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forest effect

Forests are vital renewable resources that cover approximately 30% of the world's area, providing economic, ecological, and aesthetic benefits. They support biodiversity, contribute to the economy through timber and other products, and play a crucial role in environmental health. However, overexploitation and deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and population growth, pose significant threats to forest ecosystems and biodiversity.

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3 views

forest effect

Forests are vital renewable resources that cover approximately 30% of the world's area, providing economic, ecological, and aesthetic benefits. They support biodiversity, contribute to the economy through timber and other products, and play a crucial role in environmental health. However, overexploitation and deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and population growth, pose significant threats to forest ecosystems and biodiversity.

Uploaded by

komaloraon45
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.

2 Forest Resources

Forest is important renewable resources.


Forest vary in composition and diversity and
can contribute substantially to the economic
development of any country Plants along
with trees cover large areas, produce variety
of products and provide food for living
organisms, and also important to save the
environment.
It is estimated that about 30% of world area is
covered by forest whereas 26% by pastures.
Among all continents, Africa has largest
forested area (336) followed by Latin
America (25%), whereas in North America
forest cover is only 11%. Asia and former
USSR has 14% area under forest. European
countries have only 3% area under forest
cover. India's Forest Cover accounts for 20.6%
of the total geographical area of the country
as of 2005.

Figure
Fig. 2.1Forest area in percent of land area
by country (courtesy: FAO, 2012)
2.2.1 Significance of forests

Forest can provide prosperity of human being


and to the nations. Important uses of forest
can be classified as under

Commercial values
Ecological significance
Aesthetic values
Life and economy of tribal
Fig. 2.2 jses of the forest
2.2.1.1 Commercial values
Forests are main source of many
commercial products such as wood, timber,
pulpwood etc. About 1.5 billion people
depend upon fuel wood as an energy
source. Timber obtained from the forest
can used to make plywood, board, doors
and windows, furniture, and agriculture
implements and sports goods. Timber is
also a raw material for preparation of
paper, rayon and film.
Forest can provide food, fibre, edible oils
and drugs.
Forest lands are also used for agriculture
and grazing.
. Forest isimportant source of development
of dams, recreation and mining.
2.2.1.2 Life and economy of tribal

Forest provide food, medicine and other


products needed for tribal people and play a
vital role in the life and economy of tribes
living in the forest.
2.2.1.3 Ecological uses

Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants


and support millions of species. They help in
reducing global warming caused by green
house gases and produces oxygen upon
photosyrmthesis.
Forest can act as pollution purifier by
absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only helps in
soil conservation but also helps to regulate
the hydrological cycle.
2.2.1.4 Aesthetic values

All over the world people appreciate the


beauty and tranquillity of the forest because
forests have a greatest aesthetic value. Forest
provides opportunity for recreation and
ecosystem research.

2.2.2 Over exploitation of forests

Forests contribute substantially to the


national economy With ncreasing
population increased demand of fuel wood,
expansion of area under urban development
and industries has lead to over exploitation of
forest At present international level we are
losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares
annually. Overexploitation also occurs due to
overgrazing and conversion of forest to
pastures for domestic use.
2.2.3 Deforestation
1. Forest are burned or cut for clearing of
land for agriculture ,harvesting for wood
andtimber, development and expansion of
cities .These economic gains are short term
where as long term effects of deforestation
are irreversible
2. Deforestation rate is relatively low in
temperate countries than in tropics If
present rate of deforestation continues we
may losses 90% tropical forest in coming
six decades
3. For ecological balance 33% area should be
under forest cover but our nation has only
20.6% forest cover.
2.2.3.1 Causes of deforestation

Forest area in some developed area has


expanded. However in developing countries
area under forest is showing declining trend
particularly in tropical region. Main causes of
deforestation are
Fig. 2.3 Causes of deforestation
a) Shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation

This practise is prevalent in tribal areas


where forest lands are cleared to grow
subsistence crops. It is estimated that
principle cause of deforestation in tropics in
Africa, Asia and tropical America is estimated
to be 70, 50, and 35% respectively. Shifting
cultivation which is a practice of slash and
burn agriculture are posses to clear more
than 5 lakh hectares of land annually. In
India, shifting cultivation is prevalent in
northeast and to limited extent in M.P, Bihar
and Andhra Pradesh and is contributing
significantly to deforestation.

b) Commercial logging
It is a important deforestation agent. It may
not be the primary cause but definitely it acts
as secondary cause, because new logging lots
permits shifting cultivation and fuel wood
gatherers access to new logged areas.
c)Needfor fuel wood

Increased population has lead to increasing


demand for fuel wood which is also acting as
an important deforestation agent, particularly
in dry forest.

d) Expansion for agribusiness


With the addition of cash crops such as oil
palm, rubber, fruits and ornamental plants,
there is stress to expand the area for
agribusiness products which results in
deforestation.
e) Development projects and growing need for
food
The growing demand for electricity,
irrigation, construction, mining, etc. has lead
to destruction of forest. Increased population
needs more food which has compelled for
increasing area under agriculture crops
compeiling for deforestation.

fRaw materials for industrial use


Forest provides raw material for industry and
it has exerted tremendous pressure on forest.
Increasing demand for plywood for backing
has exerted pressure on cutting of other
species such as fir to be used as backing
material for apple in J&K and tea in northeast
states.

2.2.3.2 Major effects of deforestation

Deforestation adversely and directly affects


and damages the environment and living
beings .Major causes of deforestation are
Soil erosion and loss of soil fertility
Decrease of rain fall due to affect of
hydrological cycle

Figure
Fig. 2.4 Effects of deforestation (courtesy:
tutorvista)
Expansion of deserts
Climate change and depletion of water
table
Loss of biodiversity ,flora and fauna
Environmental changes and disturbance in
forest ecosystems

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