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B7 J) Deforestation & Peat Bogs
B7 J) Deforestation & Peat Bogs
The process of chopping trees down is known as deforestation. Over the last 50 years, large areas of forests have been cut down for a variety of different reasons. The main reasons are so that we can grow more crops (palm oil and crops for biofuels) and to rear animals (mainly cattle). Other reasons for deforestation are for resources for products (timber), city expansion and for new roads. Tropical rainforests have experienced high levels of deforestation (tropical rainforests are found around the equatorial regions of earth).
Often the ‘slash and burn’ method is used for deforestation. The ‘slash and burn’ method is where a large area of forest is cut down, left to dry and then burnt.
Often the ‘slash and burn’ method is used for deforestation. The ‘slash and burn’ method is where a large area of forest is cut down, left to dry and then burnt.
Deforestation has a variety of different effects and the majority are negative. Here are some effects:
Increase in Carbon Dioxide
Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, so an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to the enhanced greenhouse effect/ climate change. The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from deforestation happens for 2 reasons.
So, the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases for 2 reasons. The first is that carbon dioxide is released when trees and vegetation are burnt or left to be broken down by microorganisms. The second is that less carbon dioxide is taken in because there are fewer trees to engage in photosynthesis.
A Reduction in Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of different species that live in an area. Deforestation clears an area of forest, which means that the organisms that live in the cleared area have to move to other areas of the forest or die. This causes a reduction in biodiversity as there are fewer species of plants and animals in the cleared area of land. Deforestation may also cause some animals to become extinct.
Increase in Carbon Dioxide
Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, so an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to the enhanced greenhouse effect/ climate change. The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from deforestation happens for 2 reasons.
- The first reason is because forests are usually deforested using the slash and burn method. This method involves cutting down the vegetation, letting it dry out and then burning all of the dried material. The tress and vegetation are a store of carbon. When the trees and vegetation are burnt, they release this locked up carbon into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Also, when the forests are chopped down, microorganisms breakdown the dead vegetation (organic matter) – the microorganisms respire whilst breaking down the dead vegetation, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- The second reason is because trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis (the equation for photosynthesis is: carbon dioxide + water –> glucose + oxygen). The removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is then stored as carbon compounds in the trees and vegetation – we say that the trees and vegetation “lock up” the carbon; the trees and vegetation can lock up this carbon for many years. If there are fewer trees, less photosynthesis will take place, which means that less carbon dioxide will be removed from the atmosphere.
So, the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases for 2 reasons. The first is that carbon dioxide is released when trees and vegetation are burnt or left to be broken down by microorganisms. The second is that less carbon dioxide is taken in because there are fewer trees to engage in photosynthesis.
A Reduction in Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of different species that live in an area. Deforestation clears an area of forest, which means that the organisms that live in the cleared area have to move to other areas of the forest or die. This causes a reduction in biodiversity as there are fewer species of plants and animals in the cleared area of land. Deforestation may also cause some animals to become extinct.
Medical Implications
A loss of vegetation and organisms can have adverse medical implications. This is because plants contain many chemicals that could be used in drugs to treat illnesses. Deforestation may cause some organisms to become extinct, which will reduce our chances of finding new chemicals for drugs.
Other Effects
Here are a few other effects of deforestation.
Most of the effects of deforestation are negative. Many environmental groups and governments are asking for the rate of deforestation to fall/ become more sustainable. Some are asking for forests to be replanted (reforestation or afforestation). Individuals can help to reduce deforestation by demanding fewer products that the deforested land is being used for. For example, most of the deforested land is being used to grow cash crops (palm oil) or raise cattle. If the demand for palm oil and beef fell, then less land would be required for the production of these goods, thus reducing the rate of deforestation.
A loss of vegetation and organisms can have adverse medical implications. This is because plants contain many chemicals that could be used in drugs to treat illnesses. Deforestation may cause some organisms to become extinct, which will reduce our chances of finding new chemicals for drugs.
Other Effects
Here are a few other effects of deforestation.
- Soil erosion increases when trees are cut down. Tree roots hold soil together and prevent it being washed away during heavy rain. However, after deforestation, there are no tree roots to hold the soil together, so soil is washed away. The washed away soil can end up in rivers, which restricts the flow of water as the riverbed is raised – this can result in flooding. Wildlife that lives in the river or rely on the river can die as a result. Soil washed into rivers can also make the water undrinkable. Furthermore, as the soil is washed away, so too is the nutrients in the soil, which can make it harder for vegetation to grow.
- After deforestation, rainwater will fall on the ground rather than on vegetation. Also, no water will be absorbed by the roots of vegetation. Both of these factors mean that there is an increased chance of flooding.
- Soil becomes less fertile. This is because there are no dead animals and vegetation for decomposers to breakdown and recycle the nutrients back into the soil. Farmers can overcome the lack of nutrients in soil by spraying fertilisers on crops, but these fertilisers can have negative effects.
- One positive of deforestation is that it can provide jobs for locals and can be a way for some countries to develop.
Most of the effects of deforestation are negative. Many environmental groups and governments are asking for the rate of deforestation to fall/ become more sustainable. Some are asking for forests to be replanted (reforestation or afforestation). Individuals can help to reduce deforestation by demanding fewer products that the deforested land is being used for. For example, most of the deforested land is being used to grow cash crops (palm oil) or raise cattle. If the demand for palm oil and beef fell, then less land would be required for the production of these goods, thus reducing the rate of deforestation.
Peatbogs
Peatbogs are mainly found in Northern Europe particularly in the UK and Scandinavia. A peatbog is shown in the image below.
Peatbogs are mainly found in Northern Europe particularly in the UK and Scandinavia. A peatbog is shown in the image below.
Peatbogs are areas of land that are acidic and waterlogged. When plants in the peatbogs die, they are not broken down properly by microorganisms as there is not enough oxygen for the microorganisms to respire. There is not enough oxygen because the peatbogs are waterlogged. The partly broken down vegetation builds up overtime creating peat, which is a store of carbon.
However, peatbogs are being destroyed for a variety of different reasons. One reason is so that the land that the peatbogs are on can be used for farming (growing crops or rearing animals). Another reason is for fuel; the peat can be burnt to release energy. A final reason is that peat can be used by farmers and gardeners as fertilisers because it is high in nutrients.
Peatbogs are usually destroyed by being drained. The draining of peatbogs results in more oxygen in the peat, which means that there is plenty of oxygen available for microorganisms to respire and breakdown the peat, which releases carbon dioxide – carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect/ climate change. Furthermore, carbon dioxide is released if the peatbogs are burnt to clear the land or if peat is burnt as a fuel.
The destroying of peatbogs results in a decrease in biodiversity as the vegetation, animals and microorganisms that live in the peatbog have no place to live when the peatbog has been cleared.
However, peatbogs are being destroyed for a variety of different reasons. One reason is so that the land that the peatbogs are on can be used for farming (growing crops or rearing animals). Another reason is for fuel; the peat can be burnt to release energy. A final reason is that peat can be used by farmers and gardeners as fertilisers because it is high in nutrients.
Peatbogs are usually destroyed by being drained. The draining of peatbogs results in more oxygen in the peat, which means that there is plenty of oxygen available for microorganisms to respire and breakdown the peat, which releases carbon dioxide – carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect/ climate change. Furthermore, carbon dioxide is released if the peatbogs are burnt to clear the land or if peat is burnt as a fuel.
The destroying of peatbogs results in a decrease in biodiversity as the vegetation, animals and microorganisms that live in the peatbog have no place to live when the peatbog has been cleared.