The History of Deforestation

The history of deforestation

Facts and Figures

• About 36 football fields’ worth of trees are lost every minute due to deforestation.
• It is estimated that within 100 years, there will be no rainforests.
• Deforestation can cause soil erosion, leading to farming issues, clogged waterways, and dangerous mudslides.

the history of deforestation

Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest. This can include clearing the land for agriculture or grazing, or using the timber for fuel, construction or manufacturing.

Forests cover more than 30% of the Earth's land surface, according to the World Wildlife Fund. These forested areas can provide food, medicine and fuel for more than a billion people. Worldwide, forests provide 13.4 million people with jobs in the forest sector, and another 41 million people have jobs related to forests. Forests can be found from the tropics to high latitude areas.

the history of deforestation

Forests are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, containing a wide array of trees, plants, animals and microbes. Some places are especially diverse — the tropical forests of New Guinea, for example, contain more than 6% of the world's species of plants and animals. Forests provide more than a home for a diverse collection of living things; they are also an important resource for many around the world. In countries like Uganda, people rely on trees for firewood, timber and charcoal.