Rosales, Mauricio. “LIVESTOCK POLICY BRIEF 03: Cattle Ranching and Deforestation.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006, http://www.fao.org/3/a-a0262e.pdf.
In only the last 25 years, forest have been taken down primarily in central and southern America in order to make room for pastures for producing livestock. Deforestation is responsible for harming the Earth by releasing billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide and causing thousands of animal and plant species to go extinct. In order to combat this destruction, policies by governments need to be put in place to discourage livestock production from expanding and to promote sustainable systems of food production.
One problem that arises from deforestation is the carbon dioxide emission that comes from it. In order to get rid of forests, it is necessary to clear and burn them. This process releases billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses annually. It is estimated that deforestation is responsible for 1/4 of all human caused carbon emissions. Additionally, because trees absorb carbon in the atmosphere and turn it in to wood tissue, deforestation builds up GHG due to the fact there are less “carbon sinks”/forests to absorb it.
Another problem that stems from deforestation is the loss of biodiversity which it causes. Tropical forests have more than 13 million unique species which equals more than 2/3 of all the Earth’s animals and plants. It is estimated that in nearly 10 years, 2 to 5 percent of all rain forest species will go extinct due to deforestation.
Soil degradation is another problem caused by deforestation. In forests and jungles, the soil is able to support all the plants due to the leaves which have fallen and the old branches which give nutrients to it. The canopy of forests protect it from weather external factors such as the sun and too much rain. The root structures of trees are extensive and ultimately help prevent erosion. Once deforestation takes place, the soil loses its nutrients and protect and quickly becomes ruined. The natural grasses around that soil is only able to provide a few nutrients to it and close to no protection.
quote from the journal: not sure how to include this because I’m kind of confused
“Water pollution – Forests often serve as nature’s water
purification plants, as rain water percolates through soil
held in place by the complex root structures of several
layers of trees. Without the protective forest canopy and
roots, the soil loses its capacity to retain water and is often”
Cici's Capstone 