Deforestation is one of the most critical issues threatening biodiversity and the health of our planet. The loss of forests jeopardises the survival of countless plant and animal species worldwide. In this blog post, we explore everything you need to know about the causes and effects of deforestation and what urgent conservation action is needed to protect our planet’s rich biodiversity.
What is deforestation?
Deforestation is the process of clearing or thinning forests by humans to make the land available for other uses. This can involve cutting down trees, clearing land for agriculture, or building roads and neighbourhoods. It is a significant environmental issue, impacting the balance of ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity.
We have a responsibility to understand its causes and consequences and to develop effective strategies to protect our remaining forests.
What causes deforestation?
Deforestation is driven by a variety of human activities and natural events, each contributing to the rapid loss of forest cover around the world. Let’s look at some of the primary causes in more depth.
Agriculture
Expanding agricultural activities—including large-scale commercial farming and small-scale farms—is the leading cause of deforestation. Forests are often cleared to plant crops or graze livestock. For instance, vast areas of the Amazon Rainforest have been cleared for soybean farming.
Palm oil is a prime example of a crop that is causing mass deforestation and impacting wildlife. The growing demand for palm oil, used in a wide range of products from food to cosmetics, has led to the establishment of large palm oil plantations. Indonesia and Malaysia, in particular, have seen significant deforestation as a result of palm oil production.
Clearance for livestock
Raising livestock requires large tracts of land, so significant portions of natural forests are cleared to create pastures for cattle. But this livestock doesn’t just need space to graze. Animal agriculture also needs space to grow crops to feed these farmed animals.
Timber
The demand for wood and wooden products leads to extensive logging operations, causing widespread deforestation as trees are cut down at a far faster rate than they can grow. Illegal logging is also an issue, accounting for 15% to 30% of global timber production.
Fires
Fires, both natural and human-caused, contribute to deforestation. Natural wildfires can spread rapidly in dry conditions, while humans often set fires intentionally to clear land for agriculture or development. In recent years, uncontrolled fires in the Amazon have garnered global attention for their destructive impact. In late 2023, IFAW supported the rescue and rehabilitation work of local organisation Tamanduá Institute in Brazil, which saved wild animals from these fires.
