Cases of extinction have become noticeable in recent time, owing to the detailed account of some of the consequences of deforestation in the rural area which as a result of the process turn out to be bland urbans to which both young and old now flood. The many dangers of deforestation are not to be hidden anymore. This in itself has become the bane of healthy and sustainable living to humankind, apart from the little calculated advantages.
The barefaced removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use is identified as deforestation. Although it occurs for many reasons: trees are cut down to be used or sold as fuel (sometimes in the form of charcoal) or timber, while cleared land is used as pasture for livestock, plantations of commodities and settlements.
There are several reasons for this bane. Some of them are subsistence farming which is responsible for 48% of deforestation, while commercial agriculture is responsible for 32% of deforestation; then logging is responsible for 14% of deforestation and fuel wood removals make up 5% of deforestation.
However, the removal of trees without sufficient reforestation has resulted in damage to habitat, biodiversity loss and aridity. It has adverse impacts on biosequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Consequences of Deforestation in the Rural Area
Here are the list of the consequences of deforestation in the rural area which you are expected to look out for or rather be aware of, as this knowledge may help you understand there are more dangers than you think of the minimal benefits.
Affected Water Cycle
The water cycle is also affected by deforestation. Trees extract groundwater through their roots and release it into the atmosphere. When part of a forest is removed, the trees no longer transpire this water, resulting in a much drier climate. Deforestation reduces the content of water in the soil and groundwater as well as atmospheric moisture.
The dry soil leads to lower water intake for the trees to extract. Deforestation reduces soil cohesion, so that erosion, flooding and landslides ensue.
Loss of Habitat
One of the most dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation is the loss of animal and plant species due to their loss of habitat. 70% of land animals and plant species live in forests. Not only does deforestation threaten species known to us, but also those unknown.
The trees of the rainforest that provide shelter for some species also provide the canopy that regulates the temperature. Deforestation results in a more drastic temperature variation from day to night, much like a desert, which could prove fatal for many inhabitants.
Global Warming
Deforestation is a contributor to global warming, and is often cited as one of the major causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect. Tropical deforestation is responsible for approximately 20% of world greenhouse gas emissions. In deforested areas, the land heats up faster and reaches a higher temperature, leading to localized upward motions that enhance the formation of clouds and ultimately produce more rainfall.
Famine and Hunger
Many Indigenous communities depend on what the forest has to offer for food, medicine, building materials, and cultural resources. Because many of these communities are located in remote areas in dense forests, the loss of these resources poses many challenges to their health and wellbeing.
Soil Erosion and Flooding
Further effects of deforestation include soil erosion and coastal flooding. Trees help the land to retain water and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life.
Infringement on Rights of the People
Frontline communities have little say in how their local environment is altered by governments and corporations. At the same time, these communities face the most immediate and threatening impacts of environmental degradation and climate change.
The governments of nations with rainforests within their borders often attempt to evict Indigenous tribes before the deforestation begins. This undermines the sovereignty of these Indigenous groups, especially when governments fail to seek their consultation and consent before starting any projects.
