Running Head: DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS

DEFORESTATION, ITS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON

GLOBAL POPULATION, ENIVIRONMENT,
AND IT’S SOLUTIONS.

PREPARED FOR:

Ms. Sara Sehraz

PREPARED BY:

Umair Mushtaq Qureshi

Reg# SP18-BSE-044

Dated

28- November-2018
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures Page 3

Executive Summary Page 4

Section-I

1. Introduction Page 5

1.1 Background Information Page 6

1.2. Statement of Problem Page 6

1.3. Significance of the Study Page 6

Related Literature Page 7

Method of Study Page 10

Scope of the study Page 11

Organization Page 11

SECTION-II

1. Findings Page 12
a) Reasons of deforestation Page 12
b) Who is affected by deforestation Page 13
c) Responsible factors for deforestation Page 14

2. Conclusion Page 16
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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3. Recommendation Page 16

References Page 18
Appendix Page 19

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Causes of deforestation ............................................................................................................... 13

Figure 2 Who is affected by deforestation ................................................................................................ 14
Figure 3 ....................................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 4 who is responsible for forest depletion ....................................................................................... 16
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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Executive Summary :

The importance of forests cannot be underestimated as they are providing shelter

to humans as well as to wildlife. No doubt tress are crucial for our existence not because

they provide us air, paper but are also important in the carbon cycle as well as in

providing habitat for wildlife and livelihood for humans. Forests are also important in

watershed protection, soil erosion, mitigate climate change. But despite our dependence

on forest humans are cutting them for their benefits.

Deforestation has many negative impacts on humans, wildlife and the ecosystem.

This paper describes all the impacts of deforestation. But we can avoid it by planting

trees etc.

Structure of the report:

Section –I of this report introduces the purpose, scope, and coverage of this paper. In

Section-I the purpose of this study is described thoroughly explaining all the aspects why forests

are essential for the ecosystem, humans as well as for wildlife. An overall indication of the

devastation caused by deforestation in current decades is provided.

While Section-II of this report has three sections findings, conclusions, and

recommendations. Finding section explains what are actual reasons of forest depletion and who

is responsible for this curse. And determine who is affecting by forest degradation. And in the
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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recommendation section, some proposals and course of actions are provided which can stop

deforestation and make this place a better place to live.

Introduction to the Study

SECTION- I

1. Introduction

Nowadays the ultimate change in the climatic condition of Pakistan is important to be

highlighted. One of the main reasons for the change in climate is lack of forests. Forests cover

almost third of the earth lands surface area, providing us with many environmental benefits like

soil conservation, prevention of biodiversity etc. Tress are considered as lungs of our planet

which is none, disputable fact but actually there is much more. Forests are important in many

ways both in daily life and for the climate but there appears to be a growing imbalance between

the loss of mature and ancient, open crowned trees and the regeneration of new trees to replace

them.

The Earth’s land mass has approximately 30% of forest cover. On this 30% land cover of forest,

according to UNFAO (United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization) cutting of forest that

occurs annually around 13 million hectares per year, which is nearly the size of Greece. And
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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already lost 3% of forest land due to deforestation. It seems to be very small percentage but when

seen in kilometers square as 1 350 000 km², which is like the size of Italy and Egypt put together.

Scientific study says that every country should have 25% forest of its main land but we have

only 16% which is already in a threat.

1.1. Background Information

Deforestation is permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands.According to an

estimate, around 18 million acres forestland is being cleared per year.Deforestation has many

bad effects on global population, causing far reaching consequences ranging from high rate of

carbon dioxide which is leading towards to barren land... Besides this forests are also important

in preventing soil erosion, watershed protection (which supply 75 percent of freshwater

worldwide)and thereby deprive us from fruits and timber. Significance of forests elevates

instantly after knowing that old grown natural forests not only store carbon dioxide in its

biomass, dead wood, litter but in its soil as well. In addition, it is observed that the total amount

of deforestation throughout the world contributes to 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions,

which is more than total EU greenhouse gas emissions.

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1.2. Statement of problem

The purpose of this study is to determine the negative effects of forest degradation

onglobal populationand on their surroundings. Moreover, this study is too aware every person

about importance of tress and how the forest degradation is affecting our environment.

1.3. Significance of the Study

This study will benefit everyone either a citizen or government.It’severyone’s responsibility to

plant trees for the sake of sustainable social development and economic growth. This report will:

 Act as initiative to prevent people from cutting woods for the welfare of nature and entire

world.

 Aware people from negative impacts of forest degradation.

 Encourage them to plant more trees.

1.4. Related Literature

(Kanae, Oki, & Musiake, 2001), professor in Tokyo Institute of Technology, stated the

impacts of tropical deforestation which are effecting regional climate significantly. The decrease

in precipitation is due to rapid increase in deforestation. The nonparametric Mann–Kendall rank

test and linear regression analysis were applied to determine the precipitation in last 40 years

which decreases up to 100mm per month over the past three to four decades. The magnitude of

the mean decrease in precipitation recorded at many meteorological stations, the whole

deforested area in these experiments was 26 mm per month (7% relative change), and the local

maximum decrease was 88 mm per month (29% relative change). But all these experiments
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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prove that decrease in precipitation in deforested areas is mostly in September not in August

because the strong Westerlies over the Indochina Peninsula disappear in September. The strong

summer monsoon Westerlies bring abundant moisture to the Indochina Peninsula as a source of

precipitation.

(Lean & Warrilow, 1989) Stated that rate of deforestation is accelerating rapidly due to

Population pressure and subsequent demands for crop production, timber and firewood. THE

Amazon basin contains about half of Earth's Tropical forest. And an experiment conducted in

which they replace Amazon tropical forest and savannah with pasture. The simulated local

climate response was dominated by a weakened hydrological cycle, with less precipitation

and evaporation and an increase in surface temperature.

(Ali, Hammad, Benjaminsen, & Dick, 2005 )Reported that the forest degradation in

Himalaya’s is due to rapid increase in population. Based on interviews and the analysis of

satellite images, they critically examine this view using Basho Valley in the Western Himalayas

of Pakistan as a case study. And according to study 50% of forest is reduced after construction of

link road in Basho in 1968. And legal and illegal harvesting is responsible while legal harvesting

was stopped in 1987. Whereas illegal harvesting has since continued with the involvement of the

Forest Department.

(Rafique, Tahir, & Alameer, 2010)Reported that within interval of 1990 and 2005

Pakistan lost 14.7 % forest. In it, they determined the rate of wood consumed by 6000 brick kiln
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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units established in Pakistan. And a manual survey of 180 brick kiln was being conducted.

According to it,GHG’s (Green House Gases) such as CO2 (carbon dioxide), NO2 (nitrogen) and

CH4 (methane) are released by wood consumption so they are effecting environment by two

ways: Deforestation and Air pollution.

(Appiah, Blay, Damnyag, Dwomoh, Pappinen, & Luukkanen, 2009) , their paper is on

the deforestation in Ghana and its consequences. The local residents of Ghana is suffering from

lack of basic resources because of the continuing deforestation. Interviews was being conducted

from 431 household heads and according to survey the basic reason of deforestation is poverty-

driven agriculture and unavailability of jobs rather than farming etc. And solution provided to

stop forest degradation is agroforestry practices (snail farming, bee keeping, fish farming, and

vegetable production).

(HUGHES, KAUFFMAN, & JARAMILLO, 2000)Stated as deforestation of tropical

evergreen forests is the main reason for increasing greenhouse gases in atmosphere. Large

amount of Carbon and other elements are insufficient in atmosphere and these elemental losses is

associated with deforestation. An experiment is being conducted in which Total aboveground

biomass (TAGB) as well as carbon and nutrient pools in aboveground vegetation and soils were

measured along a land-use gradient that included primary forests as well as pastures and

cornfields, which represent the dominant land-use types in the region. According to which a

massive reduction is being observed in elements present in atmosphere.

DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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(Combes, Pirard, & Motel, 2009)They gave a methodology to reduce the

deforestation. Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) promotes the

foresting of forest prevention. The methodology they present is based on factor that overall

deforestation is due to structural factors and domestic policies and measures. And the presented

model is applied to panel of 48 countries.

(Piazza & Roy, 2015)Stated that forest land is being used for alternative purposes and

stocks of standing trees may yield flow benefits. Whereas in this paper they investigate the

economic and ecological factswhich are leading towards forest degradation.Moreover, this study

proposed a simple subsidy on standing forest biomass which motivates a private owner for

conservation of forest.

1.5. Method of study

Data for this study is collected by distributing questionnaire among people. Questionnaire is

consisted of five sections.

1. Part one consists of general questions.

2. Second part of questionnaire is about the ways deforestation is affecting our environment

and global population.

3. Third part consists of personal approach.

4. Fourth section is about facts to determine how much public is aware of massive

destruction deforestation is causing.

5. Last part is of solutions how we can reduce deforestation.

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a) Sample Selection:

The respondents in this survey were general audience so convenience sampling

technique is being used to collect all primary data .Controls were used to avoid any

duplication.

b) Statistical Methods:

Simple statistical techniques were being used to compute the results and data is

analyzed by percent of responses. To compute it number of responses were divided by

number of respondents.

1.6. Scope of Study

For the purpose of this study is to aware people about the devastating

consequences of forest degradation. This study is restricted to negative effects of

deforestation. And another purpose of this study is to encourage people to do

reforestation in order to avoid a horrible future.

1.7. Organization

The organization of this report is writing for a problem as deforestation is rising

issue across the globe. It is to inform about the devastating effects of deforestation which
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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is responsible for climatic change, Global warming, soil erosion etc. This method first

talks about an implementation and then about the problem the implementation addresses.

SECTION- II

Introduction:

This study is designed to determine the devastating effects forest degradation is causing and

to elaborate the methods how these problems can be resolved. Thirty questionnaires were

distributed among different sections of the campus and based on it results are concluded. Section

– II is composed of three sections:

1. Findings

2. Conclusions

3. Recommendations

1. FINDINGS:

The results of the paper are elaborated below:

1.1. Results
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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a) Causes of deforestation

The respondents were provided with a list in questionnaire to determine what main reason of

forest degradation is. According to the results 9 out of 30 (30%) respondents think infrastructure

expansion is the primary reasons of forest degradation while 13 (33%) of them consider over

population is the actual reason of deforestation.(Chakravarty, Ghosh, Suresh, & Shukla,

2011)Stated that city expansion (urbanization) requires land which is only done by clearing land.

The construction of roads, railways, bridges, and airports opens up the land to development and

brings increasing numbers of people to the forest frontier. Fire is a primary tool in clearing lands

for shifting, permanent agriculture and for developing pastures.

35
30
25
20
15
10 Figure 1
5
0 Causes of
Infrastructure Over Live Stock
Logging Fires
Expansion Population Ranching
deforestation
Sales 30.5 33 11 11 16

A considerable factor, which is also dedicated in increasing deforestation, is livestock expansion.

This trend has been driven mainly by the sharp increase in demand for livestock products. Along

with it increase in demand of feed triggered production and export of feed where land is

relatively abundant, which results in forest degradation. In addition, from results it is concluded
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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that respondents also consider livestock ranching is also responsible for increasing deforestation.

The least consider reason was logging whereas experts said, "Half of the most important sites for

plant diversity are threatened by commercial logging".

b) Most affected areas by forest degradation

Deforestation is leading towards loss of habitat of wildlife. Whereas removal of trees also

reduces food, shelter and breeding habitat. And 20% respondents think wild life is highly

affected by reduction of forests. According to an estimate 100 species from the rainforest are

killed each day due to deforestation.

Coral Reefs
3%

Eco System Humans

37% 40%

Wild Life
20%

Figure 2 Who is affected by deforestation

40% of them consider humans are most affected creature cause without trees humans are not

capable of surviving. The disastrous effects of deforestation on humans are no suitable air ,no

tree-based products, water wars and chronic damage etc. On the other ecosystem is also effecting
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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by forest depletion and 37% of respondents are curious about the loss in purity of ecosystem.

Moreover, 3% of think coral reefs and aquatic life are also victims of forest degradation.

c) Responsible factors for deforestation

Deforestation and illegal harvesting of timber is a serious issue which can be controlled by

crafting legislation. In protecting woodlands, government should do more than lip service. 41%

of respondents consider that government is responsible for deforestation.While 33% of them

think every individual person is blameworthy for forest depletion because many of us are

unaware of importance of recycling and didn’t bother to do so.

120

100

80

60 Unsure

40 No
Yes
20

0
Recycling Government
percentage responsible for
deforestation

Figure 3

And some consider property builders and illiterate persons are liable for forest degradation described in
Figure 4.
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Government, 41

Public , 33

Property builders,
Illetaracy, 10 10

Others, 1

Government Illetaracy Public Property builders Others

Figure 4 who is responsible for forest depletion

2. Conclusion:

From this it is concluded, now a days rate of deforestation has been increased

which has a worst impact on our environment .Main reason of deforestation is the

increasing necessities and population of humans . Important role behind deforestation is

of human because humans use the wood for his earning, wood products etc. Forests are

being demolished for logging, mining, infra-structure expansion , hydroelectric dams etc.

Humans are reason of forest depletion on the other hand humans are mostly effected by

this. The most dramatic effect of forest depletion on wild life is loss of habitat and

ecosystem is also badly disrupted because of it.

3. Recommendations:
Based on findings and conclusions following recommendations are being made:
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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1. As an individual or part of global society everyone should plant at least tree on his own to

combat deforestation.

2. Stop printing and go paperless. Now we have facility of using computer files to avoid use

of papers.

3. Teach local farmers to use existing lands instead of clearing new lands.

4. And we should focus on recycled paper and wood products, wood alternatives and all

Environmentally responsible consumerism.

5. Avoid firewood to heat up fire places because it took only few minutes to burn a tree but

took years to grow even a single tree.

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References

Ali, J., Hammad, A., Benjaminsen, A., & Dick, O. B. (2005 , October 20). Global Environmental
Change. The road to deforestation: An assessment of forest loss and its causes in Basho
Valley, Northern Pakistan, pp. 370-380.
Appiah, M., Blay, D., Damnyag, L., Dwomoh, K., Pappinen, A., & Luukkanen, O. (2009).
Dependence on forest resources and tropical deforestation in Ghana. Environment,
Development and Sustainability, 471-487.
Chakravarty, S., Ghosh, S. K., Suresh, C. P., & Shukla, G. (2011). Deforestation: Causes,Effects
and Control Strategies . India .
Combes, J., Pirard, R., & Motel, P. (2009). A methodology to estimate impacts of domestic
policies on deforestation: Compensated Successful Efforts for “avoided deforestation”
(REDD). Ecological Economics, 680-691.
HUGHES, R. F., KAUFFMAN, J. B., & JARAMILLO, V. J. (2000). ECOSYSTEM-SCALE
IMPACTS OF DEFORESTATION AND LAND USE IN A HUMID TROPICAL REGION
OF MEXICO. Mexico: Ecological Society of America.
Kanae, S., Oki, T., & Musiake, K. (2001). Impact of Deforestation on Regional Precipitation
over the Indochina Peninsula. American Meterological Society.
Lean, J., & Warrilow, D. A. (1989). Simulation of the regional climatic impact of Amazon
deforestation. Nature, 411–413 .
Piazza, A., & Roy, S. (2015). Deforestation and optimal management. Journal of Economic
Dynamics and Control, 15-27.
Rafique, M., Tahir, S., & Alameer, A. (2010). Biomass fuel burning and its implications:
Deforestation and greenhouse gases emissions in Pakistan. Environmental Pollution,
2490-2495.
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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Appendix

SURVEY ON DEFORESTATION AND ITS IMPACT

1. Do you think about deforestation?

Yes
No
2. Is deforestation leading towards loss of habitat of wildlife?

Yes
No
3. According to your opinion what is main reason of deforestation?

Infrastructure Expansion
Fires
Over Population
Logging
Live Stock Ranching

4. Are you aware of any of your local areas that have undergone deforestation?

Yes
No
Unsure
5. Have you ever participated in a protest against deforestation?
Yes
No
DEFORESTATION ITS IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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6. Do you recycle?
Yes
No

7. Who are affected most by forest degradation?

Humans
Coral Reefs

Ecosystem
Wildlife
8. Is deforestation a necessary evil?

Yes
No
Unsure
9. Isgovernment responsible for illegal deforestation?

Yes
No
Unsure
10. Who are the guilty persons in this drama?