Deforestation in Africa
Deforestation in Africa is a major problem. In Africa deforestation is 4 times the world average. If deforestation continues at this rate it will more than likely turn into a desert in just a few decades. You might be wondering why they would want to cut down trees if it would just end up becoming a desert. The following are some reasons for deforestation:
1.) Demand for land for cultivation
2.) Need for firewood
3.) Need for land to build industries
4.) Need for land to build houses
5.) Need for wood for furniture, pencil, paper, and etc…..
Even though these are good reasons for deforestation it does not excuse the fact that 90% of West Africa’s forests have been cut down. Only 22.8% of West Africa’s moist forests remain. Nigeria has even lost 81% of its old growth forests in just 15 years. Some problems with deforestation are the following:
1.) Destruction of carbon sinks
2.) Soil erosion
3.) Destruction of animal habitats
4.) Destruction of medical plants
5.) Trees that act as windbreakers disappear
6.) Greenhouse effect & global warming
Destroying the forest is very destructive and fast. At the start of the 20th century around 420,000 km or 35% of Ethiopia was covered with forests. In 2005 the forest coverage was between 11.9% – 14.2%. Between 1990 and 2005 the country lost 14% of its forest or 21,000km. Even Madagascar has been affected by deforestation. Since the arrival of humans 2000 years ago Madagascar has lost 90% of its forest. Some countries with deforestation problems are listed below with their annual deforestation rate.
1.) Madagascar: -0.9% 2) Sudan: -1.4%
3.) Comoros: -4.3% 4.) Uganda: -2.0%
5.) Ethiopia: -0.8% 6.) Liberia: - 2.0%
However there are ways you can help. One country in Africa, Tunisia, actually had an increase in 0.2%. The following are some ways you can help and stop deforestation:
1.) For every tree you cut down plant 2
2.) Make quick growing plants for furniture and paper products
3.) Teach kids about deforestation to prepare for the future
4.) Enact& enforce global deforestation laws
5.) Use different sources of energy such as solar and wind power
1.) Demand for land for cultivation
2.) Need for firewood
3.) Need for land to build industries
4.) Need for land to build houses
5.) Need for wood for furniture, pencil, paper, and etc…..
Even though these are good reasons for deforestation it does not excuse the fact that 90% of West Africa’s forests have been cut down. Only 22.8% of West Africa’s moist forests remain. Nigeria has even lost 81% of its old growth forests in just 15 years. Some problems with deforestation are the following:
1.) Destruction of carbon sinks
2.) Soil erosion
3.) Destruction of animal habitats
4.) Destruction of medical plants
5.) Trees that act as windbreakers disappear
6.) Greenhouse effect & global warming
Destroying the forest is very destructive and fast. At the start of the 20th century around 420,000 km or 35% of Ethiopia was covered with forests. In 2005 the forest coverage was between 11.9% – 14.2%. Between 1990 and 2005 the country lost 14% of its forest or 21,000km. Even Madagascar has been affected by deforestation. Since the arrival of humans 2000 years ago Madagascar has lost 90% of its forest. Some countries with deforestation problems are listed below with their annual deforestation rate.
1.) Madagascar: -0.9% 2) Sudan: -1.4%
3.) Comoros: -4.3% 4.) Uganda: -2.0%
5.) Ethiopia: -0.8% 6.) Liberia: - 2.0%
However there are ways you can help. One country in Africa, Tunisia, actually had an increase in 0.2%. The following are some ways you can help and stop deforestation:
1.) For every tree you cut down plant 2
2.) Make quick growing plants for furniture and paper products
3.) Teach kids about deforestation to prepare for the future
4.) Enact& enforce global deforestation laws
5.) Use different sources of energy such as solar and wind power