Deforestation In British Columbia

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British Columbia is the third largest province in Canada with an area of 95 million hectares, about 64% of it is covered in forest. The majority of this forest is used for timber production, a smaller chunk is protected as park land and the rest is unavailable to log because of remotes. Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. The majority of the trees are coniferous. With the increase of many ecological problems the preservation of forests play an important role in British Columbia. Forest are one of the most valuable resources for the economy since their wood products are being exported all over the world. It is however crucial that the environmental impacts of deforestation …show more content…

The worst of which is the loss of habitat for millions of species. British Columbia is the home of 1,900 species that are at risk due to the loss of their habitat. “A staggering 87 per cent these don't receive any protection under provincial or federal laws” (Eco-Justice). One thing is certain if we let deforestation continue countless species will be lost forever. Not only does deforestation cause animal to become threatened from the loss of their habitat, but it also causes plants and soil to die. In forests the trees are canopies to protect plants and soil, without the canopy’s plants will start to die and soil will start drying out too quickly. Trees are also a necessary anchor for soil, the roots of the trees keep the soil in place. Without the roots to keep soil in place it can be washed away and this can create vegetation problems. With the soil eroding that can cause silt to enter the lakes, rivers and streams and pollute the water which can lead to poor health for the population. The trees in the forest also absorb rainfall and produce water vapor that is released into the atmosphere. This makes them an important part of the water cycle that without the trees would be disturbed. Deforestation is also a major cause of climate change. “Conversion of forests to non-forest land use rapidly releases stored carbon as carbon dioxide impacting the atmosphere and climate for centuries” (Parfitt,11). Trees absorb many greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. With fewer trees absorbing greenhouse gases more will enter the atmosphere and speed up global warming. The trees absorb a large amount of carbon as well. When all of that carbon that the trees have stored is released into the environment it can change the climate. In B.C climate change has caused the sea level to rise and it cause glaciers to melt. Scientist have figured out that by 2100 B.C will lose 70% of its

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