Appendix 2

Deforestation is the act of clearing out forests that have grown naturally by humans. This doesn't
include any naturally occurring organisms that clear out forests. Deforestation usually occurs
when a forest needs to be cleared for resources by people in the area. The trees in forests serve
many purposes, from paper, to firewood, to woodworking material. Small families in certain
countries usually rely on forests for these things.

Most deforestation occurs by people who don't understand the implications of their actions. For
example, one of the main contributers to Amazonian deforestation are farmers trying to clear
land for their families or bring home firewood. The sheer amount of civilians who use the forest
as a resource on the personal level contribute greatly to the deforestation. Much of the naturally
occurring forests in North America were cut down during America's expansion. The onset of the
industrial age increased the rate of deforestation with new technology making it easier to remove
trees, as well as the need for wood.

Many provisions are made in developed nations to slow down or reverse the process of
deforestation, but many are hard to follow through. The edges of forests are hard to police for
illegal cutting. The perimeter of a rain forest can stretch for hundreds of miles, and there it is not
possible to make sure no illegal logging occurs. Not just this, but deforestation primarily occurs
on a small scale, making it difficult for anyone to patrol or prosecute.

One way to stop deforestation is to find out why people rely on trees for certain things. If the
reason for deforestation can be found, it can be nipped in the bud, leaving no reason for trees to
be cut down. More trees can be planted in the place of cut down trees as they are removed.

Deforestation has a drastic effect on the environment, as well as natural wildlife. Most rain
forests have delicate ecosystems with many yet to be discovered species. Removing certain areas
of a forest forces species to adapt to new habitats, which can cause them to go extinct. No one
knows how many species have gone extinct due to the effects of deforestation on the world so
far.

While deforestation has a lot of negative implications, it usually necessary in developing nations.
People depend on the forest, so it would be impossible to stop the deforestation completely.
Forcing nations to stop deforestation would do more harm then good in the long run. But it can
be slowed and counteracted to the point where forest growth is close to the rate of deforestation.
You can counteract deforestation by planting trees as you cut them down.