Deforestation involves the clearing of natural forests through logging and burning, either to use the timber or replace the land for other uses like farming, ranching, or urban development. Since the industrial age, about half of the world's original forests have been destroyed. Deforestation occurs for timber, wood, fuel, farming land, grazing land, mining, and human settlement. It causes soil erosion, disrupts water cycles, contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon, reduces biodiversity by destroying habitats, and lowers air and water quality. Proper control of deforestation is needed to replant trees and reduce rapid clearing and fires.

1. Deforestation

2. What is deforestation?
 Deforestation is the process
whereby natural forests are
cleared through logging
and/or burning, either to use
the timber or to replace the
area for alternative uses.
 These include clearing for
farming purposes, ranching
and urban use. In these
cases, trees are never re-planted.

3. Cont…
 Since the industrial age, about half of world's
original forests have been destroyed and millions
of animals and living things have been
endangered.
 Despite the improvements in education,
information and general awareness of the
importance of forests, deforestation has not
reduced much, and there are still many more
communities and individuals who still destroy
forest lands for personal gains.

4. Why do humans clear forest lands?
 Trees are cut down (deforestation) for many
reasons including
 To be used, sold or exported as timber, wood or
fuel (charcoal). This is called logging.
 To be used for farming purposes (grazing fields
for livestock, or large scale farming activities)
 To make room for human settlement and
urbanization (these include making space for
shelter, industries and roads)
 To make room for mining.

5. Effects of deforestation
 Soil erosion destruction:
Soils (and the nutrients in them) are
exposed to the sun’s heat. Soil moisture is
dried up, nutrients evaporate and bacteria
that help break down organic matter are
affected. Eventually, rain washes down the
soil surfaces and erosion takes place. Soils
never get their full potential back.

7.  WWaatteerr CCyyccllee::
When forests are destroyed, the atmosphere,
water bodies and the water table are all affected.
Trees absorb and retain water in their roots. A large
part of the water that circulates in the ecosystem of
rainforests remains inside the plants. Some of this
moisture is transpired into the atmosphere. When this
process is broken, the atmosphere and water bodies
begin to dry out. The watershed potential is
compromised and less water will run through the
rivers. Smaller lakes and streams that take water
from these larger water bodies dry up.

9.  Climate Change:
Plants absorb Carbon Dioxide CO2 (a
greenhouse gas) from the atmosphere and uses
it to produce food (carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins that make up trees). In return, it gives off
Oxygen. Destroying the forests mean CO2 will
remain in the atmosphere and in addition,
destroyed vegetation will give off more CO2
stored in them as they decompose. This will alter
the climate of that region. Cool climates may get
a lot hotter and hot places may get a lot cooler.

10.  Loss of Biodiversity:
Many wonderful species of plants and
animals have been lost, and many others remain
endangered. More than 80% of the world's
species remain in the Tropical Rainforest. It is
estimated that about 50 to 100 species of animals
are being lost each day as a result of destruction
of their habitats, and that is a tragedy. Many
beautiful creatures, both plants and animals have
vanished from the face of the earth.

12.  Carbon Emissions:
 Healthy
forests help absorb
greenhouse gasses and
carbon emissions that are
caused by human
civilization and contribute
to global climate change.

13. Without trees, more carbon and greenhouse
gasses enter the atmosphere. To make matters
worse, trees actually become carbon sources
when they are cut, burned, or otherwise removed.
“Tropical forests hold more than 210 gigatons of
carbon, and deforestation represents around 15
percent of greenhouse gas emissions,” according
to the WWF.

14.  Life Quality:
 Soil erosion can also lead to silt
entering the lakes, streams, and other
water sources.
 This can decrease local water
quality, contributing to poor health in the
local population.

15. Cont…
 All of these factors can have adverse effects on
local economies.
 Increased flooding, lack of quality water, and
inability to produce their own food causes many
locals migrate to cities that lack infrastructure for
them.
 Or, they work on plantations, worsening the
deforestation problem and at times being
subjected to inhumane working conditions.

16. Control of Deforstation
1. We should not cut trees rapidly.
2. We should use trees in smaller quantity.
3. Whenever we cut a tree , we should plant
a new tree to make the nature in balance.
4. The government of a state should ensure
that there should be less and less forest
fires and the people living near the area
should be careful.