Where Is Deforestation in South Africa?

Where is deforestation in South Africa? The sad answer is that deforestation is occurring throughout the entire region.

Deforestation is occurring in every region in South Africa because it is a developing country. The people and government allow the removal of these trees in order to make way for the growing number of people.

The land where deforestation is occurring in South Africa is used:

• To build houses and cleared so that it can be used for agricultural purposes to sustain the number of people in the areas
• To allow clear grazing for farm animals

Deforestation is becoming a problem in the countries of South Africa and in turn becoming a global issue because the removal of these trees to allow for progress affects us all.

Problem of Deforestation in South Africa

Forests grow all over the world and serve an important function to keep the environment working properly. The trees in the forest draw in carbon dioxide, a harmful air, and release oxygen into the air that we breathe.

In recent years, deforestation that is occurring all over the world has interrupted the balance in this process. Deforestation is defined as:

"The cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation can erode soils, contribute to desertification and the pollution of waterways, and decrease biodiversity through the destruction of habitat."

The definition brings to light many of the problems of deforestation that are occurring, both in South Africa and elsewhere. Another major problem that is occurring is the elimination of trees has allowed less and less oxygen to be pumped into the environment. This reduction in oxygen is one of the main causes of global warming.

Effects of Deforestation

Deforestation occurs everywhere across the globe for a number of reasons. In most situations, especially in developing countries like those in South Africa where deforestation is occurring, trees are cut down to make way for people. The land that is cleared by removing these trees is used for agricultural purposes to sustain the people. The wood is then used for the building of homes and industry.

Although this may seem acceptable, deforestation continues to damage the environment in a number of ways. These ways include:

• Reduction in Oxygen: As mentioned in the introduction, trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. As more and more trees disappear from any given area, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air rises and less oxygen is produced. Since carbon monoxide is a greenhouse gas, proponents of global warming cite deforestation as being one of the main causes of global warming.
• Destruction of Habitat: The forests in areas like South America are home to a vast number of wildlife species. As the forests are destroyed, the habitats of some animals are destroyed. This can lead animals to behave in ways they would not normally and threaten their survival.
• Desertification: Deforestation can also cause desertification to occur. This occurs because of the way the environment changes. Once desertification occurs, it takes years to reverse the process.

The more trees removed off the face of this planet means the less healthy breathable air for us all.