The Effects of Deforestation on Animals

The increasing rate of deforestation is an issue all over the world. It adversely affects everything in some form or other, including the ecosystem, human beings, and the animals that live in the forests that are being ravaged. The consequences of cutting down thousands upon thousands of acres of trees increases as human beings increase in their population, and the long-term results can be devastating as more and more species of animals become endangered and die off.

Deforestation is the massive cutting down and clearing of trees and plants. Because many animal species that live in the forests are herbivorous, such as giraffes, deer and tapirs, they are forced to leave what once was their home to search for food. As a result, many starve to death. Other times they wonder out of the forest and into areas populated by humans and get hit by automobiles. Meanwhile, carnivorous animals that prey on herbivorous animals find it more difficult to find food and end up starving to death or wandering off into human-populated areas and getting killed.

Deforestation plays a strong role in the management of atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide. According to Michigan State University's Tropical Rain Forest Information Center, almost 200 tons of carbon dioxide can readily be stored on just one acre in a rain forest. This is why the rain forests help in limiting the effects of changes in climate that are caused by greenhouse gasses due to deforestation. Depletion of the acreage of rain forests increases the levels of carbon dioxide entering into the atmosphere. This results in changes in the climate. When the greenhouse effect increases over time, the result is a change in climate that can lead to habitat changes for animals as well. This increases the possibilities of species of animals becoming endangered or even extinct around the world.

According to Michigan State University's Tropical Rain Forest Information Center, the loss of just a very small area in a rain forest can consequently lead to the extinction of animal species. The reason is that quite often animals that live in the rain forests require specialized habitats. When deforestation occurs, these animals have increasingly fewer areas in which they can survive. When these areas are destroyed, the species become extinct.

According to the Earth Observatory website of NASA, losses in species of animals in the rain forests have huge ramifications that affect both animals and humans. From studies of genetics among a multitude of diverse species within the rain forest, scientists are able to see some clues that assist them in the discovery of cures for deadly diseases and illnesses in both animals and humans. When species go extinct because of deforestation, scientists lose the opportunity to learn more about these species. The diverse species that live within the rain forests offer vital information that could make a difference to all animals and humans for survival into the future.