Almost a third of the planet’s land surface is covered with forests. They play an important role in maintaining life. They host more than 60% of the world’s biodiversity and provide humans with many products such as food, medicine, fuel, wood, paper, etc. Apart from the many products that can be purchased from forests, they also play very important ecological roles by stopping erosion, protecting watersheds, controlling stream and river flows, regulating weather conditions, and preventing floods and landslides.

But for various reasons, this valuable ecosystem is fast disappearing in various parts of the world. Deforestation rates have increased since the 1980s. To date, according to estimates provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the group responsible for forests, deforestation rates have accelerated during the 1990s, translating into 10.14 million hectares of denuded forests between 1990 and 2000 and 10.4 million hectares in the period 2000-2005.

Deforestation and forest degradation occur in response to political, commercial and institutional signals. It is the result of the interaction of many environmental, economic, social, cultural, and political conditions in any given region.

There are two main causes of deforestation. The main and most common reasons for deforestation are known as direct causes. Logging, overpopulation, urbanization, construction of dams, etc. They are under direct causes. The other main cause of deforestation is known as natural causes since they are brought by Mother Nature.

Rapid population growth has resulted in the conversion of forest areas to non-forest land for settlement and agriculture. Along with this is the urbanization and expansion of residential areas. This requires a significant loss of forest land both to harvest forest products, as more people need more wood to build their houses, and to develop the larger area where their houses, commercial and business centers will be built.

An increase in population also means an increase in product consumption. Therefore, rainforests are destroyed and converted to pasture for cattle to meet the growing demand for meat. In Central America, nearly half of the rainforests have been cleared and burned for ranching to meet foreign demands. Twenty-five percent of the Amazon forests have also been destroyed for cattle ranching.

The lack of government legislation for land reforms has also cut down the forest, especially in developing countries like Southeast Asian nations. The people of that region are among the poorest in the world and are desperate for a piece of land. The unequal distribution of resources has led these people to find their way to exploit the forests.

Another reason for denuding the forest is exploitative economic development schemes and the impotence of the government to safeguard its resources. Poor countries in their attempt to increase their income are somehow exploiting their resources such as forests. The wood is exported to reduce the national debt. Countries rich in mineral resources open their doors to multinational mining corporations that clear the forests as they go about their operations. The government, especially those in the Third World, cannot stop commercial logging and implement a full ban on logging in exchange for higher exchange rates. Development projects such as government-contracted dams, highways, and airports also cause deforestation.

While most causes of deforestation are due to human activities, there are uncontrolled causes of deforestation such as forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons.

Forest fires are started by lightning and strong winds help spread the flames. Drought in the forest has increased the amount of brush and flammable debris on the forest floor. Forest fires destroy an immeasurable amount of valuable wood. They kill not only trees but also other living things.

Meanwhile, the volcanic eruption is one of several natural forces capable of causing damage to forests. The ash emitted during the eruption coats the leaves of the trees, which then interferes with photosynthesis. The animal population is also devastated. The organisms that survive have to cope with habitat change and reduced food supplies.

The last one is the typhoon. These are violent storms when fierce winds destroy much of the island’s rainforest.

People can only hope that the uncontrollable forces that cause deforestation do not cause great harm. However, correct decisions and good actions must be taken to address the problems brought by the other reasons for deforestation where the cause and the final result are in the hands of the people.