Consequences of Deforestation in Australia

Running head: Research design and Planning 7161ENV 1
Consequences of Deforestation in Australia
(Author’s name)
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Research design and Planning 7161ENV 2
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Effects of Deforestation in Climate and Wildlife............................................................................4
Loss of wildlife species...............................................................................................................5
Soil erosion and damage..............................................................................................................5
Global warming and greenhouse gas emission............................................................................6
Reduction in Economy................................................................................................................6
Importance of Trees Planting in the reduction of effects of deforestation in Australia..................6
Policy instruments Already used in Australia to Prevent Deforestation.........................................8
Gaps and Challenges of Policies Implementation...........................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................11
Table of tables
Table 1 Australia forest change cover in both percentage and in hectares between the year
1990 to 2005 ...................................................................................................................................4
Table 2 Importance’s of Tree Planting .......................................................................................7

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Introduction
Deforestation is one of the major leading human dependent factors that affect the world
climate and Australia is not exceptional. Forests are major climatic benefits such as the creation
of free oxygen, prevention of soil erosion, providing beautiful scenarios for the nation, and
providing habitats for both mammals and reptiles(Bradshaw, 2012). Chopping down the trees
without a plan and for the purpose of self, political and other commercial benefits will definitely
lead to major environmental consequences. Forests in Australia have changed a lot over the past
three to four decades(Evans, 2016). Australia has become number five country with the highest
rates of deforestation across the globe even more than third world countries like Zimbabwe,
Nigeria, Mexico and Congo. According to the department of environment, Australia usually
loose around 325, 900 hectares of forest annually (Cool Australia, 2019). This has led to a loss of
25% rainforest 30% malee forest, 32 woodlands forest and 45% open forests in just last two
centuries. This is over half a million hectares that are cleared in each yea (Cool Australia, 2019)r.
Due to these facts, most precious animals in the country are threatened which include a
sooty owl, tiger qual, long footed potolo, spotted tree frog, regent honeyeater and the yellow-
billed glider. The facts show that, in every tree planted in Australia, around 8 of them are cut.
Over 85% of deforestation in the country usually occurs in Queensland(Evans, 2016). However,
relating to the national total land area, Tasmania has the highest tree cutting rates whereas
Victoria has the highest rates of native vegetation. In order to combat deforestation in the
country, various strategies like tree planting need to be put into place together with policies that
discourage deforestation. Below is a table that show how the forest cover changed in the year
1990 , 2000, and 2005 due to deforestation

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Table 1 Australia forest change cover in both percentage and in hectares between the year 1990
to 2005
Years Forest in ha Annual change in
percentage between the
periods
1990 167,904, 2000 -0.19%
2000 167, 245,000 -0.12%
2005 163, 678,000 -2.52
(Cool Australia, 2019)
Effects of Deforestation in Climate and Wildlife
The basic cause of cutting down of trees worldwide is the demand for land for
agriculture. However, other causes come along with agriculture which includes infrastructure,
mining and some for reckless destruction. In Australia, most deforestation is undertaken to
provide areas and create pastures for livestock(Buizer, Humphreys, & De Jong, 2014). This
process was slowed between the early 1990s and the year 2000 due to legislation in Queensland
and New South Wales but recent changes in policies have made it easier for people to cut down
trees ( Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2015 ). Deforestation can also be led by
natural changes such as drought and disastrous forest fires. However, deforestation with no or
minimal reforestation has vast of both wildlife and climatic impacts (McElvaney, 2019).
According to Wild Wide Fund Australia, the effects of trees cutting include soil erosion, global
warming, loss of plants and animal species, drought and reduction in rainfall, and loss of
beautiful sceneries (Cool Australia, 2019 ). The following are some of the consequences of
deforestation that have occurred or will probably happen in Australia if something is not done;