CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION
The main causes of deforestation are complex and interconnected, with human activity accounting for the majority of the phenomenon.
First off, growth in agriculture is one of the main factors contributing to deforestation. The need for food rises along with the world's population. Large tracts of woodland are cleared by growers to make way for food production and grazing for animals. This method is especially common in tropical locations where forests are transformed into lands used for cattle breeding, soy farming, and palm oil production (Mosciaro et al. 2023).
Additionally, both legal and illicit commercial logging significantly add to the destruction of forests. Wood is cut down for building materials, furniture, and paper goods. Although there are environmentally friendly logging methods, excessive agriculture and illicit logging cause substantial deforestation, particularly in nations with lax regulations (Casse et al. 2004).
Furthermore, deforestation is a result of infrastructure developments like roads, highways, and urban growth. Forests are cleared for towns, industries, and new highways that are necessary for a country's development. These projects frequently fragment forests, making them more susceptible to further deterioration (Mosciaro et al. 2023).
Additionally, as a result of extreme weather, drought, and fires occurring more frequently and intensely, warming temperatures worsen deforestation. Forests can be severely damaged by these disasters, making it harder for them to recover. Variations in temperature and precipitation can modify forest ecosystems, resulting in the extinction of some tree species and a reduction in the overall condition of forests (Casse et al. 2004).