We are losing millions of hectares of our natural forests each year due to deforestation and wildfires. It may be hard to believe, but it’s true—deforestation is happening at an alarming rate and the environmental consequences are devastation. Wildlife is affected the most, indigenous communities living in isolation are also impacted and we bear the consequences of the large amount of carbon emissions heating the earth’s atmosphere.
Trees are valuable naturally medicinally, yet we have ignored how important they are and continue destroying forests for resources. The destruction of trees threatens entire ecosystems, exposing vulnerable species, and destroying food sources for wildlife—the negative effects of deforestation are far-reaching. In this article, we will discuss the devastating effects of deforestation, its impact on wildlife and their natural habitat, and how we can contribute to conservation efforts to save endangered species.
What Is Deforestation?
Deforestation is a cruel act against nature—it’s the mass destruction of trees over vast areas. Deforestation occurs due to human activities in nature, such as mining, commercial logging, rapid urbanization, and unsustainable agricultural practices. We continue to encroach on the natural habitats of wildlife, destroying ecosystems for gain, it would only get worse if conservation efforts are prioritized.
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most affected areas, losing forest cover due to deforestation. Reoccurring wildfires in recent years have also destroyed thousands of hectares in the region. Home to diverse species, the Amazon is currently under human attack as farmers continue to clear land for agriculture and livestock grazing.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an estimated 420 million hectares of forest have been destroyed since 1990. This level of destruction of natural forests has a long-lasting effect on ecosystems and global biodiversity.
Causes of Deforestation
Millions of hectares are destroyed globally every year due to the following causes:
- Agriculture: The search for fertile land drives deforestation. Farmers continue to clear large areas to grow crops and rear livestock.
- Logging: Commercial logging is profitable as it provides resources for construction, paper production, furniture, and more. It remains one of the major causes of deforestation.
- Mining and Drilling: Natural resources are abundant in forests. To extract these newly discovered resources, trees are destroyed which leads to more carbon emissions, damage to ecosystems, and biodiversity loss.
- Urbanization: Rapid urbanization is fast encroaching on the natural habitats of wildlife. Although we call it development, it’s an unsustainable act that threatens the existence of wildlife, especially endangered species.
- Wildfires: Wildfires, sometimes last for days, burn through forest cover, killing wildlife species, and destroying habitats. Illegal burning by humans remains one of the main causes of wildfires.
The Amazon rainforest has been largely destroyed in recent years. According to a 2020 report by Amazon Conservation, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest increased by 21% in that year alone. Globally, we have lost millions of hectares due to wildfires and illegal logging.
The Dire Consequences of Deforestation on Animals
Early humans once inhabited natural forests, but as we evolved and we moved into 21st-century homes in cities. However, some communities, particularly isolated indigenous tribes still live in and rely on forests for resources. Forests are the only habitats of wildlife, yet we are destroying a large portion of it each year.
Here are the five effects of deforestation on animals:
#1. Loss of Natural Habitat
Habitat loss is the most devastating effect of deforestation on wildlife. As more forest cover is destroyed, food sources become scarce, and vulnerable species are exposed to predators. Deforestation is reducing the number of endangered species in the wild. It disrupts ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss which has a significant effect on the environment.
The mass destruction of trees reduces food sources and shelter in the wild. This leads to wildlife getting close to human settlement, as seen more frequently with large omnivores like bears and wild boars. Destroying natural forests for resources takes its toll on wildlife. Deforestation leads to the destabilization of the entire ecosystem, from apex predators losing their hunting grounds to smaller species like birds and insects losing their nesting sites—the impact is nothing but devastating.
Wildlife populations suffer a decline as they lose forest cover. Some species are forced into smaller, isolated territories, which can lead to decreased breeding opportunities as well as genetic isolation.
Case Study: Wolves in North America
According to Gray Wolf Conservation, the wolf population in North America was once estimated at over two million roaming in the vast forest of the continent. Their numbers reduced as these wild species were hunted extensively in the United States during the 1960s. Habitat loss was also a factor as the wolf population in North America was reduced from an estimated two million to just a few thousand today. The remaining population are protected by conservation laws.
The decline in wolf population in the U.S. and Canada shows how habitat loss can force species to the brink of extinction. Deforestation limits hunting grounds for apex predators and leaves vulnerable species with fewer places to breed.
#2. Endangered and Extinction of Species
Deforestation affects the most vulnerable species in the wild. It threatens endangered species, destroying their shelter, limiting their breeding ground and reducing their population. Endangered species like orangutans, the African elephant, Sumatra tiger, mountain gorillas, and pandas are losing their natural habitats and food source.
According to a study by Professor Vaibhav Goel Bhartiya, deforestation is a leading factor in the endangerment and extinction of species globally. Large-scale deforestation disrupts wildlife breeding patterns and food chains. In Southeast Asia, orangutans and Sumatran tigers, among the most endangered species globally face extinction due to habitat loss caused by illegal logging, mining, and palm oil plantations.
The Plight of Orangutans in Indonesia
The Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra are home to the endangered orangutans. Their population is threatened by the palm oil industry which clears vast areas of forest, destroying their natural habitats and food sources. In 2019, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported that the Borneo orangutan population suffered a decline of over 60% in the last 50 years. This further shows the effects of deforestation on what is now one of the most endangered species in the world.
#3. Starvation Due to Loss of Food Source
Trees provide not just shelter but also a critical food source, particularly for herbivores and sometimes for omnivores. The destruction of trees disrupts the vegetation and smaller organisms that form the base of the food chain.
Starvation is a serious issue that affects the entire ecosystem. Herbivores need plants to feed on for survival and lack of food sources also affects the carnivores that depend on them for food.
How Deforestation Affects Tropical Rainforest Species
The Amazon, home to the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, is losing its forest cover by the year. Deforestation in the region threatens unique species native to the rainforest. Brazil’s jaguars and harpy eagles, for example, are apex predators that rely on smaller animals that feed on forest vegetation. When food sources become scarce due to deforestation, the entire ecosystem collapses, potentially leading to the extinction of many species.
#4. Increases Human-Wildlife Conflict
In North America, black bears visit homes and businesses more frequently in search of food or to cool off in pools during hot summer months. Coyotes, foxes, and cougars are showing up in people’s homes more often. Deforestation has reduced the physical distance between wildlife and humans, leading to increased human-wildlife interactions.
Wild animals roaming close to human settlements in search of food can be dangerous. These animals may attack adults or, even worse children. Farmers raising livestock are also affected, as some wild animals prey on livestock for food. Such human-wildlife interaction can lead to the mass hunting of these uninvited animals.
Wolves and Human Conflict in North America
Wolves in North America have roamed the continent for thousands of years. However, they were hunted across the United States in the 1960s, reducing their population to just a few thousand. This hunting was mostly in retaliation by farmers for livestock losses.
Today, thanks to a conservation law, the wolve population is thriving. However, deforestation continues to reduce the physical separation between these wild species and humans.
#5. Climate Change and Its Impact on Wildlife
The destruction of trees releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which is an accelerant for climate change. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns change, wild species are forced to either adapt or migrate to new habitats. Adapting to a new habitat can be challenging for some species due to the unsustainability of these new environments.
Climate change affects breeding patterns, migration routes, and food availability. According to a report, the melting ice cap is causing polar bears to expand their hunting grounds further into near human settlements.
The Ripple Effects of Climate Change
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that climate change is intensifying the negative effects of deforestation. The destruction of natural forests weakens the carbon sink which helps in mitigating rising global temperatures.
What Can We Do? Actionable Solutions to Combat Deforestation
Individual actions can drive change and help prevent the destruction of forests and the extinction of endangered species.
- Support Reforestation Efforts: Participate and support tree-planting initiatives, and consider donating to conservation efforts by organizations working to restore forests. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and One Tree Planted are groups focused on reforestation projects around the world.
- Choose Sustainable Products: Choose eco-friendly products certified by recognized organizations, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
- Reduce Paper and Wood Consumption: Go digital whenever possible to reduce paper use. If you must use paper, ensure it is recycled by taking it to a recycling facility. This will help reduce the rate at which raw materials are extracted from forests. Invest in furniture, flooring, and other building materials made from reclaimed wood or sustainably sourced wood.
- Donate to Wildlife Conservation Organizations: Support non-profit organizations that focus on protecting wildlife and restoring their natural habitats. Conservation International and Rainforest Trust are some of the organizations that need your support.
- Advocate for Strict Environmental Policies: Contact your local representatives to support legislation that protects nature from illegal logging, and mining, while promoting sustainable land use.
- Educate and Spread Awareness: Educating others on matters about conservation can make a significant impact. Spread the word on social media, community discussions, and so on.
Conclusion: A Call to Preserve Wildlife and Forest
Deforestation is driven by demand without regard for the environmental impacts. It wildlife, biodiversity, and the entire ecosystem. The consequences of deforestation are devastating—from habitat loss to starvation, and the effects of climate change, which disrupt breeding patterns, migration routes, ecosystems, and the food chain.
Take Action Today: Support reforestation projects, reduce paper consumption, and choose sustainably sourced products. Together, we can combat deforestation and protect our planet’s wildlife.