Question

How does population growth affect the rate of deforestation?

Answer 1

Hint: The high population density of local people increases deforestation through the expansion of farmlands. The results indicate that a \[1\% \]rise in population growth has raised the rate of deforestation by \[2.7\% \]as a result of the increase in agricultural land.

Complete answer:
-Population grows, more space is needed for human settlements, and this results in urbanization, so often land clearing involves deforestation, resulting in fewer trees keeping the soil together. The land is loose and quickly eroded by the erosive agents of wind and rain.
-Mountain forests were removed in such a way that the trees could no longer protect the ground floor from flooding, and rainwater ran out with ever-greater intensity, first destroying humus and then mineral soil and stone. Degradation of soil is a significant effect of deforestation and lack of soil fertility adversely affects the agricultural potential of land and thus food production.
Overpopulation has led to an increase in urban settlements, which in turn increases erosion, soil loss, waste and pollution.
-Overpopulation is due to an increasing need for food and fresh water. Increased demand for food contributes to higher levels of cultivation and livestock farming. The farmer would increase yields, the soil could be overused leading to soil exhaustion and soil productivity loss.
-Farmers also use fertilizers and other pesticides to increase crop yields, destroying many valuable plant and animal species that create imbalances in the natural environment.

Additional information:
-The development of coastal areas and land clearing for agriculture has also had a major effect on mangrove forests. These areas are important because they act as nurseries and breeding grounds for many marine species, such as fish and shrimp. More than one in six populations of mangroves is endangered by coastal growth and other human activities.
-Farmers also use fertilizers and other pesticides to increase crop yields, destroying many valuable plant and animal species that create imbalances in the natural environment.
-Overgrazing is another significant problem, as the number of livestock grows to satisfy the increasing demand. The land will become dry which may contribute to desertification if the area is comparatively arid or semi-arid. For example, the Sahara Desert in Africa has been expanding at an extraordinary speed and human activities have played a major role in its development.

Note: Overpopulation is a very important problem, since a rising number of people need more food and space, and resources are limited. To satisfy growing demands, we are required to use resources to the point that they cannot be replenished. Besides, the mechanisms that we attempt to support the growing population are associated with significant environmental effects, such as erosion, soil destruction, pollution and biodiversity loss.