The Impacts of Deforestation in the Tropical Rainforest

The Impacts of Deforestation in the Tropical Rainforest

Deforestation is having an effect on all tropical rainforests. This is

not just negative effects but also some very positive effects from the

deforestation of the rainforests. From deforestation there are many

problems that can be caused by this, environmental, social, economic

and political issues all from the destruction of the rainforests

across the world. There has been dramatic deforestation across the

world for some time now and many of the Earths natural forests have

been cleared or degraded so that they can be used for other purposes.

Tropical forests are being destroyed at an ever-increasing rate.

Estimates of the extent and rate of loss vary, but it appears that

nearly half of the world's tropical forests already have been lost,

and the remainder will all but disappear in the next two to three

decades. The loss is incalculable. These forests provide habitat for

an estimated half of the world's plant and animal species, provide

water and fuel for much of the world's population, and influence

regional and global climate. Commercial logging, clearance for

agriculture, ranching, and fuel gathering are all responsible for the

destruction. Solutions include the development of alternative fuel

wood supplies through fuel wood plantations, the regulation of

logging, and a consensus as to the value of forest conservation over

commercial development.

When trees are removed, particularly from mountainous areas, topsoil

is exposed and may be washed away by rain. The resulting erosion can

clog streams with silt, harm fish populations and degrade water

quality. The use of terrac...

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... the country. Many of the

LEDCs have huge debts to other countries and by tearing down the

rainforest gives the government money from the exports of the timber

and also money from possible tourism that may occur from the

‘development’ of the rainforest.

It is impossible to stop deforestation in the foreseeable future, but

there are many opportunities for bringing it under control and

minimising its negative impacts. Residual forests can be preserved,

logged areas replanted and new laws can be introduced to limit the

amount of land that can be deforested each year. People can also

explore the use of alternative materials and recycled materials. The

situation of deforestation is in a realistic sense will never be fully

be resolved as by the time that anything will go into practice there

will be no rainforests left.