The Benefits Of Deforestation

Deforestation is the cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. I disagree to a large extent to the statement, “The benefits of deforestation far outweigh its impacts.”. Even though deforestation gives us some advantages, the impact of deforestation on a global scale far outweighs the benefits. Looking from a bigger picture, deforestation has affected the world and brought lots of disadvantages, economically, environmentally and socially.

Deforestation leads to soil erosion and an increased frequency of floods and droughts. When trees are removed, there will be lesser tree roots to hold onto the soil and lesser rain will be intercepted by the different forest layers before hitting the ground. As estimated 62 percent

Thus, when forests are removed, it is less likely to rain. There will also be lesser trees to facilitate more water to infiltrate the ground and funnel water into underground aquifers where it is stored to supply during droughts. Hence, deforestation has resulted in flash flood during heavy rainfall, and without the roots holding the soil, it will eventually lead to soil erosion. Furthermore, the soil will be washed away into rivers when there is heavy rainfall, causing river carrying capacity to be reduced and thus, increasing the risk of floods. Both droughts and floods carry severe consequences as eroding topsoil, flooding rice fields and filling in irrigation canals will constrain food production. It would also cause more money being pumped in to recover from the losses of building infrastructure etc.For example, in 1979, a flood caused India to suffer $2

Tropical rainforests are home to millions of native people who make their living through subsistence agriculture, hunting and gathering, or through low-impact harvesting of forest products like rubber or nuts. For example, the Guarani tribe had been living in Amazon Rainforest since around 500 years ago. Waves of deforestation have converted the once-fertile Guarani homeland into a vast network of cattle ranches, and sugar cane plantations for Brazil’s biofuels market. The destruction of the forest has also meant that hunting and fishing are no longer possible. Hence, with deforestation, the indigenous tribes have faced the arduous challenge of losing their homes and way of life with hunting and gathering. The removal of trees affect people’s daily lives, villagers cannot live like before and are forced to adapt in a new environment. Just because of the wants of others, the villagers lose their homes and are affected very