Prital Prabhu and Gwen Sminkey

Allen-Stine
Dystopian Elements Research Paper
December 22nd, 2016

Deforestation
Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests to use the land for
other reasons. Deforestation is caused by humans developing and expanding
upon the land in order to advance their societies. The consequences of cutting
down the forests are the depletion of earth's oxygen and wood supply, and also
the destruction of habitats and the increase of risk for health and natural
disasters. More greenhouse gases are released into the earth's atmosphere, and
the air is dryer. Deforestation has affected the earth for thousands of years, has a
big impact on todays economy and natural habitats, and will continue to affect
humanity in the future by diminishing the amount of natural resources available.
Earth has been affected by deforestation for thousands of years (Effects of
Deforestation). Over half of the worlds forests have been destroyed in the past
ten-thousand years (Deforestation Effects). About half of North America was
deforested in the 1800s, most of it having been deforested by European
colonists in the 1600s (Pimm). Deforestation only became the epidemic that it is
after the onset of the modern era (Effects of Deforestation), meaning that most of
it has happened in the past fifty years (Deforestation Effects). One of the most
important inventions that has helped to increase the rise of deforestation is the

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Power Saw (Williams). This tool makes it easier to cut down trees and requires
little knowledge to operate, meaning that almost anyone can do it. Because of
this, deforestation has increased, causing events like natural disasters to occur.
One example is the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Vegetation was growing in plains
that had been deforested, so there was nothing to hold the soil down. When the
winds picked up they blew the loose soil everywhere, creating a terrible disaster
that killed many people (Deforestation Effects).
Deforestation occurs all around the world, but tropical rainforests are
targeted the most. Countries like Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, and some parts of
Africa have gone through significant deforestation (Bradford), but the majority of
deforestation in the world is happening in the Amazon Rainforest (Effects of
Deforestation). Five to nine million square kilometers of tropical woodland and
humid tropical forests have been cleared for grazing. About 400,000 square
kilometers of that deforested tropical land is on steep mountain hillsides,
meaning that it cannot grow back (Pimm). 20% of the earth's oxygen comes from
tropical rainforests in South America. Due to deforestation, they are disappearing
at four hectares a decade (Effects of Deforestation). Forest areas the size of
Panama are lost every year (Deforestation Facts). Also, dry forests are targeted,
because they are easier to deforest than moist forests. By turning a wetter, more
closed forest into a drier, more open one, selective logging makes a forest area
more flammable. Forests have been removed for many reasons, including
clearing land, making paper and wood products, and creating room for farming

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and livestock ranching, but they are mostly cut down for money-related reasons
and people's need to provide for their families (Deforestation Facts). Agriculture
is the main reason for human deforestation, as they want to clear land for farming
and growing crops (Deforestation Facts). 80% of all deforestation is caused by
cattle ranching and small-scale agriculture (Effects of Deforestation). Two million
square kilometers of forest have been cleared for grazing lands in North America
and Europe (Pimm). Apart from human deforestation, variables like drought,
forest fires, storms, insects, diseases, and overgrazing also affect the amount of
trees. However, human deforestation is the main and most dangerous cause
(Deforestation Effects).
Deforestation will continue to affect humanity in the future by limiting the
amount of natural resources available and releasing harmful gases into the
atmosphere. Trees absorb greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide. 1.5 billion
tons of carbon dioxide are released every year because of deforestation (Effects
of Deforestation). With gases like these being reintroduced into the atmosphere,
global warming will accelerate. Trees also help the earth by contributing to vital
things like the water system. They return water vapor into the atmosphere. Vapor
flows have decreased by 4 percent as a result of deforestation (Bradford).
Without trees to contribute to the water cycle, water patterns can change and
many areas will become dry and barren deserts (Effects of Deforestation). Trees
also prevent polluted runoff from flowing into water sources like streams. Without
trees, water will be more polluted, endangering the life of humans and animals

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(Bradford). Animal and plant life is already being endangered by deforestation.
About 70% of earths known species live in rainforests like the Amazon.
Scientists predict that earths rainforests could disappear in one-hundred years.
If this happens a lot of the species that live in rainforests will go extinct due to the
loss of their natural habitat. Deforestation can cause many other harmful things.
These include soil erosion, coastal flooding, fewer crops, climate change,
increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and problems for indigenous
people (Effects of Deforestation).
In conclusion, deforestation is a major problem that threatens the future of
the earth. It has affected the world in the past, is a big problem in the present,
and will continue to harm Earth in the future. We can try to fix the problems
caused by deforestation, but replanting trees won't solve all of the problems
created by deforestation. Trees can't remove all of the carbon dioxide that was
placed in the air, and can't bring back the species that have gone extinct because
of animal loss. However, it is a start, and will improve the environment. Roughly
half of the deforested areas are somewhat reforested, but these new forests don't
function in the same ways, provide the same biodiversity, or have the benefits
that old-growth forests do. To fully bring back the life of our forests and trees, we
will have to find more innovative ways to conserve our forests.

Works Cited

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Bradford, Alina. "Deforestation: Facts, Causes, and Effects." livescience.com.
LifeScience, 4 March 2016. Web. 8 December 2016.
"Deforestation Effects, Causes, and Examples." scienceheathen.com.
WordPress, 2012. Web. 12 December 2016.
Deforestation Facts, Deforestation Information, Effects of Deforestation National Geographic. National Geographic. National Geographic
Partners, LLC, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2016
"Effects of Deforestation" Pachamama Alliance. Pachamama Alliance, n.d. Web.
09 Dec. 2016.
Pimm, Stuart L. "Deforestation." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, 13 May 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
Williams, Michael. "The History of Deforestation." questia.com. Cengage
Learning, 2016. Web. 12 December 2016.