The principle of causality
The principle of causality best explains the connection between a cause and an effect. Causality is a universal connection of phenomena through which one thing (the cause) under certain conditions results in something else (the effect).
Deforestation
Deforestation is the permanent removal of earth’s forest done in small and large scale for non-forest use. It is unfortunately a global culture and thus there are varying causes to its existence. In some context, it is true to say the causes of deforestation blind the perpetuators from seeing the real effects that will crop up later. Once the bud is nipped, the effects could roll out for generations and centuries. The world’s forest cover is unfortunately constantly diminishing and clearly, the necessary efforts are not put into making sure we improve the situation.
Causes
Farming is a very noble culture which through raring of animals and planting of crops has the ability to provide food for human beings. However, it is the need for more land that causes farmers to cut down trees in order to create more land to meet their needs. Ranching, for example, is carried out on large tracts of land, which prompts the farmers to clear more trees in order to expand their territories. The high demand for agricultural and animal products, which of course comes with higher earnings, has thus caused farmers to recklessly cut down trees. Logging is the most commercial deforestation act involves cutting down trees and processing them in lumberyards or sawmills. Illegal logging has been on the rise especially due to its direct financial chain where the more you log, the more you earn. Urbanization is also considered as another reason behind deforestation. The virgin lands are slowly becoming a target for expansion especially when it comes to putting up factories and plants. Urbanization is also behind the mushrooming of estates and modern housing projects. The developers and multi-national real estate companies and developers are then behind deforestation to earn more from their properties. Deforestation is also caused by Expansion of infrastructure especially roads and railway lines are the most common for providing an entryway to remote and isolated land. These projects are usually commissioned accordingly; however, they are usually marred with illegal logging, which then encourages illegal settlements leading to further deforestation. Fuel options are quite limited and up-to-date wood is considered an easier and cheaper option. In many countries, wood is used as fuel either in small or large scale. It could be used as charcoal in homes to cook in the developing countries as it is a cheap alternative. Developed and developing countries also use wood as fuel in big factories, therefore, the demand will be very high leading to more deforestation. Economic activities such as mining and quarrying; despite having positive gains also contribute adversely to deforestation. The companies involved usually explore to be able to get the land with adequate natural resources. Roads, plants and other infrastructure are constructed in such areas in order to facilitate the activity hence leading clearing of the forest. Catastrophes such as forest fires, which are experienced in many countries, cause very massive destruction. These could be either natural or triggered by human beings. Forest fires are very common in Australia; they burn down forests and unfortunately the habitats too. These catastrophes come year in year out due to climatic changes but the forest fires have more than once proved hard to contain.
Effects
The effects of deforestation are mostly negative and usually stretch across generations in one way or another. The main effects are as discussed below in detail.
Destruction of wildlife’s habitat is evident in that millions of species face extinction since there is no other home to them other than the wilderness. During the migrations across forests, many species fail to survive whereas others reduce in numbers significantly. The other effect coming in close second is the adverse climate change. Trees control many climatic and water cycles thus without their existence, the cycle is affected leading to imbalances which harm other areas like farming through rainfall shortage among others. Flooding is usually catastrophic and trees are known to play a key role especially by absorbing the heavy rains into the ground hence controlling the surface run off. Without the trees then, the bare land is exposed hence the water flows limitlessly causing destruction and harm to nature, human beings, and fabricated structures. Many of the effects are clearly intertwined, with soil erosion being the other one. Once the trees have been cut down and even the plants fail to survive in the adverse conditions, then soil erosion is imminent. During rainfall the soil, especially the fertile layer is washed away hence, the land becomes infertile eventually and cannot offer agricultural benefits. Greenhouse gas effects are probably the worst however since the effects run for generations and could get to a non-reversible situation. Global warming is gradually taking its toll on the earth and the effects are already being felt in some areas.
Conclusion
The above topic clearly shows the relation between the cause and effects. In some sense, the relationship is like a vicious cycle that could never end since one is constantly triggering the next one. It is, therefore, necessary to analyze the possible effects especially taking any action, as this would facilitate better planning as well as avoiding adverse effects. The deforestation scenario clearly then illustrates the concept of causality.
