Deforestation, Sustainable Agriculture, and Biodiversity
Deforestation and Its Impact on Land Resources
Deforestation refers to the cutting, clearing, and removal of rainforests or related ecosystems, transforming them into less bio-diverse ecosystems such as pasture, cropland, or plantations. The impact on land resources occurs when humans introduce harmful substances into the soil, water, or air through activities like surface mining, mineral resource extraction, underground mining, and agriculture.
Five Consequences of Deforestation:
- Loss of Biodiversity: Many plant and animal species have been lost, and many others are endangered.
- Soil Erosion: Tree roots anchor the soil. Without trees, the soil is easily washed or blown away, hindering vegetation growth.
- Increased Greenhouse Gases: The absence of trees allows a greater amount of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere.
- Water Cycle Disruption: Trees help regulate the water cycle, controlling the level of water in the atmosphere.
- Climate Imbalance: Deforestation affects the climate by reducing the amount of water vapor released into the air by trees.
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices with site-specific applications that, over the long term:
- Satisfies human food and fiber needs.
- Enhances environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends.
- Maximizes the efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources, integrating natural biological cycles and controls where appropriate.
- Sustains the economic viability of farm operations.
Three Changes for Sustainable Industrialized Agriculture:
To make industrialized agriculture more sustainable, the following changes are needed:
- Reduce reliance on synthetic inputs: Minimize the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
- Promote biodiversity: Encourage crop rotation, intercropping, and the integration of livestock to enhance ecosystem resilience.
- Improve soil health: Implement practices that enhance soil structure, organic matter content, and water retention.
Biodiversity: Definition, Decline, and Importance
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, describes the variety of life on Earth and all its natural processes. Biodiversity is declining due to human population growth, land use changes, and pollution.
Why Biodiversity Matters:
Each species has a specific function in an ecosystem. Some species capture energy, produce organic material, contribute to the nutritive system of the ecosystem, control soil erosion, protect against atmospheric pollution, and regulate the climate. Ecosystems improve resource production, such as soil fertility, plant pollination, and decomposition of organic matter. They also provide essential services like purifying air and water, moderating the climate, and controlling rain, drought, and other environmental disasters.
These functions are fundamental for human survival. The more varied the ecosystem, the greater the biodiversity, and the greater its resistance to environmental stress.