Deforestation and Its Causes:
A great variety of plants and animals exists on earth. They are essential for the wellbeing and survival of mankind. Today, a major threat to survival of these organisms is deforestation.
Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.
Trees in the forest are cut for some of the purposes mentioned below:
Some natural causes of deforestation are forest fires and severe droughts.
Consequences of Deforestation:
Deforestation increases the temperature and pollution level on the earth. It increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Ground water level also gets lowered. Deforestation disturbs the balance in nature. If cutting of trees continues, rainfall and the fertility of the soil will decrease.
Moreover, there will be increased chances of natural calamities such as floods and droughts.
Remember that plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall. This could cause droughts .
Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Physical properties of the soil get affected by plantation and vegetation. Fewer trees result in more soil erosion. Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil has less humus and is less fertile. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification .
Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground (infiltration rate) is reduced. So, there are floods. The other properties of the soil like nutrient content, texture, etc., also change because of deforestation.
Conservation of Forest and Wildlife:
To protect our flora and fauna and their habitats, protected areas called sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves have been earmarked. Plantation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting and poaching are prohibited there.
Sanctuary : Areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat.
National Park : Areas reserved for wild life where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources
Biosphere Reserve : Large areas of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area.
An example of Biosphere Reserve is Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve . Plants and animals found here are similar to those of the upper Himalayan peaks and to those belonging to the lower western ghats. Biodiversity found here is unique. Preserving areas of such biological importance make them a part of our national heritage.
Biosphere Reserve:
Biosphere reserves are the areas meant for conservation of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals and microorganisms generally found in an area. The biosphere reserves help to maintain the biodiversity and culture of that area. A biosphere reserve may also contain other protected areas in it. The Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of one national park named Satpura and two wildlife sanctuaries named Bori and Pachmarhi (Fig. 1).
Flora and Fauna:
The plants and animals found in a particular area are termed flora and fauna of that area.
Endemic Species:
Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area.
They are not naturally found anywhere else. A particular type of animal or plant may be endemic to a zone, a state or a country.
Sal and wild mango are two examples of the endemic flora of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are endemic fauna of this area.
Destruction of their habitat, increasing population and introduction of new species may affect the natural habitat of endemic species and endanger their existence.
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