Forests are considered as the lung of the earth. These splendid ecosystems are the most crucial part of our planet that balances the environmental stability and keeps the earth alive. More than 50% of all terrestrial species of the world are inhabitants of forests. According to a study, over two-fifth of the earth's surface area was covered with forests in the past. Unfortunately, now more than one-third of the forests have been demolished by humans.
Due to unsustainable agriculture, the industrial revolution, urbanization, logging, and mining, the destruction has been reached an alarming rate. If the current rate of deforestation continues, all tropical rainforests will be no more, just within a century. Deforestation has started producing its results in the form of an increased number of incidents of soil erosion, increase in the frequency of floods, increase in temperature, extinction of many species, loss of soil fertility, etc. Saving forests is the only solution to save the world from getting annihilated.
Read on to find out the four best methods of forest conservation and forest restoration:
- Cutting of trees should follow scientific methods
Reckless cutting of trees has produced great damage to the earth. To resist deforestation, we should adopt scientific ways like a) Clearcutting, b) Selective cutting, and c) Shelterwood cutting.
Clearcutting is a part of the silvicultural system that is applied to remove all the trees from a significantly large area at one time. Clear-cut areas are then used to replant new trees.
Selective cutting is the cutting down of only the selected trees. In this process only matured trees are removed from a forested area. This process encourages the growth of the new stand of trees.
Often clear-cut areas face soil erosion, increased streamflow, and habitat disturbances. Shelterwood cutting is designed to avoid the negative impacts of clearcutting. This process requires the cutting of trees in a series. At first, a significant portion of the mature trees is cut from an area to provide seeds and shelter for the younger trees. The remaining mature trees are removed after the growth of the new trees.
- Farmers must adopt better farming practices
Overgrazing by cattle, shifting agriculture, slash and burn farming are detrimental to our environment. Innumerable forested lands were cleared for agriculture. According to a report, over 40 million sq km of forested land has been destroyed by 200 million tribal in Africa, Asia, and South America. Beef production has also become one of the major causes of the annihilation of forests. In Brazil, large areas of forests are being used as pastures for cattle grazing. It has been discovered that cattle ranching contributes to 70% of deforestation in the Amazon basin. To protect forests, these unscientific processes should be checked and substitute means should be designed. Jhoom farming is a farming method that can be employed to resist deforestation and to make lands fertile. As forests are being ruined by cattle production, you may choose a vegan diet. Whether they take an active part in forest preservation or not, vegan people contribute a lot to the preservation of forests.
- Forestation by planting a lot of trees
Reforestation and afforestation are the most important parts of the solution to combat a lot of environmental problems that the earth is facing today. Forest restoration helps in providing the necessary habitat for many threatened and endangered species. To take immediate action against deforestation, you should start planting trees as much as possible. If you are unable to plant by yourself, you may donate to the non-profit NGOs that provide monetary support and organizational assistance to run several conservation efforts. Educate kids about forest ecosystems and take them to visit forests. If the world's future citizens think of themselves as a part of nature, they will feel the urge to preserve forests.
- The function of the Government in forest conservation
Forests are considered as perennial resources of a country. Therefore, the Government of all nations should execute rules and laws to protect forests. ‘Forest Conservation Act 1980’ is one such law implemented by the Indian Government to save forests. The law should strongly deal with the illegal felling of trees. Scientific methods should be applied to preserve forests from fire, mining, and other natural calamities. Climate change investing and funding for environmental projects can help in the revival of forests. Countries earn a considerable amount of foreign exchange from tourist centers. That is why many countries are using forests as national parks and game sanctuaries. This is a smart way of forest conservation.
Closing Words
The restoration of forests cannot be done in a day. We all should work together to preserve forests taking keen and firm steps to get favorable results.
Remember, this is not a choice but a necessity to do so. If forests survive, life will stay on this planet. Otherwise, it will be all deserted.
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