Problems of deforestation and conservation measures | Biogeography | Principle Of Geography

 

Biogeography

Principle Of Geography

Geography Complete Study Material

(Paper - I)

Problems of Deforestation and Conservation measures

Deforestation

            Humans have altered the ecosystems according to their own needs without thinking about the consequences. Their need combined with greed have caused much damage to the environment, which will affect the coming generations. The expansion of agriculture, urbanization and industrialization needed the land which was obtained by large scale clearing of forests. The deforestation has changed the scenario of developed and developing countries, and has brought out vast changes resulting into a various environmental problems. 

           Deforestation is a very broad term, which consists of cutting of trees including repeated lopping, felling, and removal of forest litter, browsing, grazing and trampling of seedlings. It can also be defined as the removal or damage of vegetation in a forest to the extent that it no longer supports its natural flora and fauna. The rapid rate of deforestation in the tropics is a key driving force in the yearly increase of flood disasters.

        Deforestation refers to the loss of tree cover; land that is permanently converted from forest to non-forest uses such as agricultural pasture, desert, and human settlement. In the beginning of 20th century about 7.0 billion hectares of forests were present over the land of our planet and by 1950 forest covers was reduced to about 4.8 billon. If the present trend continues forests will be reduced to only 2.35 billion ha hectares in 2000A.D. In a FAQ/UNEP study it was found that about 7.3 million hectares of rich tropical forests every year and about 14 hectare of closed forest every minute are lost.

CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION 

         The most common reason for deforestation is cutting of wood for fuel, lumber and paper. Another important cause relates to the clearing of forest land for agriculture, including conversion to crop land and pasture. 

The main causes of deforestation are: 

• agriculture; 
• shifting cultivation;
• demand for firewood; 
• demand of wood for industry and commercial purposes; 
• urbanization and developmental projects; 
• other causes.

CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION 

Deforestation affects both physical and biological components of the environment. 

• Soil erosion and flash flood 
• Climatic change 
• Loss of biodiversity

Conservation Measures

            Conservation is the planned management of natural resources, to retain the balance in nature and retain the diversity. It also includes wise use of natural resources in such a way that the needs of present generation are met and at the same time leaving enough for the future generations. Conservation of biodiversity is important to:-

• prevent the loss of genetic diversity of a species, 

• save a species from becoming extinct, and 

• protect ecosystems damage and degradation. 

CONSERVATION STRATEGIES 

Conservation efforts can be grouped into the following two categories: 

1. In-situ (on-site) conservation includes the protection of plants and animals within their natural habitats or in protected areas. Protected areas are land or sea dedicated to protect and maintain biodiversity. 

2. Ex-situ (off-site) conservation of plants and animals outside their natural habitats. These include botanical gardens, zoo, gene banks, seek bank, tissue culture and cryopreservation.