Introduction
The ecosystem comprises of various components and species that ensure there is a balance in every function that is essential in the survival of all existing living organisms. According to the World Wildlife Fund (2017), the planet is 31% made up of forests. Besides, existing as a safe habitat for the wild animals and some humans, the trees, and vegetation in forests are a great source of oxygen that is vital for both animals and plants. Other essential benefits of the forests are the allocation of food, water reservoirs, medicine, clothing, and elimination of soil erosion among others (Towns, 2013). Despite the benefits provided by forests, other urgent needs have contributed to the cutting of trees uncontrollably enhancing deforestation. Deforestation is the clearing of tree plantation for purposes of accommodating the increasing human population, agriculture and other industrial activities. The impact of forest clearing is catching up with the humans most of which are posing a menace. While there are immediate effects of deforestation, others are long-term and adverse.
Short and long-term Effects of Deforestation
As reckoned by Alina Bradford (2015), the statistics highlighted by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization indicate that annually, close to 18 million acres of forests are destroyed to create room for other urban needs. In the short-term effects of deforestation, the implications are mostly the met needs of space creation and the satisfaction of the timber and wood among other raw materials. Moreover, the removal of anchored trees interferes with the fertility of the soil because of erosion. Since the forests are comprised of various species of flora and fauna, felling of the trees risks a possibility in the distinction of some essential living organisms either by cutting them down or destroying their habitat. The biodiversity is also tampered with, the animals and plants dependent on the destroyed species suffer from a minimized food supply that contributes to their deaths and possible extinction (Butler, 2012). For many years, the forest has been a hiding place to endangered species which on the other hand become extinct due to forest destruction and exposure to threats and danger. Trees play a significant role in the cycle of water in the ecosystem from its absorption through the roots to releasing through transpiration in the atmosphere. Destruction of these trees especially in the rainforests causes dry seasons due to the interference with the rain formation (Vina & Cavelier, 1999). Lack of rain has severe implications for all other living organisms because it enhances a limited water supply that is a critical need to the lives of all species. Dry seasons impact the reduction of vegetation most of which are sources of food to the various living organism. The limitation of the food supply is a number one reason as to why animals and plants struggle and compete for food for survival. The aftermath of such events is the deaths of numerous plants and animals which also influences the imbalance in the ecosystem.
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The lack of trees contributes to extreme flooding because of the lack of regulations of the rainwater flow. Continuous floods also play a prominent role in soil erosion which kills the nutrients on the ground because of flushing them to bigger water bodies masses. On the other hand, the uncovered soil is exposed to the sun leading to the dryness and release of essential soil components like nitrogen (Gerwein, 2002). As a result, flood affected regions alternate seasons from floods to drought making it difficult to cultivate in these areas because of infertility.
While experts debate that global warming is a condition catalyzed by greenhouse gasses, deforestation highly contributes to it. Since trees take in carbon dioxide and other environmental impurities, deforestation interferes with the plantation ability to hold the carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses to the rest of the ecosystem. As explained by Forest Saver (n.d), deforestation increases the temperatures especially in regions with high latitudes in combination with vaporization enhancing the formation of greenhouse gases. Global warming, on the other hand, is a long-term effect that contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer which protects both animals and plants from harsh ultra-violet sun rays (Ho, 2014). The harsh sun rays are identified as a cause of cancerous diseases on the skin of animals and man. The plants on the other hand, never have the chance to reach maturity since the extreme sun, causes evaporation of the water absorbed from the ground which is essential to its development.
The efforts to undo the effects of deforestation in the environment have faced immense challenges especially in the case of adverse long-term implications (Villegas, 2011). Contrary to this, a lot is being done to save the endangered species and the whole ecosystem. Considering that the climate and biodiversity are among the harsh realities impacted by deforestation, afforestation and construction of dams help in handling the ordeal.
Conclusion
Deforestation is enhanced by the need for raw materials for construction of items like furniture and fuel among others. Furthermore, the increase in human population and urbanization dictates the vast removal of vegetation and forest to create space. The implications of deforestation have done more harm than good to the ecosystem contributing to the extinction of the endangered species. To deal with the issue the government, every individual and environmental institute must formulate ways in which forests can be brought back to life despite the long period it takes.
References
Bradford, A. (2015, March 4). Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html
Butler, R. (2012, July 22). Consequences of Deforestation . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from Mongabay: https://rainforests.mongabay.com/0901.htm
ForestSaver. (n.d.). Long Term Effects . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from Forest Saver: http://forestsaver.weebly.com/long-term-effects.html
Gerwein, J. (2002, June 1). Long-Term Effects of Deforestation on Genetic Diversity: A Comparison of Old Growth and Secondary Red Oak Populations . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.highlight/abstract/5266
Ho, K. (2014, March 26). Deforestation: Causes, Effects and Solutions . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from LinkeIn slide share: https://www.slideshare.net/threeseconds/deforestation-causes-effects-and-solutions
Rinkesh. (2017). Deforestation Facts . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from Conserve Energy Future: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/author/rinkesh
Towns, T. (2013, September 27). some of the long term effects of deforestation for example . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from Prezi: https://prezi.com/-ar88jdp9rnl/some-of-the-long-term-effects-of-deforestation-for-example-w/
Villegas, M. (2011). What are the short-term impacts of deforestation and dam formation on adjacent communities of terrestrial vertebrates, mainly tropical birds? Retrieved November 11, 2017, from Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_short-term_impacts_of_deforestation_and_dam_formation_on_adjacent_communities_of_terrestrial_vertebrates_mainly_tropical_birds
WWF. (2017). Deforestation . Retrieved November 11, 2017, from World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation
