| Many of the earth's most delicate ecosystems have | | | | humus topsoil in tropical rain forests is known to be |
| been affected by rampant and irresponsible | | | | very thin and lacking in nutrients, so when |
| deforestation. Although the dire effects are well | | | | deforestation occurs, the topsoil that is left behind is |
| known and documented by researches around the | | | | very vulnerable and will tend to wash away and |
| world, deforestation still persists by those who wish | | | | erode easily. After deforestation in tropical rain |
| to flout the law. Why are forest ecosystems so | | | | forests, the only thing left is very poor nutrient, hard, |
| valuable and what are the effects of deforestation in | | | | clay-like subsoil that is not rich enough to sustain |
| our world? | | | | most forms of agriculture. |
| Among the ecosystems that currently exist, forest | | | | Sediments that are washed away eventually enter |
| ecosystem have been widely recognized as one of | | | | our drains, streams and rivers. These eroding |
| the most efficient and delicate on earth. Forests are | | | | sediments are often responsible for clogging up |
| important ecosystems because they hold many | | | | water channel leading to the problem of flooding. Soil |
| important nutrients and help to recycle nutrients too. | | | | erosion upsets surrounding ecosystems and has been |
| They are also important because they absorb and | | | | known to be responsible for killing off the fishes and |
| hold water thus making them a very rich and porous | | | | flooding reservoirs. |
| humus topsoil. | | | | However despite all the ill effects, deforestation still |
| Deforestation happens when trees are cut down on | | | | happens around the world at alarming rates, especially |
| a wide scale. This will lead to widespread disruption of | | | | in developing countries. A survey carried out by the |
| a forest ecosystem. When a forest is cleared, the | | | | United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization |
| humus rich topsoil is left exposed leading to a number | | | | estimates that 33.8 million trees were cleared |
| of dire consequences. The rain that falls on the | | | | between 1990 and 1995 in developing countries. That |
| exposed soil converts that rich topsoil into a | | | | area would be 3 times the size of France! Why? |
| sealed-off soil that is moist and muddy. It causes the | | | | What is happening? It is because forests are ready |
| soil to be washed easily into waterways. What is left | | | | source of timber and wealth and after the forests |
| behind is poor subsoil that leaves the land vulnerable | | | | are cleared, there's room for agriculture. Most of the |
| to more natural erosion. In other words, | | | | agriculture is directed the to the planting of cash |
| deforestation leads to massive soil and land erosion. | | | | crops and grass and other crops to support greater |
| When deforestation happens in tropical rain forests | | | | beef promotion. |
| the effects are more devastating. It is because | | | | |