Endangerment due to Deforestation

A significant problem across the world, is the possibility of many animals going extinct through long term declining rates. Animals face many threats that cause lots of death, primarily deforestation and forest degradation.

Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested lands and areas for other uses such as agricultural purposes. This is seen through many forms such as authorized deforestation or logging, illegal and legal. Authorized deforestation is the action of being authorized with permission from the government to clear these areas. Logging is the chopping of trees for the sale of timber. Although some countries have made it illegal, small and large scales of illegal logging still continues within these countries and around the world. Deforestation is widespread across the globe which causes immense effects on the animals. These forested areas are some animal’s habitat and without their habitat, many animals suffer and cease.

Not only does deforestation impact the animals, it has an impact on the general environment. Forest degradation is when forest ecosystems lose their capacity to provide important goods and services to people and nature. This happens naturally but also as an effect of deforestation as “the deforestation process and subsequent changes in land use alter the soil’s physical and chemical characteristics, further hampering the recovery of the original tree vegetation.” This has a major effect on the environment by destroying the valuable service that the forested areas provide. This further impacts animals by removing their main food source and eventually causing them to die. Although forest degradation happens naturally, deforestation speeds up the process and further impacting both the environment and the animals who live there.

The extinction of many animals that live in forested areas would have immense effects onto society. If many animals go extinct, even the small animals that seem invaluable, the entire food chain will be messed up. This would then cause an imbalance in ecosystems and could further cause extinction through animal’s losing a source of food.

To battle this problem, many non-government organizations and governments can set in stone systems or services to help animals suffering from deforestation and degradation. The government can set in laws and regulations that can immensely help animals, while non-government organizations can create services and programs to contribute. Despite the differences in their ability to help, without their help, mass amounts of animals may suffer and go extinct.

Overall, a major problem across the world is deforestation and degradation and the effects it has on local animals. Many animals are heavily threatened and face the possibility of extinction. Its important for the world to recognize this issue to respond effectively to help all animals around the world.