Deforestation is a global issue that has far-reaching consequences for the natural world. It destroys habitat for animals and plants, increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and contributes to climate change. It also disrupts the water cycle and leads to soil erosion. It also harms people who rely on forests for food, shelter, and income.
Several international groups produce routine estimates of the rate of tropical deforestation. They are based on information from governments, companies and other sources. Most deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion, timber extraction, and the building of infrastructure. The building of roads, railways, canals and dams can be very destructive to the environment.
Local and large-scale commercial agriculture drives a significant portion of deforestation. In Brazil and Indonesia, for example, industrial agriculture is clearing forest to grow soybeans and palm oil to meet demand for animal feed and other products. Cattle ranching is another major cause of deforestation, as well as the cultivation of grains for use in soya bean and wheat feed.
When trees are logged, they release back into the air the carbon dioxide that they had captured during photosynthesis. This increase in greenhouse gases accelerates global warming. In addition, the removal of trees deprives the planet of a valuable source of oxygen. Many animals that live in forests cannot survive without it. Herbivores, in particular, may starve without access to plants to eat. The loss of habitat can lead to animal extinctions.