Deforestation is an complex problem. ... While deforestation in other parts of the world is mainly caused by commercial logging or cattle ranching the leading causes in Africa are associated with human activity . Developing countries rely heavily on wood fuel, the major energy source for cooking and heating.
What are the causes and effects of deforestation?
The extinction of the forest cover affects the biodiversity which in turn threaten peoples lives. Shrinking of the forests cause wide-reaching problems like soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, water cycle disruption, greenhouse gas emissions, changes in the climatic conditions , and loss of biodiversity.
What are three causes of deforestation in Africa?
What are the key drivers for forest loss across Africa? Deforestation is directly being caused by activities such as illegal logging, agricultural development, mining and infrastructure projects – but there are reasons behind these activities which are often overlooked.
What is the biggest cause of deforestation in Africa?
The conversion of forest land to agriculture, both subsistence and commercial , is by far the most common and most destructive cause of deforestation in Africa and other tropical regions.
What are the effects of deforestation in Africa?
The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion , fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people.
What are the 10 causes of deforestation?
- Agricultural Activities. As earlier mentioned in the overview, agricultural activities are one of the significant factors affecting deforestation. ...
- Livestock Ranching. ...
- Illegal Logging. ...
- Urbanization. ...
- Desertification of Land. ...
- Mining. ...
- Forest Fires. ...
- Paper.
What are the five main causes of deforestation?
The most common pressures causing deforestation and severe forest degradation are agriculture, unsustainable forest management, mining, infrastructure projects and increased fire incidence and intensity .
What are the effects of deforestation Class 7?
Loss of nutrients in the soil that are derived from breakdown of tree leaves. Increased soil erosion by wind and rain . Increased flooding due to a lack of water absorption by trees. Decreased ability to support other plants due to nutrient loss.
What are the causes and ill effects of deforestation write an essay?
Deforestation has so many negative consequences on the environment. ... Another direct consequence of deforestation is Increased soil erosion , this can also lead to unnatural floods and droughts. Clearing forests can disrupt the normal water flow thus causing abnormal floods and droughts.
What are the effects of deforestation on humans?
Over the past two decades, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that deforestation, by triggering a complex cascade of events, creates the conditions for a range of deadly pathogens —such as Nipah and Lassa viruses, and the parasites that cause malaria and Lyme disease—to spread to people.
What is the main cause of desertification in Africa?
‘ Climatic variations’ and ‘Human activities’ can be regarded as the two main causes of desertification. removal of the natural vegetation cover(by taking too much fuel wood), agricultural activities in the vulnerable ecosystems of arid and semi-arid areas, which are thus strained beyond their capacity.
Which African country is losing its rainforest the fastest?
Published May 1, 2019 This article is more than 2 years old. Ghana’s rainforest is being lost at an alarming rate, according to a new report about the state of forests worldwide.
What are the causes of illegal logging in Africa?
contributor, much of the illegal logging is mainly due to demand for local firewood , rather than by organised criminal gangs for export. Illegal logging scores only 4/10 in the OC Index for Zimbabwe.
What are people doing to stop deforestation in Africa?
Some of the proposed solutions include regulating the logging industry , developing forest protection schemes, and addressing human activities that promote deforestation.
What percentage of Africa is forest?
According to the U.N. FAO, 22.7% or about 674,419,000 ha of Africa is forested, according to FAO.
Why is water an issue in Africa?
Introduction. Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from chronically overburdened water systems under increasing stress from fast-growing urban areas . Weak governments, corruption, mismanagement of resources, poor long-term investment, and a lack of environmental research and urban infrastructure only exacerbate the problem.
