Deforestation
Deforestation is the destruction of forests so the land can be available for lots of different uses. These free spaces of land are used for urbanisation, housing, crops like soy and palm oil, timber and fire wood. Rainforests did cover over 14% of the earth surface but because of deforestation it has reduced to only 6%.
Where does it happen?
Deforestation happens throughout the world. Tropical rainforests are usually the place it happens the most. Countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, parts of Africa, Eastern Europe and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have currently had a lot of deforestation.
How does it happen?
Lots of deforestation is done by loggers, who pull down the trees and use it to make paper, furniture and lots of other products we use daily. Another method is burning trees that can be done really quickly through a very large amount of land. They cut them down and then burn up all the left over trees and shrubs before they plant areas with trees like palm trees for palm oil.
Effects
Forests are important to the carbon and water cycles that helps life on the earth. Around 70% of the earth's animals and plants come from rainforests and because of deforestation, many species are losing their habitats which could lead to that species' extinction. It is also bad for the local tribes people who rely on the plants and animals in forests for hunting and their basic needs. Also forests absorb green house gases and carbon emissions so without trees more green house gases will enter the atmosphere which contributes to climate change.