Deforestation. Deforestation is a major cause of soil erosion, perhaps the main cause. Trees and their roots provide the soil with an anchor, as well as shelter from the wind and rain. When forests are wiped out, the land becomes exposed, leaving it vulnerable to being washed or blown away by elements.

Deforestation can have destructive effects on soils. Logging and small-scale removal of trees exposes soil to rain splash which loosens and dislodges soil particles, eroding soil and creating a more impermeable bare surface, which increases runoff.

The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people.

The causes of deforestation

• Natural causes as hurricanes, fires, parasites and floods.
• Human activities as agricultural expansion, cattle breeding, timber extraction, mining, oil extraction, dam construction and infrastructure development.

A few key agricultural products drive most of the deforestation, and are largely produced for export.

1. Beef. Rising demand for beef is driven in part by a growing global population and also an expanding middle class, particularly in the East Asia and China.
2. Soy.
3. Palm oil.
4. Wood pulp.
5. Cocoa.

10 Major Companies Responsible for Deforestation

• Cargill. The US-based company has a long history of destruction, according to a report by NGO Mighty Earth.
• BlackRock.
• Wilmar International Ltd.
• Walmart.
• JBS.
• IKEA.
• Korindo Group PT.
• Yakult Honsha Co.

Direct causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion, wood extraction (e.g., logging or wood harvest for domestic fuel or charcoal), and infrastructure expansion such as road building and urbanization. Rarely is there a single direct cause for deforestation.

By consuming less, avoiding single-use packaging, eating sustainable food, and choosing recycled or responsibly-produced wood products, we can all be part of the movement to protect forests. Make choices for forests, nature, and people — and do so vocally!

FTH is the dominant approach to clearcut logging in Ontario and is also used in the British Columbia interior, across Alberta and the prairie provinces and in about 50% of the logging in Quebec, raising additional concerns that the Wildlands League study may be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the revealing the …

With over 347 million hectares (ha) of forest, Canada has 9% of the world’s forests. Forests dominate many Canadian landscapes, but cover only 38% of Canada’s land area. The forest area of Canada is stable, with less than half of 1% deforested since 1990.