DEGRADATION, DEFORESTATION AND DENUDATION
by Antonio C. Antonio
December 14, 2013
Are the terms forest “degradation”, “deforestation” and “denudation” the
same? They are definitely different because they don’t sound the same and
don’t spell the same way either. At the same time, all 3 words have
something in common... they all begin with “de” and end with “ation”. The
favorite among males is “denudation” for reasons I know everyone knows.
How is that for starters?
I wanted to start on a happy note since the words “degradation,” “deforestation”
and “denudation” are truly sad and worrisome terms. It should be noted that
these three words are largely geological terms with different sets of action
process and effects on the surface of the earth. It is also important to
note that degradation, deforestation and denudation pertains to either geology
or the environment.
Degradation, deforestation and denudation are different in terms of
action... but when all three are considered as parts of a process, they become
the same in terms of effect.
DEGRADATION, from the environmental standpoint,
is any change or disturbance to the environment which are not desirable.
Although there are natural occurrences in the environment which lead to
degradation, most causes are anthropogenic or man-made. These causes
result to the depletion of resources (such as air, water and soil) and the
destruction of ecosystems which results to the extinction of life forms.
Life forms are the numerous flora and fauna which balances the
ecosystems. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction defines degradation as: “The reduction of the capacity of the environment
to meet social and ecological objectives and needs.” There are numerous
contributory factors to environmental degradation of which I would consider
land use conversion and uncontrolled population growth as the primary causes in
the Philippine setting. The result of these two causes of environmental
degradation would lead to a more disturbing problem of food security.
DEFORESTATION is the systematic felling and
clearing of trees with the objective of converting the forest to other land
use. The common knowledge on the cause of deforestation is commercial
logging. Unfortunately, a moratorium (but in reality a ban) on harvesting
activities in the natural forest has already been in effect for three years but
deforestation still continues. It is now safe to say that other causes of
deforestation exist and have been in existence even when commercial logging was
permitted by government. People will now have to look elsewhere to fan
their favorite pastime of pointing accusing fingers on who they perceive to be the
main culprits to deforestation...
“The Benefits Derived from the Forests” (Antonio, 2013) enumerates the
different products and benefits the forest offers. For all these
benefits, it is easy to understand the important role the forest on life on
earth... be it the satisfaction for economic and financial gains, the aesthetic
and pleasure values of forest products, or the simple air that we
breathe. It is critical to consider the continued and sustainable supply
of these valuable “commodities”.
We now come to the dreaded part which is the end-effect of
deforestation. I’ll just keep this short (I just hate dwelling on
negative things.)... Deforestation leads to damage in habitat, biodiversity and
soil erosion. Soil erosion leads to aridity. Aridity leads to population
displacement, food security nightmares and desertification. And a desert
is not an ideal place to live in especially after enjoying the comforts of
biodiversity.
Still pertaining to the forest, DENUDATION is the term used to describe stripping a forest of
the vital elements and ingredients which are essential to keep trees and other
plants alive and functioning. Denudation is largely considered the sum
effect of deforestation.
Although denudation is commonly attributed to mining, other land use
conversion activities (such as logging, dam construction, urbanization and,
more importantly, high population growth rate) are also contributory
factors. Aside from these man-caused denudation factors, there are also
natural occurrences (such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and
forest fires caused by lightning) that contribute to denudation.
When the forest is stripped of something it needs in order to exist it
will lose its capacity to also provide for those which depend on it... other
life forms --- flora and fauna. Extinction of these life forms will
automatically follow. Because of deforestation, over a million species of
plants and animals have been lost so far and are continually being lost if
continued denudation persists.
Just my little thoughts...
No comments:
Post a Comment