United States Deforestation

What is Deforestation?

Deforestation refers to the long-term or permanent loss of tree canopy cover and the conversion of this land for other purposes. A 10 percent loss of canopy qualifies for this term.

For instance, right now, 90 percent of the forests in the Pacific Northwest are pinpointed for logging. The harvested trees will be used to make lumber and various wooden products. The forest may be replanted, but it will take a minimum of 100 years for its healthy return to its original state.

Sixty percent of deforestation worldwide is attributed to just seven countries in the world. They are:

• Brazil
• Canada
• Indonesia
• China
• Russia
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• United States

Causes of United States Deforestation

There are many causes to deforestation both in the United States and abroad. Many of them include money. Many individuals living in highly forested areas are lured by substantial offers of money for the logging rights to their land. This occurs in all locations of the United States. A landowner doesn't even have to have a significant acreage to be approached by loggers. A few densely forested acres can yield a lot of wood for an experienced logger.

Once a logging company deforests an area, the landowner now has several acres of clear land. Again, prompted by money, a landowner can sell these acres to developers for new housing complexes. The urban sprawl is not just something for large metropolitan cities anymore. It's happening in various locations through rural America, too.

Additionally, farmers appreciate their forested acres being cleared. They can use this newly cleared land for agricultural purposes, either planting crops and reaping benefits from those harvests or allowing grass to grow for haying. Farmers who specialize in cattle can use these newly created pastures for their herd.

Effects

Trees have an impact on climate. Most everyone knows that plants help to generate oxygen into the air by the means of photosynthesis. The more destruction that is done to the world's forests, the less oxygen that is being re-released into the air. This causes atmospheric changes, thus influencing the world's climate.

Forests have a tremendous ability to help protect topsoil and important soil nutrients. They protect against erosion and keep soil intact. It has been noted that with deforestation levels rising, the streamflow rates have increased.

Deforestation has an impact on natural habitats. Within the forests, animals of many sorts dwell. With the loss of their homes, they must relocate. Their relocation often includes moving into more populated areas, including towns and cities. This harms the entire ecosystem.

There is Hope

One area that remains largely untouched in the United States is the boreal forest in northern Alaska. Boreal refers to coniferous trees (Cedar, Fir and Evergreen). This land remains protected and should stay intact for many, many years to come.

Also, many forests are being replanted. The need of forest land has become more widely recognized throughout the United States, and environmentalists everywhere are putting more focus on this subject. Efforts are being made to repopulate dwindling forests and to replace lost habitat. It has been realized that deforestation has had a hand in global warming, and needs to be stopped in order to cease hurting the environment. Even though forests are being replanted, it's not going to fix everything. These replanted forests have a different structure and composition than the original ones. A planned forest doesn't have as much chance of long-term survival as a natural one.

Will deforestation ever end? It's doubtful. Wood from trees is always going to be needed for a building source. People heat their homes with wood. It's a relatively cheap source of fuel. While wood will be continued to be used for various things, the harvested amounts can be decreased. United States deforestation can turn itself around easily.