Deforestation of the Pacific Northwest
One of the most controversial areas associated with the global problem of deforestation is the Pacific Northwest of the US. The problem can be broken down into several issues that all tie in together. These include the near extinction of the Northern Spotted Owl, the "business" aspect of logging versus the environmental aspect, and the role of the government in this problem. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed. This enabled the
Dept. of Commerce and Dept. of the Interior to place species, either land or marine, as either threatened or endangered. Under these terms species could no longer be hunted, collected, injured or killed. The northern spotted owl falls
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Seeing an animal in an artificial environment can certainly not be compared to witnessing an animal in its' natural environment. In my opinion, there can be no price put on the existence of any species on this planet, plant or animal. To think that money has become such an influential part of our society that companies are willing to sacrifice a species in order to make a profit. The northern spotted owl is only one of many species that are on the verge of extinction do to deforestation. Another important consideration in the deforestation of the Pacific North Coast is logging as a business. The investors of a publicly owned company sole concern is the growth of their stock, and this for lumber companies is accomplished by harvesting trees in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Clear-cutting old growth is the best way to accomplish this. This approach leads to quick financial gain but is not best for the long-term or the trees. It is the companies that use this process that is the most unfavorable to the forests and contributes to deforestation the most. Another approach uses wise management techniques to maximize the long-term profit of the forest. Guest speaker Jerry
Howe would fall into this category as a private land owner. As a land
"steward," he believes he can do what he wants with his land. The term
"steward" is used
Burrowing owls are not at the top of the food chain, which makes them prey for other animals.
Small changes do contribute globally. For instance, deforestation disrupts habitats and the greenhouse gases being absorbed, which means those gases make their way up into the atmosphere. That eventually results in ocean acidification, less carbon sinks means more carbon is present in the atmosphere which means the oceans PH balance is thrown off and that can harm a large portion of sea life. Deforestation drives climate change because forest floors are usually moist, but without the protection of trees this soil dries up. Dry soil isn't healthy or suitable for plant growth, no healthy plants growing means no healthy enviornment. Without the help of the trees, forest lands can quickly become barren deserts. With the cutting of trees everything in the climate systems seems to be affected.
"steward" is used to mean that no one can truly "own" the land, it can only be
Did you know that Idaho was recently ranked second in the nation for poor air quality? This problem can be attributed to pollution and other issues that continue to plague Idaho. Pollution is the entrance of foreign or harmful chemicals or other wastes into an environment. One of the main causes of pollution in Idaho is excessive smoke from burning leaves, firewood, and other substances. Water contaminants also contribute a great deal to pollution. Most contaminated water in Idaho is caused by mining. Deforestation is another issue in Idaho, and it is the loss of natural habitat by human developments, whether it be urban growth, mines, logging, or factories. All of these causes
Just about anyone who has heard about the plight of endangered species has heard of the spotted owls, as they became one of the poster animals for it back in the 1990s when these birds were put on the threatened species list during the adventure of the Timber Wars of the Northwest. The loggers wanted to cut down trees where the spotted owls lived, and they couldn’t due to the owls living in them.
Since earth was created, there has been a natural phenomenon of species across the globe appearing and disappearing. However, in the past century, many species of animals have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Mainly, this rapidly occurring issue is caused by humans. Humans that contribute to the harmful actions that cause side effects such a pollution, deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. The natural rate of extinction pales in comparison to the extinction rate caused by all of these. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the current rate of extinction is 11,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Several different efforts have been made in order to stop or slow down the extinction of earth’s species. The Endangered Species Act is possibly the most successful example of these efforts. It’s main purpose is to get a commitment from the American people that they will work hand in hand to help save species that are at risk of becoming extinct and never returning. This act was put in place in 1973 and since then, no other law about the disappearance of wildlife has been quite as accomplished. Many different species that are protected under this law are either fully recovered or on their way to becoming safer. Laws like these are helping many different creatures left and right, however, at the alarming rate that they are disappearing, something else needs to be done. What people don’t seem to realize is that we depend on many of the animals that we are
Vancouver has a really big deforestation problem because they need more room and wood to make house for the people that live there. It's not just homes people need furniture and many products made from wood and because of the population increased people have to cut down a lot of forest. With in/around the last 50 years or so the Vancouvers deforestation has been catastrophic. Most of Vancouver Island has been converted from vibrant forests to young tree farms that do not sustain the natural range of species. Lack of lichen growing on old boreal trees is one of the reasons that almost all of Canada's woodland caribou herds are currently predicted to die out before the next century. Because of deforestation the climate in vancouver has change
Australia Environmental problems- In Australia there’s several different factors that contribute to the economic downfall. Deforestation, and overfishing are two of the factors. Deforestation is default that affects so many areas around the world. 18 million acres of forest are lost each year because of deforestation.
Deforestation is the clearing of a forest and/or cutting down of trees for human benefits such as agriculture, wood exports, etc. Deforestation is the cause of numerous environmental impacts such as habitat loss, flooding and soil erosion. It can also cause climate change, by reducing the amount of rainfall and changing the amount of sunlight reflected from Earth’s surface and increases the risk of forest . Tree growth is important for biodiversity because they absorb carbon dioxide which is a harmful greenhouse gas . However, since deforestation reduces natural carbon sinks, it disrupts the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air causing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air to increase. This poses a serious
What is happening to the Earth? Our home is becoming a barren mass of sorrow. Most people in America are blind to what is going on. Could it be that every individual is just turning a cheek the other way. America is faced with an extremely serious problem, and if it is not acted upon there will be nothing left on Earth. Hopefully it will still be able to thrive after the numerous accounts of human destruction. Deforestation in America is a huge problem with devastating affects to humans. The root causes of this travesty are mainly the ongoing need to increase America's economic growth, and the idea of frontierism. These two aspects of deforestation tie together well. Together they help define the thought process that Americans have
The affect of environmental issues occur everyday and in particular deforestation is becoming a highly ranked subject. From animals to the human race, the alacrity of trees that are cut down affects every individual in a variety of ways. Not only do people need to help the planet but they need to help themselves and further generations to come, such as children and grandchildren because these natural resources that are being taken away from society are as well shaping the future. For comprehensible reasons, forests use to make up the world, until man made creatures started to destroy and destruct the most important supply to human kind which are trees. Trees are crucial to every living entity for the reason of providing oxygen to all.
Environmental issues affect every life on this planet from the smallest parasite to the human race. There are many resources that humans and animal needs to survive; some of the most obvious resources come from the forests. Forests make up a large percentage of the globe. The forests have global implications not just on life but on the quality of it. Trees improve the quality of the air that species breath, determine rainfall and replenish the atmosphere. The wood from the forests are used everyday form many useful resources. Moreover, thinning the forests increases the amount of available light, nutrients and water for the remaining trees. Deforestation (forest thinning) is one of the most
Deforestation is a global environmental threat the planet is currently experiencing. Deforestation in tropical rainforests is especially problematic as they are home to a myriad of important plant and animal species. The rich biodiversity found in these environments are needed, as we rely heavily on the ecological services they provide for us. Forest exports, cattle ranching, and international corporations and agencies are a few factors and actors to this issue. It is important to consider these economic and political factors if we wish to establish appropriate governance. Although the mass clearing of trees is regarded as essential for economic development, deforestation will have detrimental consequences for the international community and thus requires serious global governance.
Deforestation is one of the most significant issues of our time; considerable measures must be taken to prevent further pillaging of our unique forest resource.
Deforestation is a major global problem with serious consequences to the planet. These consequences have a negative effect on the climate, biodiversity, the atmosphere and threatens the cultural and physical survival of life. Deforestation is the permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands. It has resulted in the reduction of indigenous forests to four-fifths of their pre-agricultural area, so that now indigenous forests cover only 21% of the earth's land surface. The world Resources Institute regards deforestation as one of the worlds most pressing land use problem.