Since 1990, the planet has lost 51.600 square kilometers of forests, a figure equivalent to the size of fairly large regions in Europe. This figure comes from the report on the evaluation of World Forest Resources 2015, published on 7 September in Durban, South Africa, during the XIV World Forestry Congress.
Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, the report's author, highlighted a positive trend in the slowdown in the pace of deforestation and carbon emissions from forests. He also mentioned an increase in capacities to manage forests sustainably. Between 2010 and 2015, global forest area grew at an annual rate of 0,08%, compared with 0,18% between 1990 and 2000.
Impact of deforestation on a global scale
Despite some progress in reforestation, the deforestation remains a major problem worldwide. According to the FAO report, the rate of net forest loss has fallen by 50%, but the agricultural expansion It remains the main cause, especially in tropical regions such as South America and Africa. This is mainly due to the increasing demand for agricultural products such as soybeans, palm oil and beef.
The case of Brazil is emblematic, as it is one of the countries most affected by deforestation, due to illegal logging and agricultural expansion. This country is home to a large part of the amazon forest, so its loss of forest cover has a global impact. Countries such as IndonesiaThey also face major problems related to the loss of their tropical forests, triggered by palm oil production.
On the other hand, there are countries like China that have managed to reverse the trend of forest loss by implementing reforestation policies. Despite this, the expansion of monocultures remains an emerging threat to biodiversity and forest ecosystems in many regions.
Relationship between agriculture and deforestation
It is indisputable that the commercial agriculture is one of the main drivers of deforestation. According to estimates by the IPCC, land use change, mainly driven by the conversion of forests to agricultural land, causes about 12% of all Emissions of greenhouse gases.
La agro-industrial expansion for crops such as soybeans and palm oil, as well as intensive livestock farming, contribute to the destruction of forests around the world. Especially in Latin America, agricultural expansion is one of the main causes of deforestation. In countries such as Brazil y Paraguay, large areas of the Great Chaco and Amazon have been destroyed for soybean crops and pastures.
In Brazil, the "Soybean Moratorium» in an attempt to stop the expansion of crops in areas of the Amazon rainforest. However, this moratorium has had limited success, as other ecosystems such as the Cerrado still face great pressure from agricultural expansion.
Africa and Asia: The expansion of monocultures and its consequences
The expansion of monocultures in Africa y Asia remains a critical issue. On these continents, monocultures of products such as palm oil in Indonesia y Malaysia have led to significant loss of rainforests. Indonesia has lost approximately 10 million hectares of forest since 2002.
Massive logging for agriculture and products such as paper pulp not only affects biodiversity, but also disrupts water cycles and releases large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. Deforestation in these regions also threatens several animal species, including the orangutan, whose survival is seriously compromised by the destruction of its habitat.
Environmental consequences of deforestation
The consequences of deforestation are not limited to the loss of trees. It goes much further, affecting both the the environment as well as human populations dependent on forests. Among the main consequences of deforestation are:
- Biodiversity loss: Forests are the richest terrestrial ecosystems in terms of biodiversity, hosting 80% of species. Deforestation threatens thousands of species.
- Soil erosion: Trees help hold soil in place. Loss of tree cover leaves soil susceptible to erosion, degrading its fertility.
- Impact on local communities: Around 1,6 billion people depend directly on forests. The loss of these resources severely affects their ability to survive.
- Carbon emissions: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2. Deforestation causes this stored carbon to be released into the atmosphere.
In addition, deforestation can also exacerbate the climatic events extremes. Since trees play a key role in the water cycle, forest loss can alter rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of droughts and storms in some regions.
Measures to stop deforestation
To combat deforestation, it is crucial to adopt a sustainable forest management and promote agricultural practices that minimize ecosystem destruction. Some key solutions promoted by organizations such as FAO and several international NGOs include:
- Reforestation policies and restoration of damaged ecosystems. Several countries are implementing large-scale reforestation programs to replenish areas affected by deforestation.
- Moratoriums and restrictions on illegal logging, such as the “Soy Moratorium” agreement in Brazil, although stricter measures are needed to ensure its effectiveness.
- Promote the certification of sustainable products that do not come from devastated areas. Certifications such as RSPO for palm oil help ensure responsible cultivation practices.
Globally, much remains to be done to stop forest destruction. Consumers have an important role to play in choosing responsible products and supporting causes that fight deforestation. However, the most significant efforts will come from international cooperation and corporate commitment to reduce their footprint on forest ecosystems.
Rising awareness of the environmental and social consequences of deforestation is driving global policy changes. Recent agreements in international conventions, such as the Paris Agreement, place forest protection as a central component in addressing the climate crisis and preserving biodiversity.