EFFECTS OF FOREST ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Uses of Forest Resources/Products

Forest resources play an important role in the economy of the country.

The value of forest can be described under the following headings: Productive, Protective, aesthetic, and economic uses.

Productive Uses

(i)   Timber:  The wood of trees such as Iroko, Mahogany, obeche, and Teak are raw materials used extensively in the construction and furniture industries to produce canoes, coffins, and carvings. Forest trees such as Gmelina are also processed into pulp which is an industrial raw material for making paper and newsprint. Fuel wood and charcoal are also derived from forest trees (timber)

(ii)   Food:  Many forest trees provide edible fruits, nuts, vegetables, and mushrooms which nourish the body. Forest animals (wildlife) make a major contribution to the protein requirement of Nigerians.

(iii)   Medicines:  Some forest trees are medicinal. Their roots, stems, leaves, and bark can be used to cure a wide range of sicknesses. Such trees include Neem, Eucalyptus, Cinchona etc.

(iv)   Beddings:  Silk from silk- silk cotton tree is used in making pillows and mattresses.

(v)   Domestic and Industrial raw material:  Exudates of some forest trees provide the raw materials for rope, fibers, dyes, resins, gum, rubber, and tannins which are used for both domestic and industrial purposes.

(vi)   Leather:  Animal skin is used for leather works such as bags, drums, and others.

(vii) Fuel:  Charcoal and dead wood are used for fuel (making fire) or heating.

INFLUENCE OR EFFECTS OF FOREST ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Forest influences our environment in the following ways:

(i)     Purification of Air: All living things breathe in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide as the by-product of respiration. Forests purify the air by utilizing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and releasing oxygen which is needed for our respiration.

(ii)    Cloud and Rain Formation: Water lost into the atmosphere from trees through transpiration causes very high humidity which results in cloud formation and rainfall. The forest also influences rainfall by intercepting moisture-laden winds and causing them to rise. When the winds cool down rain follows.

(iii)   Windbreak: Forest trees reduce the effect of strong wind on farmlands and bare soils thereby checking erosion and desert encroachment.

(iv)   Erosion control: Forest trees and shrubs form a thick cover on land. This reduces the impact of raindrops on the soil and controls erosion which could wash it away. Roots and trunks have a binding effect on the soil.

(v)    Improvement of Soil fertility: When the trees die leaves fall decay and form humus which helps in improving soil fertility.

(vi)   Prevention of Leaching: Soil nutrients (minerals) that could have been permanently lost by leaching are absorbed by the long tap roots of forest trees. Shed leaves and branches of these trees decay and release the minerals back to the surface soil where they can be utilized by shallow-rooted plants.

The organic matter formed from decayed leaves and branches also improves soil structure by binding the soil together this prevents excessive leaching of soil nutrients.

(vii) Soil water conservation: The canopy of forest leaves reduces the impact of direct sunshine on the soil thereby reducing evaporation of soil water.

HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT AFFECT THE FOREST

(a)    Deforestation:  This is the continuous removal of forest trees (either by bush burning or indiscriminating felling) without replacing them. Uncontrolled deforestation should never be allowed because of its adverse effects on some of these effects include:

(i) It destroys the microclimate and warms up the forest environment.

(ii) It depletes the supply of forest raw materials e.g. timber to industries.

(iii)   It reduces the forest wildlife population.

(iv)   It may lead to desert encroachment as sand particles are more likely to drop in areas without trees.

(v) It encourages soil erosion and loss of organic matter resulting in loss of forest soil fertility.

(b)   Depletion of wildlife:  Indiscriminate bush burning and farming activities reduce the game (wildlife) population in the forests.

Some important species are being exterminated gradually. This is because thick forests which provide an enabling environment or habitat for the animals have become easy prey to hunters and some others have fled to new environments.

(c)    Poaching:  This refers to the illegal hunting of animals in the forest. Poaching reduces the population of forest wildlife. It also results in the extinction of some important species of forest animals.