Aron Katosho
New Member
- May 30, 2024
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Deforestation and forest land degradation are critical environmental challenges with far-reaching consequences. Deforestation refers to the permanent removal of trees to make way for other land uses like agriculture, urbanization, or mining. Forest degradation, on the other hand, encompasses activities that reduce the quality of a forest without necessarily removing all the trees, such as unsustainable logging practices or livestock grazing.
Major drivers of both deforestation and degradation are human population growth increasing demand for resources and weak governance ([FAO, 2020]).
Why do human cut trees?
Because they demand forest natural resources. And as the population increase fuels the demand for resources perpetuating the cycle. Below are demanded resources in sectors cited from different studies and publications, other resources are irreplicable;
Agriculture: A significant driver is converting forests, complete clearing to farmland for annual crops like maize or subsistence farming (FAO, 2020; Wright et al., 2015).
Livestock: Slash-and-burn practices for temporary grazing pastures and wildfires for permanent pastures degrade forests (Alencar et al., 2019; World Wildlife Fund, 2021). Shifting cultivation also contributes (Mbilinyi et al., 2023). Constructing livestock compound involve extreme tree cutting, like in maasai land.
Development Projects: Clearing land for housing, schools, infrastructure like roads and railways, fragments forest and disrupts ecosystems (Song et al., 2021; Mbilinyi et al., 2023).
Mining: Expansion of mining operations destroys forests, as seen in the Selous Game Reserve (The Nature Conservancy, 2021).
Fuelwood: Unsustainable charcoal production is a major culprit, responsible for 80% of deforestation (Wiersum et al., 2023).
Building Materials: Collection of firewood, timber for construction poles for housing and livestock enclosures, is another significant factor (Weihua et al., 2020).
Furniture and Carvings: Logging of valuable trees for furniture making and traditional carvings threatens biodiversity (Balozi et al., 2023).
Other Wood based Products: Production of hand poles, paper, sealing boards, handmade woven and packaging materials also contributes (Balozi et al., 2023).
Vicious cycle
Forests play a vital role in regulating rainfall patterns and maintaining soil fertility. Deforestation disrupts these functions, leading to unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and soil erosion making agriculture, the primary source of income and food for many communities significantly more challenging. Erosion, reduced crop yields, and water scarcity all contribute to food insecurity and hunger. When agricultural productivity declines and limit water access due to deforestation, food insecurity becomes a major concern leading to extreme poverty, as communities struggle to afford food or lose income due to crop failures in turn, lead to further deforestation, creating a vicious cycle.
The problems are getting worse, people are still poor and can't escape poverty. Farms aren't doing well because land is degraded and infertile, there's no pollination, nutrients are washed away by rain, landslides are causing deaths, erosion is increasing and dividing land. Still washed away materials are causing floods, floods overflow riverbanks, people are displaced and forced to move to hills and mountains, this leads to more deforestation. What next? surface runoff increases, with no water to feed wetlands or rivers, this causes extreme evaporation, drying up rivers and killing wetlands, many animals disappear and become extinct.
This complex issue, demands immediate attention and is where native tree domestication becomes crucial. By identifying, collecting seeds from, and cultivating valuable native tree species of respective geographical ecology to contribute reversing these trends. Domesticated native trees be reintroduced into degraded landscapes, promoting ecosystem restoration and enhancing the resilience of forests facing future threats (Calvet et al., 2017]).
Dreamnature was founded for the community who are main victims of climate change impacts resulting from deforestation and forest land degradation. Climate change related impacts includes the physical environment, ecosystems and human societies.
EVIDENCES OF THESE IMPACTS DUE TO DEFFORESTATION AND LAND DEGRADATION.
Landslides, Loss of Life and Poverty
Studies show a clear link between deforestation and increased landslides. Areas with less forest cover experience more frequent and deadly landslides during heavy rains (Eberhardt et al., 2021; FAO, 2020). Without trees to absorb rainwater, flash floods and landslides become more frequent ([Eberhardt et al., 2021]).
Landslides triggered by deforestation destroy homes, displace communities, and cause fatalities, as tragically demonstrated by the 2017 Sierra Leone landslide (BBC News, 2017).
Landslides disrupt agriculture, destroying fertile land and crops, leading to food insecurity, malnutrition, and worsening poverty (Lasco et al., 2009). Damage vital infrastructure like roads and bridges, hindering access to markets and food aid, further impacting vulnerable populations (World Bank, 2017).
Food Production Under Threat
Deforestation disrupts rainfall patterns, leading to unpredictable weather and erratic water flow, droughts and floods, making agriculture difficult ([Läderach et al., 2018]). This, combined with increased surface runoff that washes away nutrients, threatens food security (FAO, 2020). Unreliable rainfall makes it difficult to plan planting cycles, and droughts can lead to crop failure (Läderach et al., 2018; URT, 2015).
Deforestation accelerates soil erosion, as heavy rains wash away fertile topsoil without trees to hold it in place. This nutrient loss combined with erratic rainfall significantly reduces agricultural productivity (Ngana et al., 2005).
A decline in pollinator populations, like bees and butterflies, due to deforestation disrupts fruit and seed production as many crops rely on these pollinators (Hoehn et al., 2014).
Decline of nitrogen fixing trees lead to farm degradation and soil infertility.
Drying Rivers and Catchment Areas, water Scarcity and Natural Disasters
Tanzania, a biodiversity hotspot, experiences habitat loss due to deforestation, pushing species towards extinction (Tanzania Forest Service, 2018).
This not only impacts the ecological balance but also disrupts tourism, a vital source of income for many communities.
Riverbank Erosion, Gully erosion and Deposition Lead to Flooding
Studies in Tanzania show a strong correlation between deforestation for agriculture and increased gully erosion (Wesenbeeck et al., 2017; Ndossi et al., 2015), reveal a link between deforestation and increased riverbank erosion (Mwangi et al., 2014). Tanzania experiences deforestation rates averaging around 400,000 hectares annually (United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, 2020).
Gully erosion fragments previously continuous farmland, reducing available land for cultivation (McConnell et al., 2017). Eroded soil loses fertility, leading to decreased crop yields, diverting rainwater away from natural infiltration zones, leading to water scarcity for communities (Ndezinga et al., 2013).
Erosion upstream leads to alluvial deposition, the accumulation of eroded sediments downstream, deposited sediments narrow river channels, causing water to overflow its banks and flood surrounding areas (Magigi et al., 2012). These floods displace families, destroy infrastructure, and cost millions annually (Meinzen-Dick and Mwangi, 2009; World Bank, 2012). Deforestation may alter weather patterns, potentially increasing the intensity of cyclones (Lasco et al., 2014; Li et al., 2016). Stronger storms and cyclones devastate coastal communities, causing flooding, displacing people, destroying infrastructure, and disrupting livelihoods (Kahn et al., 2019).
Can we give a hand of condolences by planting trees in those areas affected? Where river dried? Where gully erosion has expanded? Where flooding due to river deposition has increased? Where hills are becoming loose to cause landslide? Can we go where the river valley is increasing due to erosion?
If we only address temperature increase, in cold areas like Mbeya, Arusha, Iringa etc. Won’t understand. we need to plant trees with contribution to life. Can you say crops are drying due to surface runoff and drought in the society depending life on livestock, can we say there no water for animals and fodder to the society depending life on agriculture?
We cannot solve these problems with a single approach like changing to clean cooking only other drivers will work, or stopping the use of charcoal, you stop using charcoal then buys packaging material for your business.
Major drivers of both deforestation and degradation are human population growth increasing demand for resources and weak governance ([FAO, 2020]).
Why do human cut trees?
Because they demand forest natural resources. And as the population increase fuels the demand for resources perpetuating the cycle. Below are demanded resources in sectors cited from different studies and publications, other resources are irreplicable;
Agriculture: A significant driver is converting forests, complete clearing to farmland for annual crops like maize or subsistence farming (FAO, 2020; Wright et al., 2015).
Livestock: Slash-and-burn practices for temporary grazing pastures and wildfires for permanent pastures degrade forests (Alencar et al., 2019; World Wildlife Fund, 2021). Shifting cultivation also contributes (Mbilinyi et al., 2023). Constructing livestock compound involve extreme tree cutting, like in maasai land.
Development Projects: Clearing land for housing, schools, infrastructure like roads and railways, fragments forest and disrupts ecosystems (Song et al., 2021; Mbilinyi et al., 2023).
Mining: Expansion of mining operations destroys forests, as seen in the Selous Game Reserve (The Nature Conservancy, 2021).
Fuelwood: Unsustainable charcoal production is a major culprit, responsible for 80% of deforestation (Wiersum et al., 2023).
Building Materials: Collection of firewood, timber for construction poles for housing and livestock enclosures, is another significant factor (Weihua et al., 2020).
Furniture and Carvings: Logging of valuable trees for furniture making and traditional carvings threatens biodiversity (Balozi et al., 2023).
Other Wood based Products: Production of hand poles, paper, sealing boards, handmade woven and packaging materials also contributes (Balozi et al., 2023).
Vicious cycle
Forests play a vital role in regulating rainfall patterns and maintaining soil fertility. Deforestation disrupts these functions, leading to unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and soil erosion making agriculture, the primary source of income and food for many communities significantly more challenging. Erosion, reduced crop yields, and water scarcity all contribute to food insecurity and hunger. When agricultural productivity declines and limit water access due to deforestation, food insecurity becomes a major concern leading to extreme poverty, as communities struggle to afford food or lose income due to crop failures in turn, lead to further deforestation, creating a vicious cycle.
The problems are getting worse, people are still poor and can't escape poverty. Farms aren't doing well because land is degraded and infertile, there's no pollination, nutrients are washed away by rain, landslides are causing deaths, erosion is increasing and dividing land. Still washed away materials are causing floods, floods overflow riverbanks, people are displaced and forced to move to hills and mountains, this leads to more deforestation. What next? surface runoff increases, with no water to feed wetlands or rivers, this causes extreme evaporation, drying up rivers and killing wetlands, many animals disappear and become extinct.
This complex issue, demands immediate attention and is where native tree domestication becomes crucial. By identifying, collecting seeds from, and cultivating valuable native tree species of respective geographical ecology to contribute reversing these trends. Domesticated native trees be reintroduced into degraded landscapes, promoting ecosystem restoration and enhancing the resilience of forests facing future threats (Calvet et al., 2017]).
Dreamnature was founded for the community who are main victims of climate change impacts resulting from deforestation and forest land degradation. Climate change related impacts includes the physical environment, ecosystems and human societies.
- Threatened food production in farmlands and grazing areas.
- Drying river and water catchment areas.
- Natural calamities such as floods, landslide, soil & gully erosion, extreme heat (global warming), cyclone, wind speed, drought or desertification, river alluvial deposition.
- Biodiversity loss.
EVIDENCES OF THESE IMPACTS DUE TO DEFFORESTATION AND LAND DEGRADATION.
Landslides, Loss of Life and Poverty
Studies show a clear link between deforestation and increased landslides. Areas with less forest cover experience more frequent and deadly landslides during heavy rains (Eberhardt et al., 2021; FAO, 2020). Without trees to absorb rainwater, flash floods and landslides become more frequent ([Eberhardt et al., 2021]).
Landslides triggered by deforestation destroy homes, displace communities, and cause fatalities, as tragically demonstrated by the 2017 Sierra Leone landslide (BBC News, 2017).
Landslides disrupt agriculture, destroying fertile land and crops, leading to food insecurity, malnutrition, and worsening poverty (Lasco et al., 2009). Damage vital infrastructure like roads and bridges, hindering access to markets and food aid, further impacting vulnerable populations (World Bank, 2017).
Food Production Under Threat
Deforestation disrupts rainfall patterns, leading to unpredictable weather and erratic water flow, droughts and floods, making agriculture difficult ([Läderach et al., 2018]). This, combined with increased surface runoff that washes away nutrients, threatens food security (FAO, 2020). Unreliable rainfall makes it difficult to plan planting cycles, and droughts can lead to crop failure (Läderach et al., 2018; URT, 2015).
Deforestation accelerates soil erosion, as heavy rains wash away fertile topsoil without trees to hold it in place. This nutrient loss combined with erratic rainfall significantly reduces agricultural productivity (Ngana et al., 2005).
A decline in pollinator populations, like bees and butterflies, due to deforestation disrupts fruit and seed production as many crops rely on these pollinators (Hoehn et al., 2014).
Decline of nitrogen fixing trees lead to farm degradation and soil infertility.
Drying Rivers and Catchment Areas, water Scarcity and Natural Disasters
- Deforestation weakens the land's ability to absorb heavy rainfall, leading to increased instances of floods, landslides, and soil erosion (Mtalo et al., 2017). Without forests, wetlands become overwhelmed by excessive water, losing their ability to regulate floods (Mitsch & Gosselink, 2005; World Wildlife Fund, 2021).
- Forests and wetlands are intertwined, forests act like sponges, absorbing rainwater and releasing it slowly throughout the year to feed undergound water that maintain wells and springs. Deforestation disrupts natural water filtration, pollutes wetland water, and smothers vegetation (Lunt et al., 2005; Mitsch & Gosselink, 2015). Less water infiltrates the ground, causing decline of underground water volume thus springs, wells, catchment areas and rivers dry up (World Bank, 2019), leading to water scarcity for communities dependent on wells and springs (Ndezinga et al., 2013). This threatens not only drinking water but also agricultural activities, pushing people deeper into poverty.
Tanzania, a biodiversity hotspot, experiences habitat loss due to deforestation, pushing species towards extinction (Tanzania Forest Service, 2018).
This not only impacts the ecological balance but also disrupts tourism, a vital source of income for many communities.
Riverbank Erosion, Gully erosion and Deposition Lead to Flooding
Studies in Tanzania show a strong correlation between deforestation for agriculture and increased gully erosion (Wesenbeeck et al., 2017; Ndossi et al., 2015), reveal a link between deforestation and increased riverbank erosion (Mwangi et al., 2014). Tanzania experiences deforestation rates averaging around 400,000 hectares annually (United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, 2020).
Gully erosion fragments previously continuous farmland, reducing available land for cultivation (McConnell et al., 2017). Eroded soil loses fertility, leading to decreased crop yields, diverting rainwater away from natural infiltration zones, leading to water scarcity for communities (Ndezinga et al., 2013).
Erosion upstream leads to alluvial deposition, the accumulation of eroded sediments downstream, deposited sediments narrow river channels, causing water to overflow its banks and flood surrounding areas (Magigi et al., 2012). These floods displace families, destroy infrastructure, and cost millions annually (Meinzen-Dick and Mwangi, 2009; World Bank, 2012). Deforestation may alter weather patterns, potentially increasing the intensity of cyclones (Lasco et al., 2014; Li et al., 2016). Stronger storms and cyclones devastate coastal communities, causing flooding, displacing people, destroying infrastructure, and disrupting livelihoods (Kahn et al., 2019).
Can we give a hand of condolences by planting trees in those areas affected? Where river dried? Where gully erosion has expanded? Where flooding due to river deposition has increased? Where hills are becoming loose to cause landslide? Can we go where the river valley is increasing due to erosion?
If we only address temperature increase, in cold areas like Mbeya, Arusha, Iringa etc. Won’t understand. we need to plant trees with contribution to life. Can you say crops are drying due to surface runoff and drought in the society depending life on livestock, can we say there no water for animals and fodder to the society depending life on agriculture?
We cannot solve these problems with a single approach like changing to clean cooking only other drivers will work, or stopping the use of charcoal, you stop using charcoal then buys packaging material for your business.
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