Deforestation

Deforestation is the destruction of forests.

File:Burned forest.jpg

Forests are typically cleared by burning.

Most rainforest destruction is to make room for pasture to raise cows.

Causes

Land use

Forests are cleared so that the land can be used for some purpose. In most cases, it's to make farm land.

• Agriculture uses far more land than housing, mining, and every other usage combined.

Logging

Forests are cut down to make wood. Tree farming can be sustainable if done in moderation - but the problem arises when old-growth forests are cut down. 💬 discussion TODO: Explain what old-growth forests are exactly (wild habitats) * Why they can't be replaced (they're much more biodiverse than you can get by replanting trees) * There's very little old-growth forest left on Earth (make a map maybe) * Endangered species live there (list some examples maybe) * Why we should care

Effects

• Endangered species die
• Contributes to climate change (by removing sequestered carbon, it ends up back in the atmosphere)

Solutions

• Reduce the amount of land required to feed the world
• Stop old growth logging

See also

• Habitat loss (the more general term to refer to the destruction of any natural habitat, not just forests)
• Reforestation