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What is Hard Deforestation?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Hard deforestation occurs when forested lands are clearcut and then compromised so that the trees cannot grow back. By contrast, soft deforestation happens when trees are cleared, but they later grow back. Biologists are very concerned about the effects of hard deforestation, as the permanent destruction of woodland areas around the world is a rapidly growing trend. Researchers in numerous nations including the United States and Great Britain are studying hard deforestation extensively and proposing plans to avert it.

New England offers some excellent examples of both soft and hard deforestation. When early settlers to the United States first reached New England, they cut down many trees for the purpose of developing agriculture. Over time, agricultural production shifted to other regions of the country, and these trees grew back; this is an example of soft deforestation, in which trees are removed but eventually replaced. Soft deforestation is also a common phenomenon in Europe. Biologists have noted that this second growth can actually be quite healthy, and that these once clearcut and now wooded lands provide numerous benefits to their communities.

When land is clear cut and trees cannot grow back, it is known as hard deforestation.
When land is clear cut and trees cannot grow back, it is known as hard deforestation.

The revival of forested land in New England is often touted by biologists, illustrating the way in which nature can recover from negative human activity. However, researchers at the Harvard Forest in Massachusetts have pointed out a disturbing and growing trend; the clearcutting of trees for the purpose of development, resulting in hard deforestation. In hard deforestation, wooded lands are replaced with roads, parking lots, malls, and developments, making it impossible for nature to recover itself. Hard deforestation, as a result, causes a permanent net decrease in wooded lands.

Clearcutting, or removing all the trees from a geographic area, is a type of hard deforestation.
Clearcutting, or removing all the trees from a geographic area, is a type of hard deforestation.

Woodlands are extremely valuable for a number of reasons. Environmentally, they help to sequester carbon emissions, provide habitat to animals, and also act as temperature regulators. In regions with parks and wooded areas, these natural features can help to reduce temperature swings, keeping the region cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Many people also simply enjoy woodlands, finding them beautiful and pleasant, and these individuals are concerned about the loss of quality of life which is caused by hard deforestation.

Organizations which are trying to combat hard deforestation want to encourage people to value forests as they are, without the need for development. Some of these groups also promote selective timber harvesting, which makes forested land valuable. Others suggest that woodlands could be stocked with game for hunting, or turned into pleasure parks for people to enjoy, thus creating intrinsic value for wooded areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is hard deforestation?

Hard deforestation refers to the large-scale, intensive clearing of forests, typically for agricultural expansion, logging, or urban development. Unlike softer forms of deforestation, which might involve selective logging or smaller-scale clearances, hard deforestation often results in the complete removal of trees over vast areas, leading to significant habitat loss and biodiversity decline.

How does hard deforestation impact biodiversity?

Hard deforestation has a profound impact on biodiversity. It destroys habitats, leading to species displacement and loss. According to the World Wildlife Fund, forests are home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. When forests are cleared, the intricate web of life they support unravels, pushing many species towards extinction and disrupting ecosystems.

What are the primary drivers behind hard deforestation?

The primary drivers of hard deforestation include agricultural expansion, particularly for commodities like palm oil, soy, and beef, logging for timber and paper products, infrastructure development, and urban sprawl. The World Bank reports that agriculture accounts for 80% of deforestation worldwide, with illegal logging also being a significant contributor.

Can hard deforestation contribute to climate change?

Yes, hard deforestation is a major contributor to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and when they are cut down, this carbon is released into the atmosphere. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations states that deforestation is responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global warming.

What are the social implications of hard deforestation?

Hard deforestation can have severe social implications, particularly for indigenous communities and local populations that rely on forests for their livelihoods, culture, and sustenance. It can lead to conflicts over land rights, displacement of people, and loss of resources. Additionally, it can affect water cycles and soil fertility, impacting agriculture and food security.

Are there effective strategies to combat hard deforestation?

Effective strategies to combat hard deforestation include enforcing strict logging regulations, promoting sustainable land management practices, and supporting reforestation efforts. Initiatives like REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) aim to incentivize conservation through financial mechanisms. Consumer awareness and demand for sustainably sourced products also play a crucial role in reducing deforestation.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon258536

Good article in pointing out the results of the Harvard study, however when the author mentions suggestions of stocking the forest with game, I think the notion that we can never allow nature to do what it does naturally, but must always be "managed" to improve on it can be counterproductive.

An example of this is the notion that managed forests are better, when in fact, the forests that sequester the most carbon to help prevent global warming are the forests that were disturbed the least by logging, which is a synonym for management. Most of the carbon sequestered in the forest is actually in the soil, which when disturbed by logging, releases large amounts of carbon.

I know some scenarios, like selective cutting, could theoretically protect the soil from this loss to some extent, however because selective cutting has been so abused by "high grading" (the process of taking the good straight trees and leaving the crooked or damaged trees), the only hope for restoring these forests to a productive timber factory is to clear cut these degraded stands and start over. This, of course, releases huge amounts of carbon, especially when the wood or byproducts of the timber are then burned in biomass plants releasing even more CO2 into the atmosphere.

anon7191

what are some examples of deforestation happening in earth?

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    • When land is clear cut and trees cannot grow back, it is known as hard deforestation.
      By: Lars Johansson
      When land is clear cut and trees cannot grow back, it is known as hard deforestation.
    • Clearcutting, or removing all the trees from a geographic area, is a type of hard deforestation.
      By: Taina Sohlman
      Clearcutting, or removing all the trees from a geographic area, is a type of hard deforestation.