- Causes of vegetation degradation
- 1- Deforestations
- 2- Unregulated mining or agricultural activities
- Consequences of the degradation of the vegetation
- 1- Extreme weather changes
- 2- Accelerated erosion of soils
- References
The degradation of vegetation is an environmental problem that affects various areas of the planet. For example, vegetation is responsible for fulfilling the function of processing carbon dioxide, so without it the quality of life on earth is reduced.
A large percentage of degraded vegetation is caused by humans and their intervention through activities. Some of these activities include mining, logging, burning (deforestation), or the formation of urban centers.
Despite efforts to reduce the damage to the environment with the sowing and creation of new mineral exploitation techniques, the results have not been favorable. Vegetation degradation occurs almost daily in areas like the Amazon.
You may be interested Environmental Deterioration: What It Is, Causes and Consequences.
Causes of vegetation degradation
1- Deforestations
One of the main causes of plant degradation is deforestation. This practice has its beginnings in the times of the Roman emperors (7th century). However, it has continued throughout history as a practice to facilitate agriculture, mining and plowing.
It consists of the burning of forests or areas rich in vegetation, but which in some way or another obstruct the economic expansion of man. However, the damage is undeniable, leaving kilometer areas devastated.
Deforestation is also caused by natural fires. In high temperature areas it occurs in a small percentage.
2- Unregulated mining or agricultural activities
The practice of extracting minerals from the ground or mining requires processes such as the aforementioned deforestation and others that are equally harmful to the environment.
Some of these processes include the breaking of mountains or valleys. This clearly deteriorates the quality of biodiversity, including plants and trees.
According to a study by the National Institute of Natural Resources (1995) in Venezuela, the damage caused by such practices could be irreversible. The impact is no different in other parts of the world.
Similarly, agriculture due to the indiscriminate use of chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) has contributed to plant degradation.
In addition, agriculture has a negative property regarding the soil: it modifies its profile. For this reason, arid soils are observed in tropical areas, due to the intensive use of these practices. These are usually done without careful planning.
Consequences of the degradation of the vegetation
The survival of living beings would not be possible without vegetation, since it provides different benefits such as photosynthesis, a source of shade or even the formation of ecosystems and regulation of H2O.
The consequences of a plant degradation can then be enormously negative.
1- Extreme weather changes
Another of the most striking consequences of the degradation of vegetation is climate change.
The reduction of vegetation affects the quantity and quality of rainfall, generating increases in temperature and migration of exotic species (fauna). In turn, these migratory species are one of the main causes of extinction of other species within their natural habitat.
In relation to the climate, studies carried out by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reveal that the areas most affected by these changes are Latin America and the Caribbean.
However, no plant area is exempt from suffering plant degradation and even less if man intervenes.
2- Accelerated erosion of soils
After the decomposition of the plants and the formation of natural compost, the soil is protected by a layer. It is made up of accumulated natural waste.
The degradation of the vegetation leads to the elimination of this layer. When degrading, direct exposure to the sun, wind and even heavy rain can damage the soil. Other causes of erosion include flooding or agricultural practices.
Soil that has been impacted by erosion tends to be unusable in most cases.
To try to solve this problem, plans must be implemented that regulate the activities mentioned above. The use of artificial fertilizer is also important.
References
- Wikiteca Environmental Pollution. (2015). Spain. Wikiteca.com. Recovered from: wikiteka.com.
- Scribd.com. Vegetation Degradation. (2017). Argentina. Recovered from: es.scribd.com.
- Eduardo Uribe Botero. ECLAC. Climate change and its effects on biodiversity in Latin America. (2017). Colombia. Recovered from repository.cepal.org.
- Drafting EL TIEMPO. Mining affects the environment. (nineteen ninety five). Colombia. Recovered from eltiempo.com.