Deforestation
By: Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee LernerPublished in Detroit in 2009 from Opposing Viewpoints In Context.
Picture: This graphic shows the
deforestation that takes place so often to build stores and houses. This is
causing many issues such as climate change and loss of habitats for animals.
Summary: Deforestation has been occurring for over 8,000
years and is now mainly happening in tropical areas. For deforestation to be
monitored it requires remote sensing done with satellites but this does not
give accurate results. The majority of deforestation takes place when clearing
for agricultural purposes. When burning all of the trees and shrubbery it
leaves all of the nutrients from the plants and makes the soil rich for the
farmer. Tropical regions are recently being demolished so crops can be exported
to richer countries. When deforestation takes place it reduces the amount of
biodiversity in an ecosystem. Flooding and droughts are more of a problem
because by removing trees the soil erodes too.
Opinion/Reflection: I was surprised to see all of the
negative effects of deforestation. I was aware of the obvious effect of losing
the habitats of many animals but never really thought much about the other
severe impacts it has. The benefits of cutting trees are more widely known such
as paper production and firewood. I think that deforestation should be
minimized but that is highly unlikely so another solution would be replacing
the deforestation site with new wood growth as soon as possible. I think that
there needs to be stricter regulations on the amount of wood allowed to be cut
down and the amount that is replaced in that area.
Questions:
1. Do you think that deforestation is a
problem? Why or why not?
2. What suggestions do you have to reduce the
amount of deforestation around the world?
3. Do you think that deforestation is
contributing to global warming?
