5.1. Deforestation and Its Causes

A great variety of plants and animals exist on earth. They are essential for the well-being and survival of mankind. Today, a major threat to survival of these organisms is deforestation. We know that deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.

Deforestation refers to the process of clearing forests, which are vital ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal life. By removing these forests, we not only lose habitats for many species but also threaten our own survival, as we rely on these ecosystems for clean air, water, and other resources.

Imagine a large library filled with books that hold valuable knowledge. If we start removing books from the library, we not only lose stories and information but also the entire structure that houses them. Similarly, deforestation takes away the homes of countless species and the environment we depend on.

Trees in the forest are cut for some of the purposes mentioned below:

• Procuring land for cultivation.
• Building houses and factories.
• Making furniture or using wood as fuel.

There are various reasons why trees are cut down. One primary reason is to create land for agriculture to grow food. Additionally, forests are cleared to build residential and commercial buildings. Lastly, wood is often harvested for making furniture and as a source of fuel for heating and cooking. Each of these activities takes away a part of the forest and contributes to the problem of deforestation.

Think about a neighborhood park where kids play and animals find shelter. If a developer comes in to build new homes, the park is destroyed, and all the children and animals have to find new places. This is exactly what happens when we cut down forests for farming, building, or fuel.

Deforestation reduces rainfall and leads to floods. Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth.

Deforestation affects weather patterns and can cause irregularities in rainfall. Without sufficient trees absorbing carbon dioxide, this gas accumulates in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Higher temperatures can disturb rainfall patterns, causing some areas to experience droughts while others may face flooding due to rapid runoff from cleared land.

Consider a sponge. If you keep a sponge full of water, it can gradually release that water when needed (like trees releasing moisture into the air). But if the sponge is removed, water cannot be absorbed, leading to floods. This is how deforestation disrupts the natural water cycle.

Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Fewer trees result in more soil erosion. Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil has less humus and is less fertile. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification.

When trees are removed, the protective cover they provide to the soil is lost. This leads to increased erosion, where the topsoil—which is rich in nutrients—is washed away. Over time, areas that were once fertile can become barren and unproductive, a process known as desertification, where the land turns into desert-like conditions.

Imagine a sandcastle on the beach. If you keep pouring water on it, it stays intact and holds its shape. But if the water is withdrawn, the sand collapses and erodes away. This is akin to what happens to soil without trees; it erodes and loses its nutrients.

Deforestation leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground (infiltration rate) is reduced. So, there are floods. The other properties of the soil like nutrient content, texture etc., also change because of deforestation.

Without trees to intercept rain and promote water infiltration into the ground, the soil struggles to retain moisture. This can result in surface runoff, leading to floods. Additionally, the overall quality of the soil degrades over time, impacting its ability to support plant growth.

Think of a sponge again. When you sprinkle water over a sponge, it absorbs much of it, holding moisture. If there's no sponge, the water just flows away and can cause puddles. This is similar to what happens in deforested areas.

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