CONVERSION OF GRASSLANDS TO CROPLANDS
There appears fewer studies on the effects of grassland to cropland conversion than on the forest to cropland conversions which has been studied in much more detail. For example, many soils in Africa under cereal crops were grasslands before they were cultivated. Conversion of these grassland has caused a decline in soil organic Carbon This decline reduced the nutrient stocks and resulted in the off-site effect of increased water and wind erosion. The large scale conversion of grassland in the central plains to cropland caused severe soil erosion reported by Uzoho et al, (2007).
2.2.3 CONVERSION OF COASTAL WETLANDS
Dent and Pons, (1995) reported that in coastal wetlands with tidal swamps and inland marshes
…show more content…
This view is based on two ideas: first, that as more land is used in agricultural production, less land remains for wildlife or other environmental purposes; and second, that less productive agricultural lands are particularly susceptible to environmental damages. The loss of forests and other areas to crop production may be critical in developing countries with expanding cropland …show more content…
“Seventy percent of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes.” The trees of the rainforest that provide shelter for some species also provide the canopy that regulates the temperature, a necessity for many others. Its removal through deforestation would allow a more drastic temperature variation from day to night, much like a desert, which could prove fatal for current
Deforestation plays a big role in global warming. The “land use connection” referred to as “land use changes” is a huge contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Land use change involves all the destructions of land in order to produce and distribute food. Every year rainforests are demolished for agriculture intentions. “The biggest factors are the destruction of vital rainforests through burning and clearing and the elimination of wetlands” (Lappe 753). Deforestation of these habitats leads to the discharge carbon dioxide into the environment.
Brazil’s rainforests and America’s rainforests are great examples of the negative effect that deforestation has on these specific areas. One of the rising challenges in our rapidly growing world is the destruction of rainforests and how it is slowly ruining the world that we live in. Deforestation has a lot of destructive impacts on the environment that is surrounding us, one of the most important being its effect on the climate. The fast rise in the world’s population, calling for high demand of resources, is only hastening the effects of deforestation, which can hopefully be put an end to through the enforcement of a handful of simple, key, and sustainable solutions.
Over half of the world’s forests have been destroyed in the last 10,000 years. An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property could be thought to help “benefit” the economic or environmental aspects of daily life, but the society is clueless on the harm it is causing. Nearly half of the Earth's original forest cover has already been lost and each year an additional 32 million acres are destroyed. Our world is facing the greatest extinction crisis since the fall of the dinosaurs, 65 million years ago. The future of many of Earth's plants and animals will be determined within the next few decades. Hopefully, it comes as no great surprise to you that deforestation is a major problem in many areas of the world, both in terms of
The many advantages trees have on earth is immense, when trees are lost it affects the worlds atmosphere and air quality. Trees are home to many ecosystems, they give shelter and food to the animals in their community, but they are being taken down. Animals without homes are more vulnerable to predators and hunters, and it is all a disruption to the ecosystem. Once taken down, the increase in greenhouse gasses rise,” Forests help to migrate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, but they become carbon sources” (Kerry Cesareo), much of these gasses have an impact in rising temperatures. The water cycle is also an important role in the rainforest and it has also been disrupted by deforestation. Erosion of soil,” And as fertile soil washes away, agricultural producers move on, clearing more forest and continuing
Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they act as a carbon sink soaking up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing changes in climate patterns. Deforestation undermines this important carbon sink function. It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the
Three to six billion trees are cut down each and every year! Deforestation is a huge problem in the rainforests. Because these forests are home to much of the Earth’s species of life. Covering 30 percent of our land forests provide homes, protection, and oxygen for humans and other wildlife in the forests. There are 7.125 billion people that count on the benefits provided by the forest, which is: food, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter. If something isn 't done soon to reduce our carbon footprint, we will not have forests of any type to soak up the carbon dioxide(CO2) in the atmosphere.
No-till farming limits the amount of anthropogenic involvement, which can contribute to the degradation soil by exposing the upper soil horizon, re-introducing noxious weeds to germination, allowing for leeching and erosion of topsoil which is already in short demand. This paper discusses the benefits of no-till farming with comparisons and studies that suggest the benefits of the no-till system. This paper takes an in depth look at the history of tillage, as well as the topics of nutrients, mulch and stabilization, habitat, aggregation and aeration, and the nutrient cycle. Although in some cases tillage may have similar results when compared to the no-till system, implementation of the right cover crop on a given soil reduces evaporation, limits water and nutrient leeching, builds or enhances the soil ecosystem which has the potential to promote better plant nutrient absorption.
There are several world changing events happening right now. However, many of these events are either forgotten or rarely discussed. One of these “forgotten” events is the deforestation of the rainforests. Rainforest deforestation primarily started in the 1970’s, but has since increased. Up until recently, deforestation of rainforests was seldom talked about despite how much it has affected the world. Rainforest deforestation needs more attention because it has occurred for many decades despite the environmental damage, the rainforest is important for the economy, food, and medicinal purposes, it has many adverse effects such as climate change, and there are several projects to reduce deforestation.
Advocates for the preservation of these forests state that deforestation has devastating consequences including social conflict, extinction of plants and animals, and dangerous climate changes, and that local deforestation in these forests are causing damages that aren’t just local, but global. While opponents claim that tropical forests are destined to diminish as it is necessary for the growing human population to clear the natural landscape to make room for farms and pastures, to harvest timber for construction and fuel, to build roads and urban areas and to develop the economies of the often poor countries that surround the equator.
The tropical Rainforest is a forest of tall trees in an area of warmth during the whole year. On average, 125 – 660 cm of rain falls annually. Rain forests belong to the wet climate group. The temperature inside a rainforest will more than likely not get over 34 degrees, or drop below 20 degrees. Humidity in the tropical areas is in the high 70’s and low 80’s. Almost all rainforests are close to the equator if not through the equator. Rainforests now only cover less than 6% of Earths surface area. This causing deforestation and endangering species towards extinction. Rainforests that are tropical produce more than 40% of the oxygen on Earth. A rainforest has the most unique trees than any area other biome in the world. Scientists have discovered
Large forests are destroyed for raising beef, lumbering, and use of wood for clear cutting for crops or profit (Cooney). Wood has been in a huge demand for several centuries to build houses and buildings. However, this is causing other animals losing their shelter and habitat in forest. The topsoil has been wearing off from the soil which is creating soil erosion. Topsoil contains all the healthy nutritions that will make the soil fertile. Plants needs this fertilization and all the proper nutritions in soil to grow. However, water erosion in soil is causing soil erosion. Which is creating the land a desert where no one can live.
Rainforests are one of the biggest victims to biodiversity loss and deforestation. They cover only 7% of the world's surface but house about half of all the plant and animal species on the earth. If human manufactured deforestation occurs in the rainforests many of the smaller more secluded species are at high risk for extinction. Some animals only live in certain portions of the rainforest and if that certain part is taken out, so is that species.
We should save the animals homes so they don't go extinct like mammoths did. Also would you like it if we just destroyed your home for a roar or a mine. The animals could die because we cut down the trees and maybe there food was on the trees are in them and in 82 years if we continue at this rate the trees will be all gone and there will be no rainforest. We will also lose some of the things we need like the animals. The animal and us will lose a lot of air and it will get hotter and harder to
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year. The amount of water saturation plays a tremendous role in determining soil development and the wildlife communities interacting with it, both terrestrial and aquatic. Abiotic and biotic factors such as topography, climate, vegetation, and human disturbance give way to a wide variety of wetlands, but for the most part can be generalized into two main categories. Tidal wetlands are those found close to an ocean and are linked with estuaries, providing an environment with fluctuating salinities. The combination of salt water and differing water levels from tides create a harsh habitat for most plants. However, some species are able to thrive in
The pie chart shows the four main causes of decreasing crops of agricultural land globally. 65% causes is due to destroying original plants which means over-grazing and destroying forests, constituting 35% and 30% respectively. 28%of global degradation is caused by over-cultivation. While only 7% can be attributed to other factors.