Deforestation is a huge global issue that impacts wildlife, humans, and our planet as a whole. Deforestation refers to the loss of forests, which are the natural habitats of thousands of plant and animal species. These ecosystems are the foundation of our world, providing services such as water purification and carbon dioxide storage.
Deforesting happens for a variety of reasons, but one main cause is the expansion of agriculture. As people around the world demand more food and other resources, forests are wiped out to make room for farmland and human settlements. This is often done through slash-and-burn techniques, where trees are burned and land is cleared in order to grow crops and raise livestock.
Other big causes of deforestation include logging and the building of infrastructure. Road building is one of the biggest contributing factors, as it allows loggers and other workers to reach remote areas where they can access timber and other resources. Other infrastructure includes hydropower dams and energy projects, which are both built on forestland.
The building of these kinds of human-built infrastructures also creates more conflict between wildlife and humans, as animals are forced out of their habitats in order to find food. This leads to animals competing with humans for their food, and in some cases, this can lead to animal predation on livestock and other species. With dwindling forests in which to find food, herbivores in particular begin to starve. As a result, they are more likely to venture into areas inhabited by humans in their search for nourishment. This can cause problems for both humans and wildlife, including crop destruction, animal predation on livestock, and even human deaths.