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Deforestation Research Paper

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Deforestation Research Paper
Habitat Destruction

Our planet is only able to foster life if its delicate balance is maintained. If this balance were to be disturbed, the results would be truly catastrophic. The destruction of the earth’s natural habitats is something that happens every day, and is a threat to its ecological balance. This type of destruction must be stopped because the state of our world as we know it is at stake.
Forests, in particular, can be found all over the world and are a vitally important part of our planet because they cover much of its surface and are abundant with both animals and natural resources. From tropical forests to temperate forests, these habitats are all important. Humans exploit many of the products of these forests, particularly timber. Unfortunately, some do not harvest timber in a responsible, sustainable manner. Because of this, forests are shrinking, habitats are disappearing, and animals are now forced to find new habitats, as their old ones have been ravaged and eradicated. It is obvious that “deforestation is taking place at an unsustainable rate, and forests are being cut at an unsustainable rate” (Acheson). Fortunately for us, habitat destruction can be decreased by harvesting and replanting different segments of forest land in a staggered order.
Each individual habitat on our planet is important because each species has different needs and thus requires a habitat fit specifically for them. All living things are connected. If one group becomes extinct, that disrupts the natural balance of our planet. Keeping habitats, such as forests, in good condition ensures that we can maintain the ecological balance on our planet and that both the human race and all species inhabiting earth can grow and progress as they have for so long. This issue, however, is so much broader than simply protecting animals. Everything people do to affect the environment will, in turn, affect them as well. Therefore society must be mindful of



Cited: Acheson, James M., and Jon Mccloskey. "Causes of Deforestation: The Maine Case." Human Ecology 36.6 (2008): 909-22. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. "The True Cost of Leaving Roadkill Where it was Hit." Bozeman Daily ChronicleFeb 22 2010. Western Newsstand. Web. 16 Dec. 2012 . Ewing, R., J. Kostyack, D. Chen, B. Stein, and M. Ernst. “Endangered by Sprawl: How Runaway Development Threatens America’s Wildlife.” National Wildlife Federation. January 2005. Web. 9 Oct. 2012 Frank Hugelmeyer Guest, Commentary B. "Investing in Recreation would Benefit Forests." Denver Post: 0. Aug 26 2005. Western Newsstand. Web. 16 Dec. 2012 . Grady, J. Harper, et al. "Fifty Years of Deforestation and Forest Fragmentation in Madagascar." Environmental Conservation 34.4 (2007): 325-33. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Johannesen, Edda, et al. "A Demographic Analysis of Vole Population Responses to Fragmentation and Destruction of Habitat." Population Ecology 45.1 (2003): 47-58. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. Lennart, W. Pyritz, et al. "Effects of Habitat Structure and Fragmentation on Diversity and Abundance of Primates in Tropical Deciduous Forests in Bolivia." International Journal of Primatology 31.5 (2010): 796-812. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. Litvaitis, John A., and Jeffrey P. Tash. "An Approach Toward Understanding Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions." Environmental management 42.4 (2008): 688-97. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. Peñas, Julio, et al. "Habitat Fragmentation in Arid Zones: A Case Study of Linaria Nigricans Under Land use Changes (SE Spain)." Environmental management 48.1 (2011): 168-76. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. "Reforestation and Deforestation." New York Times: 0. Nov 20 2006. Los Angeles Times; National Newspapers Core; New York Times. Web. 13 Dec. 2012 .

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