THE EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION

An estimated 13 million hectares of forests were lost each year between 2000 and 2010 due to deforestation. In tropical rainforests particularly, deforestation continues to be an urgent environmental issue that jeopardizes people’s livelihoods, threatens species, and intensifies global warming.

BIODIVERSITY

Deforestation and forest degradation can cause wildlife to decline. When forest cover is removed, wildlife is deprived of habitat and becomes more vulnerable to hunting. Considering that about 80% of the world's documented species can be found in tropical rainforests, deforestation poses a serious threat to the Earth’s biodiversity.

DISRUPTED WATER CYCLES

As a result of deforestation, trees no longer evaporate groundwater, which can cause the local climate to be much drier.

GREENHOUSE EMISSION

Forests are the largest terrestrial store of carbon, but deforestation is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions after fossil fuel burning, causing 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

SOIL EROSION

Deforestation accelerates rates of soil erosion, by increasing runoff and reducing the protection of the soil from tree litter.

COMMUNITIES

Millions of people rely directly on forests, through shifting cultivation, hunting and gathering, and by harvesting forest products such as rubber. Deforestation continues to create severe social problems, sometimes leading to violent conflict.