Deforestation Causes

[Mertie Oldow]

Definedby the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as "the conversion of forest to other land use independently of whether human-induced or not," deforestation is a major environmental issue. Since 1990, over 420 million hectares of forest have been deforested. And since 2000, an estimated 47 million hectares of ecologically priceless primary forests were lost.

Look no further than your dinner plate, because between 2000-2018, agriculture was associated with around 90% of global deforestation. While this can mostly be attributed to meat production (particularly beef), large-scale soy and palm oil plantations follow closely behind as causes for deforestation.

A staggering number of trees are cut every year to meet the incredible global demand for wood and wood products. From clear cuts to massive logging roads opening access to previously untouched areas, these deforested areas are much more vulnerable to conversion to other land uses like mining, agriculture, and settlement. And the issue isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

In fact, a 2023 study conducted by World Resources Institute and published in the journal Nature found that a projected 54% increase in global timber harvests to meet growing global demand for wood could produce more than 10% of total global carbon emissions over the next few decades

Thanks to an ever-increasing demand for minerals, mining affects up to 1/3 of global forest ecosystems (including indirect impacts). Mineral extraction has doubled since the turn of the century, increasingly impacting tropical rainforests and protected areas in places like the Amazon and Cerrado.

Overwhelmingly, mining-related deforestation can be attributed to just two commodities: gold and coal. Together, a recent study found that they resulted in approximately 6,877 square km of forest loss over the last two decades. Other minerals that significantly contribute to deforestation include bauxite, iron ore and copper.

And with this urbanization comes even more land use changes to support the needs of growing communities. These include increased sprawl and building construction, waste management for household and industrial waste and sewage, laying of impervious surfaces for roads and highways, development of energy facilities such as power plants and electrical grids, and much more.

Meaghan works to share our story far and wide, manages our blog calendar, coordinates with the team on projects + campaigns, and ensures our brand voice is reflected across channels. With a background in communications and an education in environmental conservation, she is passionate about leveraging her creativity to help the environment!

Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests, which significantly impacts the global carbon cycle and the environment. Forests are critical in regulating the Earth's climate. They store large amounts of carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis and are thus carbon sinks. However, deforestation disrupts the carbon cycle by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and reducing the number of trees that absorb carbon emissions. This effect makes deforestation a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 15% of human-caused emissions.

Deforestation has severe environmental impacts and consequences. Over 420 million hectares of forest have been lost since 1990. The loss of natural habitats and biodiversity has led to a species extinction rate that is 100 to 1,000 times faster than the natural rate. Every second, a forest the size of a football field is cut down, and every year, forested areas equal to the size of Portugal are lost. Clearing forests not only reduces their carbon storage capacity but also increases greenhouse gas emissions due to the reduction of vegetation cover. Deforestation also disrupts water cycles and soil stability, leading to erosion, changes in rainfall patterns, and flooding. Furthermore, deforestation contributes to a loss of ecosystem services and degrades the resources many communities depend on for their livelihoods.

This article will explore several causes of deforestation, including the expansion of agricultural land, urbanisation, and increased demand for resources such as timber. Large-scale agriculture is responsible for more than 70% of deforestation globally. The growing population fuels the demand for agricultural land, leading to the clearing of forests to create space for food production. Urbanisation, industrialisation, and infrastructure development have also contributed significantly to deforestation, as growing cities require more land for housing, factories, and transport systems.

Deforestation is the conversion of forests, through the clearing of trees, to other land uses or the long-term reduction of tree canopy cover to below 10%. Deforestation is often done for commercial or human needs. This removal of forests is a significant contributor to climatic instability and biodiversity loss. Deforestation is therefore one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today.

Deforestation occurs due to both natural and human-induced events. Natural events, such as forest fires, hurricanes, and droughts, can destroy forests. However, human activities are the major cause of deforestation.

Deforestation negatively impacts the environment and human life. One of the primary adverse effects is the loss of biodiversity. Deforestation reduces plant and animal habitats, putting them at risk of extinction. Forest loss also leads to soil erosion, which may result in landslides and the contamination of water sources. Deforestation is also a major contributor to climate change. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. So, when they are cut down through deforestation, the carbon trapped in their biomass is released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that absorbs and radiates heat, causing rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions.

Deforestation is most severe in tropical forests in South and Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, where millions of hectares of forest are destroyed each year. Primary forests, which contain the world's most extensive and oldest trees and provide habitats for rare and endangered species, are among the worst affected.

One of the leading causes of deforestation is the expansion of agricultural land, accounting for more than 70% of deforestation rates. Agricultural practices, such as clearing vast areas of forest for farming, logging, and fuelwood use, are primary activities that contribute significantly to deforestation. Both subsistence farming, where farmers grow crops to feed their families, and commercial agriculture, which produces crops for export or domestic use, are responsible for hundreds to thousands of hectares of forest being taken down.

Subsistence farming is common in many countries, and it is often the only way for millions of people to sustain their families. Farmers in these areas typically clear small plots of land by cutting down trees and burning them. Unfortunately, this practice is usually unsustainable, as farmers are forced to clear a larger land surface when the soil becomes infertile. Commercial agriculture, on the other hand, involves clearing vast areas of forest to make way for large-scale production of cash crops like soy and palm oil.

Some of the top agricultural products responsible for deforestation include palm oil, soy, beef, and logging for timber. Palm oil plantations, in particular, have been a major driver of tropical deforestation in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, where vast areas of land have been cleared for oil palm plantations. Soybean cultivation is another significant driver of deforestation in South America, where large swaths of tropical rainforests have been cleared to make way for soy plantations.

The environmental impacts of deforestation caused by agricultural expansion are severe. Forests are critical carbon sinks, and their destruction releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation also leads to biodiversity loss, destroys the natural balance of ecosystems, and contributes to the habitat loss of many animal species.

Livestock grazing, particularly for meat production, is also a significant cause of deforestation. Farmers often clear vast areas of land to create grazing pastures for their livestock, contributing to the loss of forested land. The degradation of soil resulting from overgrazing often also leads to repeated clearing and deforestation.

The global demand for meat also drives the expansion of land needed for livestock farming. In addition to pasture land, large amounts of feed crops like soy are grown to feed livestock. In South America, massive forest areas have been cleared to make way for soy plantations, much of which are used to feed livestock. This increase in demand for meat puts tremendous pressure on ecosystems, particularly in the Amazon Rainforest, which is one of the most precious but threatened ecosystems on the planet.

Cattle ranching is one of the primary culprits of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. As beef demand increases, farmers are clearing more land for grazing and creating new pastureland. This practice has led to the destruction of millions of hectares of tropical rainforests in the region. In addition, tropical deforestation is driving Indigenous people from their homes and disrupting the natural habitats of native animal species.

One potential solution to the problem of livestock grazing and its impact on deforestation is a shift towards cyclical agriculture. This method involves rotating crops and livestock grazing to maintain soil fertility and avoid overgrazing. In addition, it reduces the need for large areas of pastureland and minimises the pressure placed on forested ecosystems.

Logging and wood harvesting are among the leading causes of deforestation across the world, especially in North America and Russia. Forests are valuable resources that provide timber products for construction, furniture, and paper. Unfortunately, this often leads to unsustainable logging practices that destroy millions of hectares of forested land every year.

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