There are plenty out there, and it can be quite fun to explore the different looks, feels, and textures of these alternative papers! Cutting trees is an essential tool for creating habitat conditions for many wildlife species, especially game species. From fruit harvests to biological and botanical research. A network of access roads on former orangutan habitat that is now a palm oil concession in Indonesia. Left on its own, nature will not work in these directions. From fruit harvests to A diverse forest is a healthy forest. Weve already covered the way that trees remove CO2 from the air. Using less paper is becoming easier in this digital age, but it is often still a decision that must be consciously made. Heres How To Tell, 4 Maple Trees That Produce The Most Helicopter Seeds, 11 Best Plants To Plant Under Your Tulip Tree, Heres Why You Should Spray Your Christmas Tree With Water. The Tree Is No Longer Producing Fruit. For this reason, forests act like a giant filter. Immediate removal limits the. Trying to pull deforestation and climate change apart wont work.Trees, forest plants, and forest soils store huge amounts of carbon. On the other hand, if local people need the space to be used for something that supports an increased population, the results may be different. Careless tree removal and large-scale deforestation does adversely affect the environment and, indirectly, us. This is a situation where deforestation might not have as harsh of an impact. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We manage our forests to balance the benefits they offer, providing habitats for wildlife to thrive and spaces for people to enjoy. If youre looking for a clear example of someone on Christs side, why do you so quickly cut me out? Okay, lets expand a bit. 4. It just depends on who is taking what resources and using them for what reason. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. A negative that follows, even if the land is repurposed, is that deforestation destroys the natural environment that once stood in place of this newly barren landscape. Then plant one today: As well as combatting air pollution, trees have a role in combatting the negative impact of noise pollution. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. Social vs. medical egg freezing: Whats the difference? Sometimes it can be just as important to cut down a tree than it is to leave it be, but its not always easy to spot the reasons why. Here are 20 reasons why we should cut down trees: 1. Without the worlds forests, we wouldnt stand a chance. We suggest speaking to one of our tree surgeons in Manchester if youre wanting a second opinion. Deforestation is a common practice all over the world and is directly related to the need we have for wood-based resources. Cutting down sick, damaged or dangerous trees can actually be good for the environment and public safety, and it can benefit Nonprofit groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance certify products they consider sustainable, while the World Wildlife Fund has a palm oil scorecard for consumer brands. While there are beginning to be many alternatives to wood-based paper, that process is nowhere near complete. If that feels confusing, try to stick with us while we spell it out a bit. This site is owned and operated by Pest Pointers LLC | treejourney.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Whilst it may be easier to simply leave a dead tree this can actually cause many problems and in some circumstances can lead to serious injuries. There is certainly economic value in being able to grow new crops, raise livestock, build houses, and/or harvest a bunch of lumber to create more materials. 2. Prevents the Spread of Diseases and Infestations. Trees Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Oxygen We all know that humans (and almost all living things) need oxygen. Instead of losing sleep, both figuratively and literally, focus on the other ways you can make cutting your tree the most convenient, painless process! Cutting down trees also disrupts the water cycle, because tree roots normally ground the water and release it into the atmosphere. All rights reserved. The Effects of Cutting Down Trees on the Ecosystem Sciencing, In terms of climate change, cutting trees both adds carbon dioxide to the air and removes the ability to absorb existing carbon dioxide. When forests are looked after properly, they can provide a renewable source of wood forever. program! Clearing large swathes of trees with no intention of replanting is harmful to the environment. a vast majority of all species of land plants and animalslives in forests. Third, a managed forest can greatly enhance the financial value of trees. This is a negative impact of deforestation, though other impacts are certainly more helpful than harmful. And forestshold value that exists beyond use by anybody or anything, just by their very nature as forests. Before we explore the benefits of cutting down trees, we want to address a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding tree removal: How does cutting trees affect us and the environment? Help us plant 100.000 trees this year! Sixth, human population growth and demand for forest products and services are increasing. Over half of the worlds timber and almost three quarters of its paper is consumed by only about 20% of its population, mostly in the US, Europe, and Japan. And lastly, trees improve soil quality by pulling nutrients from deep under the ground up to the surface via the powerful action of their roots. We look after something like 133 million trees, and any one of them can be a potential danger to our staff or people enjoying the outdoors. This process can damage environments, but the negative effects can be prevented when it is done mindfully with efforts to help restore the environment. Its super easy and only takes 3 minutes. However, in heavily forested areas it can be as low as 0.05%. Forest conservation and reforestation make up the majority of arboreal jobs in the world. The festive event, Read More Heres Why You Should Spray Your Christmas Tree With WaterContinue, Your email address will not be published. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. While some people believe the best use See all of National Geographic's videos on deforestation here. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban sprawl as land is developed for homes. Find out about these ancient plants and why we are home to the largest collection of conifers in the world. It also may be at risk of losing limbs, causing excessive debris in When forests are cut, this powerful carbon sink is rendered useless. The Brazilian Amazon is an iconic battleground of these conflicts. As you can probably gather from the effects listed above,deforestation is a complex topic that can be beneficial when done correctly but harmful when done without the intention to rebuild deforested areas. First, we all use wood. The land is being repurposed for the good of the people, as opposed to being stripped clean without the replenishing of resources. Among the various reasons why people cut down trees are the following: to get the wood to build houses and furniture, to clear land for building, for manufacturing purposes and for aesthetics and convenience. Cutting your trees back is a brilliant step forward. Improves Forest Restoration Forests depend on cycles of life and death. This one isnt easy to spot and will often need the skills and expertise of a tree surgeon to identify. Up to80% of terrestrial biodiversityi.e. 3) It supports the lives of many species. However, conscious logging and modern tree removal, combined with strategic replanting efforts, not only offer an efficient collection of essential natural resources but also improve the forest habitat. A classic for a reason,reduce the waste you create, reuse what you can, and recycle that which you cannot. Thought we were done expanding? Tree removal goes by many names, including deadwooding, tree felling, forest clearance, land clearing and timber harvesting. There is also the imminent danger of disease caused by deforestation. The remaining trees will carry on growing and produce a good quality timber crop. Using deforested land to grow new crops can help replenish the soil and the ecosystem itself by allowing new plants to flourish. Trees can suffer many untreatable infestations and diseases. In countries where monitoring is difficult, up to 90% of timber exports are illegal. Well, in no particular order, here are 11 reasons that explain how important trees are. Thank you for taking the time to read this piece, and sticking with us as we work to help you help your trees. All the way from rainforest care to tree planting. By cutting down trees that have potentially been around for centuries, the complex balance of nature is heavily impacted. If the disease has spread too far you should contact a tree surgeon to look at it, and if necessary remove it, as leaving an infected tree can lead to a wealth of problems. 4. From the books we read and paper we write and draw on, to the furniture we sit, eat and sleep on. The information was not what I was looking for. Predictably, bad things followed. Therefore trees are crucial for maintaining optimum levels of humidity in our air. Its an everything issue. Through soil erosion, water sources, such as lakes and rivers, get polluted by silt, which decreases the quality of water and leads to health-related problems and a lack of drinkable water. WebThe 41-page, vividly illustrated picture book is a product of the U. S. Forest Services Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry and discusses why trees are sometimes felled. Web10. To protect the future of our forests we sometimes need to take drastic action. Every year, trees Branches can also cause physical Whether it is a business trip or your annual vacation: For every booking which begins on bedandtree.com, we plant one tree for free! Any problems we do spot are treated to control their spread and protect other trees. Without them, the very environments in which we live are at risk of becoming uninhabitable. In a world that is spending too much time looking down, not enough of us are looking up. Whether youre talking about a single sapling in your yard or acres of forest, many people view cutting down trees as harmful to the environment. For example, native people that live in or near rainforests and jungles tend to struggle when their home environment is quickly and severely altered by deforestation. Its usually relatively obvious when a tree has died and whilst it may not look particularly attractive, its doing no harm, right? Can you cut trees on your own? Thats why it can be tough to ask the questionwhywhen thinking about this practice. Why Is Cutting Down Trees Bad? Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its canopy, which blocks the suns rays during the day and retains heat at night. That disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals. Yet the effects of deforestation reach much farther. On the opposite note of the last section, an area where trees are cut down to allow for open space will still end up providing a ton of lumber that will be used in one way or another. Immediate removal limits the threat of a widespread infestation on your property. This is especially important if theyre near to places like a play area or walking trail. Plants create oxygen and absorb greenhouse WebTrees are living things that grow old and die. 10 minutes ago you mightve felt stressed out, worrying about work and your responsibilities but as soon as you enter the forest, its like entering a different world. WebDeforestation is the clearing, or cutting down, of forests. Trees produce oxygen: We need oxygen to breathe, and without it, we would die in minutes. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. The nation's forests are a great place to feel those autumnal vibes! Annals of the association of American Geographers,75(2), 163-184. Deforestation severely disrupts this cycle and can put our supplies of fresh water (which makes up just 3% of the planets total water) in jeopardy. Farming, grazing of livestock, mining, and drilling combined account for more than half of all deforestation. Again, this makes the soil much more nutritious for other plants (including crops). This is especially true of our current forests, which are results of extreme disturbance from the historic logging era. The word is normally used to describe the actions of humans in removing forests from the planet, rather than destruction caused by such natural events as hurricanes. Where might that wood be sourced from? They remove the greenhouse gas from the air and only disperse it back into the air if they are burned, or decomposed back into the earth. 6 Reasons Stopping Deforestation (Still) Matters - Greenpeace Since 1990, the world has lost more than 420 million hectares or about a billion acres of forest, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsmainly in Africa and South America. Between August 2012 and July 2013 deforestation increased by 28% compared with the previous year. Deforestation has lessened in the last few decades, but the rate at which we are losing forests and jungles is still quite alarming. Not only are natures CO2 filters being removed, but theyre often burned afterwards, releasing any carbon they were storing back into the atmosphere. What is it called when trees are cut down? 2022 Click A Tree GmbH. Forests provide irreplaceable ecosystem, cultural, and economic functions, some of which we know, others we havent even discovered yet. Its an additional bonus that they also produce oxygen as a bi-product. 5. Farmers may need to start growing more food, so theyll cut down trees to be able to plant more crops. The multitude of benefits and bounty from forests can only be obtained by managing for them. The Martin's Tree Service logo is a trademark of, how to cut down a tree from your property. We want it to be. But we can still save our forests. How, you may ask? Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. Careful removal of certain trees promotes diversity and can be the best way to, Trees can suffer many untreatable infestations and diseases. Often, deforestation occurs in remote lawless areas and is accompanied by human rights violations. 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