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The International Day of Forests is celebrated on the 21st of March. It is an opportunity to celebrate the forest in its diversity and highlight the challenges it faces, which is created by The United Nations. The purpose of this day is to celebrate the role of forests in the food system. Forests are home to more than half of the world’s animals, plants and insects. They contribute to the fight against climate change through their ability to transform carbon in the atmosphere.
What generally destroys forests ?
Forests are destroyed by various factors, both human-induced and natural :
Human Factors (the most destructive):
1.Agriculture: Agriculture accounts for 80% of global deforestation, with large-scale cultivation of crops like soybeans and oil palms leading to extensive forest clearing.
2.Livestock Farming: Livestock farming is the leading cause of deforestation, with land converted for cattle ranching accounting for 38% of forest loss. Between 2001 and 2015, pastures for cattle replaced 45 million hectares of forests.
3.Mining: The extraction of minerals and fossil fuels, such as oil, copper, and gold, is responsible for approximately 7% of global deforestation, according to the FAO.
4.Urbanization: The development of infrastructure, including roads, dams, and urban expansion, encroaches upon forested areas.
5.Logging: The overexploitation of wood resources, including for fuel, as well as illegal or unsustainable logging practices, contribute to forest degradation.
Natural Factors:
1.Wildfires: Fires, whether natural or human-induced, destroy millions of hectares of forests annually.
2.Storms and Hurricanes: Extreme weather events, such as storms and hurricanes, can cause significant damage to forests by uprooting trees and disrupting ecosystems.
3.Diseases and Pests: Infestations by destructive insects or diseases can weaken and kill trees, contributing to forest degradation.
4.Climate Change: Changes in climatic conditions, such as prolonged droughts and heatwaves, weaken forests and make them more vulnerable to other threats.
The destruction of forests leads to severe consequences, such as biodiversity loss, exacerbation of global warming, and disruption of water cycles. Therefore, it is crucial to implement protection measures and sustainable forest management to preserve these essential ecosystems.
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