Our planet’s ecosystem primarily depends on forests that give life and are vital in sustaining the ecological balance the ecosystem requires. The collection of trees benefits the ecosystem by offering products, goods, and services as a habitat for wildlife and birds. Additionally, the forests are essential to countless species’ lives, including people, since they purify our air and act as water catchment areas. Usman and Makhdum (2021) state that forests are significant in the ecosystem for bringing balance, habitats, and food sources for wildlife and people but also confiscate harmful atmospheric gases. The forests combat climate change through mitigation, and despite its benefits, they face unprecedented challenges, such as deforestation. The essay explores deforestation and whether we are doing enough to protect our valuable forests.
The large-scale removal of trees is often called deforestation, the biggest threat to forests and the ecosystem. Cutting trees on a large scale is driven by socio-economic activities, logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. Deforestation has negative implications such as climate change, soil erosion, loss of habitat and water catchment areas, and sometimes desertification. The large-scale harvesting of trees causes an imbalance in the ecosystem. It causes biodiversity loss and the extinction of animals, plants, and birds that heavily depend on the forests. Benton et al. (2021) argue that deforestation leads to desertification and biodiversity loss, causing ecosystem erosion. Still, deforestation threatens forests and neighboring communities that depend on the forests for a livelihood; hence, it results in social and economic instability when economic activities take over the land.
Nonetheless, people and organizations across the globe are combating deforestation to protect valuable forests. The strategies employed in preserving the forests include sustainable logging practices, reforestation initiatives, and protecting forests from loggers and investors using protected areas to safeguard the ecosystem. The activities individuals and organizations engage in might not be enough, but it’s a step to protect valuable forests through funding and enforcement of policies. This includes reforestation, which involves planting trees in deforested areas, while sustainable logging practices balance the conservation of forests and economic interests. Cherchyk et al. (2019) state that sustainable forestry preserves the forest ecosystem, creates economic interest balance, and eliminates deforestation. Therefore, global cooperation will be significant in protecting forests and preserving biodiversity.
Furthermore, strategies taken might not be enough, but they result in forest protection through recognition of the advantages of forests. This includes biodiversity conservation and the well-being of communities whose livelihoods depend on the forests. In addition, countries are implementing conservation efforts to protect their forests from destruction by enhancing afforestation and reforestation initiatives in protected areas. Despite these efforts, deforestation is still challenging when illegal logging, land use changes, and socio-economic activities drive it. These activities limit people, organizations, and governments’ progress to protect valuable forests.
In summary, deforestation remains a threat to forests when it limits and results in an imbalance in the ecosystem, climate, and communities. The forests are valuable for water, food, and animal habitat. While there are efforts to protect them, social and economic activities, logging, and agricultural expansion threaten the efforts of conservation, protection, afforestation, and reforestation. Maintaining a healthy ecosystem and biodiversity will require awareness and policies that reinforce forest protection, including international cooperation, collective commitment, and continuous vigilance to ensure the preservation of forests.
References
Benton, T. G., Bieg, C., Harwatt, H., Pudasaini, R., & Wellesley, L. (2021). Food system impacts on biodiversity loss. Three levers for food system transformation in support of nature. Chatham House, London, 02-03.
Cherchyk, L., Korchynska, L., & Babenko, V. (2019). Using model forests as a form of balanced forestry in Ukraine. Forestry studies [Metsanduslikud Uurimused], 71, 69-85.
Usman, M., & Makhdum, M. S. A. (2021). What abates ecological footprint in BRICS-T region? Exploring the influence of renewable energy, non-renewable energy, agriculture, forest area and financial development. Renewable Energy, 179, 12-28.
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