Deforestation and Reforestation

Deforestation is an environmental problem which can damage the habitats and the soil through erosion (Locatelli et al., 340). It is the cutting of trees which leads to the decline of forests. It is also a permanent destruction forest as a way of making land available for other uses such as settlements and farming. FAO notes that human activities have managed to clear about half of the tropical forests in the world (Langer et al. 70). Deforestation is, therefore, an environmental issue which requires quick remedies. The most effective way of solving the issue of deforestation is through reforestation, saving wood fuel, and implementing eco-forestry.

Reforestation, the opposite of deforestation, has many benefits such as better air quality, reliable and fresh water, a home for many wild animals and many more. Sloan (425) explains it as the process of replanting trees in an area which initially had been covered by forest. The process involves artificial plating of young trees or seeds or natural seeding. The trees which had existed in the land which is replanted had recently been cut down. Wood is an essential material which is vital for human survival. It is used as a fuel, as a building material, for its medicinal value among other numerous uses. It is also a vital source of income when sold. Reforestation helps in creating employment opportunities through managing the forests and also increasing the taxes imposed on property, especially on reforested land. Also, when trees decompose, they add nutrients and enrich the soil. Trees also help in mitigating the effects of climate change, which is among the most significant issues that affect contemporary society. Sloan (430) further assert that climate change is as a result of global warming which emerges as a result of increased human activities, especially industrialization. Still concerning global warming, reforestation helps in preserving the endangered species which is a way of protecting them. These species are endangered because of loss of habitat which threatens their survival. It is essential in restoring the endangered species from extinction.

One of the primary reasons why people cut down trees is for use as fuel. It is essential for humans to understand the need for trees, and how they impact life in the ecosystem. It is therefore essential to supplement or substitute wood fuel with other forms of fuel. These include improved stoves, biomass, and coal.

There are various programs which attempt to implement improved stoves as a way of bridging the gap of saving wood fuel. Practical Action (n.p.) explains that such improved stoves do not require a lot of money to purchase. The primary objective is to enable the program to reach self-sustainability of its production and distribution. According to SunGlitz (n.p), coal is considered to be among the most abundant source of energy as compared to natural gas and oil. It is a good substitute of wood fuel which helps in saving the use of wood as fuel, which is a way of preventing deforestation. Its benefits include igniting at a temperature of more than 100 degrees higher as compared to wood. The fuel is denser than wood and burns longer and more steadily as compared to wood. Lombardo (n.p.) explains that coal generates about 8 to 10% ash per ton as compared to wood. Biomass energy is derived from organic matter of animals and plants. Altenergymag (n.p) explains that they are in the form of dead plants, grass, trees, leaves, garbage, crops, animal waste among others. The type of fuel also reduces the need for fossil fuel such as wood and helps in producing steam, heat, and electricity. When people burn animal and plant waste, the waste and carbon dioxide stored in them is released to the atmosphere, and this makes biomass energy renewable.

Deng, et al (1079) explains that eco-forestry is a method of managing forests through stressing on sustainability instead of pure financial returns. The primary focus of eco-forestry is the ecosystem. Various societies engage in harvesting trees through using portable equipment to avoid damage to the forest. The system involves milling trees where it falls and carrying it along narrow bush tracks. There are principles and strict guidelines which direct eco-forestry. The principles help in monitoring the forests and ensure that the quick restoration of forests to their original state. The timber produced in eco-forestry is called eco-timber. It allows communities develop new forest culture by defining their responsibilities. According to the Living Planet Report 2016 (n.p.), primary emphasis of implementing eco-forestry is the need for education; demonstration through set aside forests and research. Understanding owners and workers are the people performed these duties. As a result, eco-forestry is essential in establishing new relationships between people and the forests through stressing a new understanding which gives the forests the topmost priority and people second. It is the answer to destructive and illegal logging which causes deforestation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reforestation, saving wood fuel and implementing eco-forestry are among the remedies to deforestation which needs to be highly considered in sustaining the ecosystem. The methods offer practical solutions for preventing deforestation since they both have advantages and disadvantages. Countries should consequently adopt reforestation, saving wood fuel and implementing eco-forestry as ways of balancing global warming and ensuring clean air and eliminating harmful gases which affect the environment. It is essential to take action for deforestation as a way of ensuring a free future. Deforestation creates climate imbalance, increases global warming, and causes floods and soil erosion, and the extinction of important wildlife. Governments and organizations should embark on training and educating families, friends and the community on how these actions impact forests around the world.

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