course hero what are the causes of deforestation in south asia?

What Are The Causes Of Deforestation In South Asia? Land clearing for agriculture is the main cause of deforestation. Driven by booming global demand oil palm plantations have spread into formerly forested land especially in Indonesia and Malaysia which are the world’s largest producers.

Full Answer

What is deforestation in agriculture?

In simple terms, deforestation is the clearing of a particular area such as a forest or stands of trees to make way for projects such as agriculture or development. Another cause is the cutting of trees by local people so as to cater for their building materials or for firewood needs. Long term effects are then felt when they don’t replant new ...

What is Deforestation?

This is the permanent destruction of forests so as to utilize the land or in most countries the trees. Deforestation is the clearing of trees without the aim of creating future growth. Unlike harvesting, insect infestations and forest fires are not considered as deforestation as the affected places, that is the trees will eventually grow back. In simple terms, deforestation is the clearing of a particular area such as a forest or stands of trees to make way for projects such as agriculture or development. Another cause is the cutting of trees by local people so as to cater for their building materials or for firewood needs. Long term effects are then felt when they don’t replant new trees so as to replace the ones they use.

How does deforestation affect the environment?

Inclusive of the loss of forests such as scenic or recreational sites, deforestation has caused a number of damaging side effects. Loss of tree cover has led to soil erosion as well as degradation. Streams and rivers that are situated close to deforested sites are becoming warmer and hold even less oxygen, pushing out fish amongst other organisms.

What is Southeast Asia known for?

Southeast Asia is well known for its massive rainforests that constitute almost 20 percent of the forest’s cover and considered to be the richest biodiversity in the world. However, the region is also famous for its frightening rate of deforestation. The region is ranked at the top for its highest rate of deforestation followed by Latin America and Africa. It is predicted that the region may have already lost roughly more than 50 percent of its original forest cover. Some of the prime rainforests within the region will be lost by 2022 together with the loss of wildlife habitats.

How does tropical deforestation affect the climate?

Long term effects. Tropical deforestation modifies the interactions between the surface that is the land and the atmosphere which then has an impact on the regional climate. Deforestation in South Asia that is in Southern India and Sri Lanka as well as Southeast Asia has led to warmer plus drier climatic conditions.

Why are rivers becoming dirty?

Waterways are also becoming dirty and silted due to soil erosion. Deforested land tends to lose its ability to absorb as well as store carbon dioxide, which is a crucial function of living trees, therefore subsidising climate change.

How much of the rainforest will be lost by 2022?

It is predicted that the region may have already lost roughly more than 50 percent of its original forest cover. Some of the prime rainforests within the region will be lost by 2022 together with the loss of wildlife habitats.