1. How will deforestation effect our lives as humans?
Deforestation affects our lives by reducing CO2 for our air, increased desertification, increased flooding events, decreased sense of place with impacts to the natural surroundings, increased temperatures, land loss of natural wind. All of these have mental, physical, and emotional health implications.
2. Where would the organisms inhabiting in those areas go due to the cut down of trees?
Wildlife will move to more dense areas as they so please. If you look at the case of Banff, where they removed a lot of the forest for mobility of tourists, the wolves, bear, moose etc. moved out of the area, leaving the elk within the park, causing an overpopulation, and a hazard to the natural ecosystems. Bear require great areas of migration, hunting, and foraging, so when loss of their habitat occurs, they struggle to find new habitat. Birds migrate and don’t return, small amphibians lose critical habitat, and organisms such as worms, beetles, etc. have harder times with the loss of roots, soil, shade and protection, and water. Moreover, the infringement into habitat is when wildlife-human interactions increase and pose threats to humans i.e. cougars, bear, moose etc.
3. In regards to the ecosystem and reforestation, are there any signs of recovery?
With the loss of forests there is no recovery unless those forests are replanted. Forest ecosystems are intricate layers. Starting with the smallest plant, to medium sized bushes, to trees, not to mention the soils, the water, the storage of carbon, and so forth. Loss of one plant species can destroy the ecosystem.
4. What is the most lingering/largest problem associated with deforestation?
Aside from the lack of trees? There are several. In the urban context, the loss of forests increases water run-off onto roads, soil erosion, protection from wind, protection from wildlife, and the increased temperature due to the creation of Urban Heat Islands. What is the largest? This really is a matter of perspective. If you are a nature lover, it may be culturally and psychologically impacting. If you are a lover of environment in general then the loss of such ecosystems will greatly alter the local weather, increase chances for flooding, soil erosion, contamination to water and water bodies, and more. There are so many lasting problems with deforestation, that are ultimately examined in several studies.
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