Definition:

Deforestation is the process of large-scale and permanent removal of forests and wooded areas by human activities. This process results in forests being cleared, cut down or otherwise destroyed, with serious environmental, economic and social impacts.

Main characteristics of deforestation:

Causes: Deforestation can be attributed to various causes, including agricultural land expansion, mining, human settlement development, road construction, logging, illegal logging and forest fires.

Environmental impacts: Deforestation leads to loss of biodiversity, degradation of ecosystems, soil erosion, climate change (through release of carbon dioxide) and loss of natural habitats for plants and animals.

Social impacts: Deforestation can also trigger social conflicts, especially when indigenous peoples or local communities are affected by deforestation and lose their livelihoods.

Reasons for deforestation:

Agriculture: the conversion of forests into agricultural land, especially for the cultivation of monocultures such as soy, palm oil and beef, is one of the main causes of deforestation.

Timber extraction: The demand for timber products, especially tropical timber, leads to excessive logging and illegal deforestation.

Infrastructure and settlement development: Road construction, mining and the expansion of cities and settlements contribute to deforestation as they cut through and destroy forests.

Climate change: Forest fires that occur due to climate change-related droughts and high temperatures can increase deforestation.

Combating deforestation:

Legislation and regulation: the introduction and enforcement of laws and regulations to protect forests and ensure sustainable management is crucial.

Sustainable forestry: Promoting sustainable forestry practices that use wood products responsibly helps to conserve forests.

Protected areas: The establishment of protected areas and national parks can save forests from deforestation and preserve biodiversity.

Awareness raising: Raising public awareness of the importance of forests, their ecological role and the consequences of deforestation is of great importance.

Deforestation is a pressing environmental problem that has far-reaching effects on the environment, the climate and human society. The protection and conservation of forests is crucial to minimize the negative impacts of deforestation and preserve the ecological integrity of our planet.