acre of trees are being cut down almost ever 3 seconds.

2 percent of the earths surface is covered with the rainforest.

Forest is a habitat for animals such as: tigers, elephants and deers (etc). It is also a place with lots of trees and plants. Forests are very important too, because it provide us wood from its trees and medical herbs from its plants.

i have 0 trusts because i am still new but i know alot about things.

so trust me. ;-)

None...redwood is used for everything but paper...gum trees are used for making paper. I saw this on the History or Discovery channel show recently.

Neem is something that is used medicinally. Almost all parts of the tree can be used, including the roots, leaves, flowers, and fruit.

deforestation ;)

Because there are many species of life that have been here for millions of years. The planet did not do anything to deserve this kind of destuction. Humans must learn their place, and sustain quietly as the earth tries to replentish.

Deforestation affects Hawaii the same way it affects the rest of the world. Animals are displaced from their homes and many face extinction because their habitat is being destroyed.

i think wood is a renwable soucre if you plant another tree after i