Introduction
Deforestation is the uncontrolled and illegal cutting down and harvesting of trees which result in the reduction of the forest cover. Deforestation has adverse effects on the environment; the forests plays a significant role in the ecosystem. Deforestation is associated with the global climate change due to lack of trees which absorbs carbon iv oxide gases and releases oxygen into the air. In the 21st century environmentalists and ordinary human beings are already experiencing the effects of deforestation through the change in climate and desertification of most landscape.
UNEP
In the ecosystem, forests are rainfall holders by providing cover to the ground and holds the soil together. Deforestation results in gulley erosion due to poor soil cover. Reduced forest covers have led in the destruction of the environmental landscape. Rivers in Africa and other parts of the world are drying up due to lack of forest cover to hold water tables when it rains. Deforestation has had and continues to have devastating effects on the environment until something is done about it.
Amazonian deforestation and climate
The climate in the Amazon forests is not the same again, deforestation effects are widespread and felt over regional distances. Deforestation has reduced the amount of rain previously experienced in the Amazon and regional blocks. Deforestation has led to the gradual increase in temperatures in the Amazon and regional areas due to the erosion of the ozone layer by reaction of carbon dioxide gases that reacts with the ozone gases resulting to the fragmentation of the ozone cover layers that protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays and excessive heat from the sun. This effect of deforestation can be proved through the melting of glaciers due to the rise in temperatures (Gash et al. 1996).
I agree that the consequences of deforestation on the environment are grievous and cannot be ignored. The world landscape is not the same anymore; the forest cover has gradually reduced due to human activities. This is a threat to the future of our ecosystems that are now ruined due to deforestation. Wild animals are now more vulnerable due to human encroachment on forests to create space for agricultural land through cutting down of the forest cover.
Conclusion
Deforestation is blamed for the large percentage of climate and environment change. Effects of deforestation are now more evident than ever due to the reduction of forest covers global temperatures are on the rise as well as the decrease of rainfall and water body masses especially the rivers. Most of the landscape that used to be good for human habitation is now deserted due to deforestation.
Reference list
Gash, J. H., Nobre, C. A., Roberts, J. M., & Victoria, R. L. (1996). Amazonian deforestation and climate. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
United Nations environmental program
http://unep.org/
