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Jenna Proud
Mr. Cribley
Biology 3
rd
hour
18 May 2014
Human Destruction of Temperate Forests
Humans massively impact all ecosystems on Earth. Specifically, temperate deciduous
forests are especially affected by human disturbances. One of the ways humans impact these
biomes is by deforestation. Deforestation is the process of clearing trees. We also cause habitat
fragmentation, which is defined as a landscape-scale process involving both habitat loss and the
breaking apart of habitat. Lastly, we humans impact these forests most largely by polluting, or
littering. All of these factors contribute to the loss of temperate deciduous forests, but there are
ways to prevent or lessen these destructions.
Deforestation is a major effect humans have on temperate deciduous forests.
Deforestation is typically used to make more land for urbanization and farming. Another key
reason deforestation is done by humans is for timber. We either cut down or burn to clear the
trees. Deforestation has many more effects than you may think. It causes loss of species, carbon
emissions, and soil erosion. With all of the trees being cleared out of an area, species wont have
any habitats left. Healthy forests help control carbon emissions by taking in oxygen during their
process of photosynthesis. They also absorb other greenhouse gasses. After deforestation soil
erosion commonly occurs. Without tree roots to anchor soil and their shady tops to reduce sun
exposure to soil, the soil will dry out. This dry soil will contribute to flooding and the inability to
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farm in the area. Deforestation has many lasting effects and is also a similar factor caused by
humans to habitat fragmentation.
Habitat fragmentation is a threat to species and their ecosystems they rely on for survival.
Temperate deciduous forests can be affected by habitat fragmentation due to human
development, road building, deforestation, and the use for agriculture. Unlike deforestation, a
whole area is not cleared of trees, but that doesnt mean habitat fragmentation isnt as serious.
Arguably, it can be worse. This practice decreases habitat diversity and breaks up ecosystems
into smaller, less diverse, and more isolated portions. Habitat fragmentation has many negative
impacts upon ecosystems such as: inbreeding, isolation, smaller populations, and higher levels of
competition. Due to ecosystems being broken up into smaller sections, which means smaller
habitats, there will be decreases in population sizes. These populations will now be even more
sparse and isolated. This contributes to inbreeding, since populations wont be able to find mates
as easily. Habitat fragmentation will deplete many resources which leads to an increase in
competitors, parasites, and predators. While deforestation and habitat fragmentation hurt our
ecosystems greatly, possibly pollution could be our worst crime of all.
Humans pollute the land in many different practices. Farmers pollute the land by using
highly-toxic fertilizers and pesticides to meet the high demand for food. Families produce tons of
garbage each year that overcrowd landfills. Landfills give off the greenhouse gas methane, which
can lead to global warming. Industrialization has led to increased amounts of land pollution.
Many factories also produce high amounts of garbage and waste, and some dump harmful
chemicals directly on the land. These harmful acts severely impact temperate deciduous forests.
When chemicals are dumped, they can get into the soil which ultimately will get into the water
supply, causing plants and animals to die. This disrupts the food chain. The same process
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happens with toxic pesticides and fertilizers used by modern farmers. All of these things not only
hurt animals and their habitats, but also destroys the beauty of nature.
Many practices by humans negatively impact temperate deciduous forests such as:
deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and land pollution. Although, there are ways to lessen these
impacts we make upon the ecosystems. Buying things that are biodegradable, recycling, and
reusing, are big factors that can reduce the overcrowding in landfills today. When deforestation
occurs, cutting must be replaced by planting young trees to replace the older ones that were cut.
Always keep the environment in mind and you can make a difference.