Soil erosion is a natural occurance and affects all landforms. It is the wear and tear of the topsoil layer, caused by natural forces such as water, wind, or even farming activities like tillage. Topsoil that are high in organic materials, fertility, and soil life, is removed from its original location, moved elsewhere by nature’s forces, and either builds up over time, or fills in drainage channels. This reduces cropland productivity and contributes to water pollution. It can either a slow and unnoticed process, or a quick and alarming event that causes serious loss of topsoil. Such factors, along with low organic matter and fertility, poor drainage and salination, coupled with soil acidity problems, are soil degradation issues that speed up soil erosion. (Jim Ritter, 2012) Soil health is a primary concern especially to farmers and communities whose livelihood depends on well managed agriculture. Deforestation is one major cause of soil erosion. Without shelter from trees and other plants, and their strong roots holding on to the soil, erosion can occur and sweep land into rivers. Agricultural plants that replace natural forests often cannot hold onto the soil like trees can, and such plants can actually worsen erosion. As erosion takes away soil fertility, producers move on, clear more forest, and restarts the vicious cycle …show more content…
Although not all of deforestation can be stopped, it can be managed so that forests are sustainable, and we can still benefit from it, both economically and biologically. Worldwide wildlife organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy are working on these goals. They have created protected areas in many places, and have also set up measure to combat illegal logging. Forest management and reforestation efforts have been taking place. Bioenergy, which are energy generated from scrap wood, sugars, starch crops and algae are being aggressively promoted for use over biomass, to reduce reliance on forests. These measures have contributed to preserved environments for endangered species including the orangutan and the Borneo Pygmy Elephant. Countries like Paraguay have also reported reduced rates of deforestation. (WWF, n.d)
I feel that deforestation is a serious issue which desperately needs to be addressed. The efforts by the conservation organisations have improved the prospects of forests and have significantly reduced deforestation. But more need to be done, and we all play a part in it. It can be something as little as saving or recycling paper. If not, it is us who will bear the consequences. Many species of plants and animals will continue to go extinct, temperatures will continue to rise, ecological disasters will keep on happening. It is up to us to correct