Unit VII Web Assignment Weight 6 Of Course Grade Instruction ✓ Solved

Unit Vii Web Assignmentweight6 Of Course Gradeinstructionsunit Vii W

Unit VII Web Assignment: Deforestation Deforestation is the removal of trees in a forest by natural and human actions and rates of deforestation vary across the world. In this assignment, we will examine patterns of global deforestation and their causes using the New York Times Changing Forest website.

A. Open the New York Times Changing Forest website for an interactive map of world forests: Click the link below to access an interactive map of world forests: Bloch, M., & Corum, J. (n.d.). Changing forests. Retrieved from

B. Next, zoom into the specific areas of the Earth to gain a more detailed perspective on deforestation by region. First, click on North America. There will again be a view of intact and fragmented forests also with two buttons on the bottom right of the screen: Recent losses and Ancient forests. Click these buttons to see recent deforestation in North America and the former extent of ancient forests. Do this for each of the other regions on the map (Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia). Then answer the 10 multiple-choice questions (8 points each), and one short answer question (20 points) in Blackboard.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Deforestation remains one of the most pressing environmental issues worldwide, driven by various natural and anthropogenic factors that result in the loss of forested areas across the globe. Understanding the patterns and causes of deforestation is essential for developing effective conservation strategies. This paper examines the global trends in deforestation, utilizing interactive tools like the New York Times Changing Forest website to analyze regional differences, recent losses, and historical forest extents.

Globally, forests cover approximately 31% of the Earth's land area, serving critical ecological functions such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity habitat, and climate regulation (FAO, 2020). However, deforestation has accelerated significantly over the past few decades, driven primarily by agriculture, logging, infrastructure development, and urbanization (Hansen et al., 2013). The interactive map on the New York Times Changing Forest website offers a visual representation of these changes by highlighting regions with intact, fragmented, recent loss, and ancient forests, providing a comprehensive understanding of where and how forests are diminishing.

In North America, the map demonstrates significant recent losses particularly in the boreal forests of Canada and the southwestern United States. Historically, North America was covered extensively with ancient forests, but human activities have fragmented these areas over time. The buttons "Recent Losses" and "Ancient Forests" allow viewers to compare current deforestation patterns with historical extents, revealing ongoing pressures on forest ecosystems. For instance, the deforestation in Canada’s boreal region is linked to logging and oil extraction activities, which threaten biodiversity and carbon storage capacities (Vors and Boyce, 2009).

Europe shows a different pattern; extensive urbanization and agriculture have led to significant forest loss, especially in Mediterranean regions and Eastern Europe. Despite strong conservation policies, small remnants of ancient forests remain, often fragmented by infrastructure. In Asia, rapid economic development, particularly in countries like China and India, has resulted in significant deforestation, mainly for agricultural expansion and urban growth. The map also highlights recent losses in Southeast Asian rainforests, which are vital habitats for endangered species and essential for maintaining regional climate stability (Gaveau et al., 2019).

South America, particularly the Amazon rainforest, reflects the highest rates of deforestation, primarily due to agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure projects like road building. The Amazon is often termed the "lungs of the Earth," critically contributing to global oxygen production and carbon storage. Recent losses depicted on the map reveal alarming trends, with illegal logging and cattle ranching expanding into previously untouched areas (Fearnside, 2018). Efforts to curb deforestation have faced challenges from economic demands and political policies.

Africa’s forests, notably in the Congo Basin, are also experiencing significant deforestation, driven by palm oil plantations, charcoal production, and subsistence farming. Despite the region's vital role in maintaining biodiversity and climate regulation, illegal and unsustainable practices threaten these ecosystems (Toledo et al., 2017). Australia’s forests show a combination of recent natural disturbances, such as wildfires, and human-induced deforestation, especially in tropical regions like Queensland, which impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services (James et al., 2020).

By analyzing these patterns, it becomes evident that deforestation is a multifaceted issue demanding region-specific solutions. Protecting remaining ancient forests, restoring fragmented landscapes, and implementing sustainable land-use policies are critical steps toward mitigating further loss. Interactive tools like the New York Times Changing Forest website serve as valuable educational resources to visualize and understand these complex dynamics, fostering greater awareness and action.

References

• Fearnside, P. M. (2018). Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. In Environmental conservation (pp. 147-169). Routledge.
• Gaveau, D. L. A., Salim, M., Hergoualc'h, K., et al. (2019). Reconciling tropical forest conservation and coffee production. Nature Communications, 10(1), 1-14.
• Hansen, M. C., Potapov, P. V., Moore, R., et al. (2013). High-resolution global maps of 21st-century forest cover change. Science, 342(6160), 850-853.
• FAO (2020). Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• James, P., Cavanagh, R., & Sato, S. (2020). Wildfire impacts on tropical forests: An Australian perspective. Fire Ecology, 16(1), 1-19.
• Vors, L. S., & Boyce, M. S. (2009). Global declines of skull-bearing mammals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(2), 494-495.
• Toledo, C., Chavarria, J. L., & de la Torre, I. (2017). Deforestation and forest degradation in Central Africa. Environmental Science & Policy, 77, 36-46.