Ecology: Deforestation by Faith Sowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d Is it possible to restore an ecosystem to its original form? en-us 2018-05-14 19:47:59 UTC 2025-12-20 18:46:06 UTC hello@padlet.com What is deforestation? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260625775 When you hear the term "deforestation," a lot of things could be thought of. The loss of habitat, natural resources, changing of ecosystems, etc. However, one thing is for sure, deforestation is not linked in with beneficial. So, what is deforestation? Deforestation is the process of clearing wooded areas and forests for a number of reasons. These can include: needing the wood in ways like profit, needing the land for expansion, and so on.
A large motive of deforestation is farming and slash and burn agriculture. When farming, many farmers have a desire to expand their land, so cutting down wooded areas so more crops can be grown, cattle can graze, whatever they need. Another provider is slash and burn agriculture. Slash and burn agriculture is where forests and burned and crop is grown over this. It can also be used when burning tall grasses, which is very dangerous. More often than not, the vegetation will not grow back the same. Soil is damaged, dust clouds up, and water can also be contaminated. 
Deforestation isn't good for the ecosystem either. Many times, biodiversity is lost by forests being cut down. Animals lose their habitat and have to leave the area or they could die in the act. Another issue is that plants and animals essentially run the world. Sure, we have leaders and factories, but most of our resources come directly from those organisms. Plants provide oxygen for us to live while animals provide meat, materials, and other things for us. Without these creatures, we wouldn't have the necessities we have today. This is why it is imperative that we find a way to help fight off deforestation, because once we lose our forests, we might be lost too.]]> 2018-05-14 19:50:01 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260625775 Why reforestation? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260629484 Reforestation is a prime example on how to relieve deforestation! Reforestation is replanting a lost ecosystem with trees or strengthening one. It's not always trees, sometimes it's other vegetation as well. This process benefits the environment by helping forest structure, water, and reestablishing lost habitats. It can also help immensely with the soil.
However, especially in foreign countries, deforestation with illegal logging is a large issue. While watching a TED talk video on "How to restore a rain forest," the man explained, "That the people would become the defenders of that forest." Basically, he is saying that to successfully regrow a forest, you have to have the consent of the people and their support. That's really hard to achieve in foreign countries! Logging of forests is considered a part of their income in order to survive. It battles with the question of: why should you tell someone, who is trying to survive, what to do with their land? That's why it is extremely important to gain the support of the people in that area so that they can become protectors of the forest instead of hurting it.
Reforestation must happen in waves to ensure competition for certain plants isn't too high. To regrow a forest, you have to grow it in waves to make sure the soil remains fertile, competition is low, and plants are receiving proper care and attention.
"When I see land without tress...I feel as though there's something missing; there's a layer missing" (Love it tv, reforesting scotland). This quote was about the vast bareness of Scotland. Scotland is well known for their treeless hills and openness, but it didn't use to be that way. An overpopulation of animals, logging, and more caused its trees to slowly disappear throughout the years.
Therefore, it isn't an option to start reforestation, it's a need. All living and nonliving things of our ecosystems are threatened by the loss of habitat and it is hurting our planet more and more each day!]]> 2018-05-14 20:05:49 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260629484 Is there a solution? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260636394 As lovely and amazing that would be, there is not a real solution to deforestation. You can combat it, you can slow down the process, but the effects will still remain. I don't necessarily think there is a direct answer to my essential question. I believe an environment can be improved way beyond it's original state. So, in that sense, deforestation can slightly get better. Much like recycling, there will be people who do recycle, and those who don't. There will be people who will cut down trees and forest fires that will destroy habitats.
But, there is a way to stop deforestation in the act. Created by Topher White, a solar powered cellphone holder is attached to a tree. Then, this phone can pick up the sound and send out an alert. I believe this offers a way to lose less trees, even if they're harmed.]]> 2018-05-14 20:31:32 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260636394 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260639095 Below is a group of people working together to regrow crops and trees.
myclimate, s (2018). Community reforestation.]]> 2018-05-14 20:41:46 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260639095 Survey Results Question 1: Trees are lost everyday,. However, are you impacted by this? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260639731
]]> 2018-05-14 20:43:46 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260639731 Survey Results Questions 2: If you had the opportunity to regrow a lost ecosystem, would you? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260658923
]]> 2018-05-14 22:37:09 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260658923 Survey Results Question 3: Is regrowing deforested environments pointless? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260659479
]]> 2018-05-14 22:42:41 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260659479 Survey Results Question 4: Should illegal loggers be held accountable, even in foreign countries where a law may not be enforced? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260659928
]]> 2018-05-14 22:47:34 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260659928 Survey Results Question 5: Are animals at all harmed during deforestation? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260660387
]]> 2018-05-14 22:51:41 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260660387 Survey Results Question 6: Reforestation is beneficial to the ecosystem 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260660704
]]> 2018-05-14 22:54:36 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260660704 Survey Results Question 7: In the end is deforestation inevitable? 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260661122
]]> 2018-05-14 22:58:03 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260661122 Vocabulary 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260661568 System thinking- The understanding of how different parts of a system can influence one another within a whole.
Ecology- The relationship or organisms to on another and their surroundings; a movement set to protect the environment.
Invasive species- A non-native organism that can cause harm to the ecosystem.
Indicator species- An organism who can cause change to its environment and fellow species depending on its condition.
Keystone species- A species which other species depend on in an ecosystem. Once removed, the ecosystem would change drastically.
Biomimicry- The design and production materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes.
Apex predator- A "top" predator that is at the head of the food chin/web with no other predators.
Trophic cascade- Indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems. This occurs when predators alter the behavior of their prey.
Deforestation- The removal of forests, usually resulting in habitat loss.
Biodiversity- A variety of life in the world or ecosystem.
Regrowth- Renewed growth or expansion.
Food web- A system of interlocking, interdependent food chains.
Species- A group of living organisms consisting of similar traits and can interbreed.
Natural resources- Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.
Endangered species- A species of animal or plant that us seriously at risk of extinction. 
Reforestation- The process of replanting an area.
Silvicultural- The controlling of establishment, growth composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values.]]> 2018-05-14 23:01:34 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260661568 Sources 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260663255 References
Featherstone, A. (2016). Restoring the ancient Caledonian Forest | Alan Watson-Featherstone | TEDxFindhorn. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDtsExXe93Q [Accessed 6 May 2018].

Fs.fed.us. (2018). Reforestation. [online] Available at: https://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/vegetation-management/reforestation/index.shtml [Accessed 6 May 2018].

Martin, I. (2017). Reforesting Scotland / Planting Trees / Rewilding Britain / Trees for life. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBHA8ZqhI_k [Accessed 6 May 2018].

myclimate, S. (n.d.). Community Reforestation. [online] Stiftung myclimate. Available at: https://www.myclimate.org/carbon-offset-projects/projekt/nicaragua-forestry-7186/ [Accessed 6 May 2018].

Nationalgeographic.com. (2017). Deforestation and Its Effect on the Planet. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation/ [Accessed 6 May 2018].

Smith, M. (2017). The Wet Desert. [online] Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/187357464 [Accessed 6 May 2018].

Smits, W. (2009). How to restore a rainforest. [online] Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/willie_smits_restores_a_rainforest [Accessed 6 May 2018].

White, T. (2014). What can save the rainforest? Your used cell phone. [online] Ted.com. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/topher_white_what_can_save_the_rainforest_your_used_cell_phone [Accessed 6 May 2018].

]]> 2018-05-14 23:15:18 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260663255 The Wet Desert 21fsowder https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260665371 Most likely caused be environmental change, Frank Fraser Darling discovered the lacking desert in Dartmoor. This desert coined the name "The Wet Desert" since it had little biodiversity, however, it use to be full of life.

https://vimeo.com/187357464]]> 2018-05-14 23:32:24 UTC https://padlet.com/21fsowder/m5u8s481ob7d/wish/260665371