Causes and impacts of deforestation
Deforestation is the process of cutting down or removing trees from forests. It is a major environmental problem happening around the world. There are many causes of deforestation, and these causes have serious effects on the environment.
One main cause of deforestation is farming. A lot of trees are chopped down to make space for crops and livestock. Sometimes, forests are cut down to grow food or raise animals to meet the needs of increasing human populations. Logging is another main cause of deforestation. Logging is the activity of cutting down of trees for timber and paper production. Many companies and people cut trees to use the wood for construction and other purposes.
Urban development is also a cause of deforestation. As cities expand, more land is needed for building houses, roads, and factories. This often leads to the destruction of forests. Additionally, in some parts of the world, people cut down trees for firewood to cook and stay warm.
Deforestation has many harmful impacts on the environment. It causes climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide, a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. When trees are chopped down, more carbon dioxide remains in the air, making the Earth warmer. It also destroys the habitats of many animals and plants, leading to the loss of biodiversity. Without trees, soil can easily wash away during heavy rains, which causes erosion and makes it difficult for new plants to grow. Moreover, the loss of forests affects the water cycle, leading to less rainfall and drought in some areas.
In conclusion, deforestation is caused mainly by farming, logging, urban development, and use of firewood. Its impacts are very harmful, including climate change, loss of animals and plants, soil erosion, and water problems. It is essentially important for everyone to understand these causes and impacts and work together to protect our forests.
English to English
- Farming – Growing crops or raising animals.
- Logging – Cutting trees for wood and paper.
- Urban development – Expanding cities by building houses and roads.
- Firewood – Wood used for cooking and warmth.
- Climate change – Changes in Earth's temperature and weather.
- Carbon dioxide – A gas that makes the Earth warmer.
- Biodiversity – The variety of animals and plants in nature.
- Habitat – The home of animals and plants.
- Erosion – When soil is washed away by rain or wind.
- Water cycle – How water moves through the environment.
- Rainfall – Water that falls from clouds.
- Drought – A long time without rain.
- Timber – Wood from trees used for building.
- Environment – The natural world around us.
English to Khmer
- Farming – ការធ្វើកសិកម្ម
- Logging – ការកាប់ឈើយកធ្វើគ្រឿងសង្ហារឹម ឬក្រដាស
- Urban development – ការអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ក្រុង
- Firewood – អុស
- Climate change – ការប្រែប្រួលអាកាសធាតុ
- Carbon dioxide – កាបូនឌីអុកស៊ីត
- Biodiversity – ជីវចម្រុះ
- Habitat – ជម្រក
- Erosion – ការហូរច្រោះដី
- Water cycle – វដ្តទឹក
- Rainfall – ការធ្លាក់ភ្លៀង
- Drought – គ្រោះរាំងស្ងួត
- Timber – ឈើសម្រាប់ធ្វើផ្ទះ
- Environment – បរិស្ថាន
True/False Statement
- Deforestation
is the process of planting more trees.
- One
cause of deforestation is farming.
- Logging
is one of the reasons trees are cut down.
- Forests
are often cut down to build new cities and roads.
- Trees
help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Deforestation
helps to cool the Earth’s climate.
- Loss
of forests can destroy animal and plant habitats.
- Trees
prevent soil erosion during heavy rains.
- Deforestation
has no effect on the water cycle.
- Everyone
can play a part in protecting forests.
Comprehension Questions
a) Planting more trees
b) Farming and agriculture
c) Recycling
d) Building parks
2. Why do companies cut down trees during logging?
a) To plant new trees
b) To build bridges
c) To get wood for products like furniture and paper
d) To create parks
3. How does urban development lead to deforestation?
a) It protects forests from being cut down
b) It causes forests to grow faster
c) Building cities and roads often destroys forests
d) Cities plant more trees in forests
4. What role do trees play in helping the environment?
a) They produce carbon dioxide
b) They absorb carbon dioxide and help cool the Earth
c) They increase soil erosion
d) They make the air polluted
5. What happens to animals when their habitats are destroyed by deforestation?
a) They become happier
b) They move to the cities
c) They lose their homes and may die or migrate
d) They grow taller
6. Why is soil erosion a problem caused by deforestation?
a) Because trees help keep the soil in place
b) Because trees increase soil moisture
c) Because soil becomes richer with more trees
d) Because soil always stays safe from water
7. How does deforestation affect the water cycle?
a) It increases rainfall everywhere
b) It has no effect on water or weather
c) It can lead to less rain and droughts
d) It causes more ice to form on mountains
8. What is a long period without enough rain called?
a) Flood
b) Drought
c) Monsoon
d) Snowstorm
9. Why is protecting forests important?
a) Forests make the Earth hotter
b) Forests help maintain a healthy environment and support animals and plants
c) Forests don't affect the environment
d) Forests only provide wood for houses
10. Which of the following is NOT a cause of deforestation?
a) Farming
b) Logging
c) Reforestation
d) Urban development