5. Reducing the area of forests on the planet

The main causes of deforestation are: expansion of agricultural land and deforestation to use timber. Forests are cut down in connection with the construction of communication lines. The green cover of the tropics is most intensively destroyed. In most developing countries, logging is carried out in connection with the use of wood as fuel, and forests are also burned to obtain arable land. Reduced and degraded from pollution of the atmosphere and soils of forests in high developed countries. There is a massive drying up of the tops of trees, due to their defeat by acid rain. The consequences of deforestation are unfavorable for pastures and arable land. This situation could not go unnoticed. The most developed and, at the same time, forest-poor countries are already implementing programs to conserve and improve forest lands. Thus, in Japan and Australia, as well as in some Western European countries, the areas under forests remain stable, and depletion of the forest stand is not observed. The state of forests in the world cannot be considered safe. Forests are intensively cut down and not always restored. The annual felling volume is more than 4.5 billion m3. The world community is especially concerned about the problem of tropical and subtropical zones, where more than half of the world's annual cutting area is cut down. Already degraded 160 million hectares rainforest, and of the 11 million hectares cut down annually, only a tenth is restored by plantations. Over the past 200 years, the area of forests has decreased by at least 2 times. They are in danger of total annihilation. Every year, forests are destroyed on an area of 125,000 km2. sq., which is equal to the territory of such countries as Austria and Switzerland combined. Rainforests covering 7% earth's surface in areas close to the equator, they are often referred to as the lungs of our planet. Their role in the enrichment of the atmosphere with oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide is exceptionally great. Tropical forests have a huge impact on the planet's climate. This is a very important, vast part of a complex and well-established mechanism of nature - the Earth's biosphere. If its normal operation is disrupted, it will lead to serious consequences, it will hurt all of us, where

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The consequences of deforestation are unfavorable for pastures and arable land. This situation could not go unnoticed. The most developed and, at the same time, forest-poor countries are already implementing programs to conserve and improve forest lands. Thus, in Japan and Australia, as well as in some Western European countries, the area under forests remains stable, and depletion of the forest stand is not observed. The state of forests in the world cannot be considered safe. Forests are intensively cut down and not always restored. The annual felling volume is more than 4.5 billion m 3 .

The world community is especially concerned about the problem of forests in the tropical and subtropical zones, where more than half of the world's annual cutting area is cut down. Already degraded 160 million hectares of tropical forests, and of the 11 million hectares cut down annually, only a tenth of them are restored by plantations. Over the past 200 years, the area of forests has decreased by at least 2 times.

They are in danger of total annihilation. Every year, forests are destroyed on an area of 125,000 km2. sq., which is equal to the territory of such countries as Austria and Switzerland combined. Tropical forests covering 7% of the earth's surface in areas close to the equator are often referred to as the lungs of our planet. Their role in the enrichment of the atmosphere with oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide is exceptionally great. Tropical forests have a huge impact on the planet's climate.

This is a very important, extensive part of a complex and well-established mechanism by nature - the Earth's biosphere. If its normal operation is disrupted, it will lead to serious consequences, it will hurt all of us, wherever we live. Fires in the Amazon are of particular concern. Because it releases carbon dioxide. The astronauts testify: the forest in the Amazon is covered in a gray haze over vast areas. It is being burned to clear another piece of land for plantations. The average number of small fires in some months reaches 8,000.

At some point, the entire forest South America may eventually burst into one giant bonfire due to multiple arson. The right to decide the fate of tropical forests belongs entirely to the Amazonian countries. In 1989, 8 South American member states of the Amazonian Pact adopted the "Amazonian Declaration". She calls for the protection of the ecological and cultural heritage of the Amazonian regions, a rational approach to the tasks of their socio-economic development, and respect for the rights of the Indian tribes and peoples living there. The situation with forests is also unfavorable on the European continent.

At the forefront here are the problems of atmospheric pollution by industrial emissions, which are already beginning to have a continental character. They affected 30% of the forests of Austria, 50% of the forests of Germany, as well as the forests of Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Germany. Along with spruce, pine, and fir, which are sensitive to pollution, such relatively resistant species as beech and oak began to be damaged. The forests of the Scandinavian countries have been severely affected by acid rain formed during the dissolution of sulfur dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by the industry of other European countries.

Similar phenomena have been noted in Canadian forests from pollution carried from the United States. Cases of forest loss around industrial facilities are also observed in Russia, in particular on the Kola Peninsula and in the Bratsk region. Tropical forests are dying. Virtually all types of habitats are being destroyed, but the problem is most acute in tropical rainforests. Every year there is cut down or otherwise exposed to forests on an area equal to approximately the entire territory of Great Britain.

If the current rate of destruction of these forests is maintained, in 20-30 years there will be practically nothing left of them. Meanwhile, according to experts, two thirds of the 5-10 million species of living organisms that inhabit our planet are found in tropical forests. Most often, excessive population growth is cited as the main cause of the death of most of the rainforests.

This last circumstance in developing countries leads to an increase in the supply of firewood for heating homes and an expansion of areas for slash-and-burn agriculture, practiced local residents. Some experts believe that the accusation is directed to the wrong address, since, in their opinion, the destruction of only 10-20% of forests is associated with the slashing method of cultivating the land.

A much larger part of the rainforest is being destroyed due to the widespread development of pastoralism and the construction of military roads in Brazil, as well as as a result of an increase in the need for timber. tropical trees exported from Brazil, Africa and South-East Asia. How to stop the loss of tropical forests? A number of organizations such as The World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have put a lot of thought and money into trying to stop the massive loss of tropical forests. For the period from 1968 to 1980. The World Bank spent 1,154,900

The state of forests in the world cannot be considered safe. Forests are intensively cut down and not always restored. The annual felling volume is more than 4.5 billion m 3 . The world community is especially concerned about the problem of forests in the tropical and subtropical zones, where more than half of the world's annual cutting area is cut down. Already degraded 160 million hectares of tropical forests, and of the 11 million hectares cut down annually, only a tenth of them are restored by plantations.

In the conditions of ever-increasing urbanization, the growth of the population of cities and industrial centers, people's desire to relax in the bosom of nature is increasing - in forests and other natural recreation areas. The healing effect of the forest is also great during a short stay in it: there is an improvement in the activity of the heart, deepening of breathing, a decrease in the excitability of the cerebral cortex, while mood improves, working capacity is restored.

Many forest areas, primarily suburban forests, have turned into places of mass recreation. However, the consequence of the desire for country air has become a great environmental damage that vacationers cause to nature. More and more new forest territories fall into the sphere of reaction, recreational loads are growing, causing a deterioration in the quality of the forest, and in some cases its complete degradation. Sanitary-hygienic, water-protective and soil-protective functions decrease natural forests lost their aesthetic value. It is quite obvious that forests that are more or less actively used for recreation require certain management regimes, specific forms of territory organization, and regular monitoring of their condition.

In the process of evolution of society, the nature and extent of human impact on the forest, as well as on nature as a whole, changed. According to estimates, the area occupied by forests has decreased by 2 times over the historical period. Some forests have been particularly hard hit: 40-50% of the original area of mixed and widely deciduous forests, 85-90% - monsoon, 70-80% - Mediterranean dry.

Less than 5% of the forests remained on the great Chinese and Indo-Gangetic plains. The pace of deforestation is not slowing down: every year their area is reduced by 200 thousand km². Of particular concern is the condition of tropical forests, figuratively speaking, the "lungs" of our planet, which are cut down at a rate of 15-20 hectares per minute (this issue will be discussed in more detail below).

Russia's forests have also been subjected to intense destruction. In the European part alone, from the end of the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century, about 40 million hectares of forest were destroyed. As a result, the forest cover decreased from 50% to 33%, or one and a half times.

The area of forests subjected to recreational pressure in Russia and the CIS countries is 320-400 thousand km². In this area, there is a significant violation of forest ecosystems, ecological ties. Decreased forest cover. The selectivity of felling affects the species composition of the forest. In our forests, this leads to a decrease in the proportion of conifers.

The worst enemy of the forest is fire. Fire is compared to soil erosion, and rightly so. Erosion is the scourge of agriculture, fire is the scourge of forests. In the 90s of the 20th century, up to 30 thousand fires occurred annually on the territory of Russia, covering 2 or more million hectares.

Great damage to forest resources is caused by waterlogging of the soil, flooding as a result of the construction of hydroelectric power stations (especially in flat areas), reservoirs, highways and railways etc. The loss of forests for these reasons can be observed in almost all regions of Russia. Industrial enterprises, emitting into the atmosphere, water, soil various chemical compounds, cause oppression and death of trees, shrubs.

Significant damage to forests, vegetation of meadows and pastures is caused by an increased content of lead in the air, especially near major highways with intense road traffic, leading to its accumulation in the tissues and, as a result, causes oppression, and often death.

The types of anthropogenic pollution of nature most negatively affecting forests are acid rains. Their intensity can be judged by the precipitation of sulfur. Surroundings are characterized by the highest rates.

Dust is harmful to forest vegetation. cement plants, limestone and silicon rocks. From their action, stomata are clogged, chlorophyll is destroyed, and a crust forms on the surface.

Forests frequently visited by tourists are so thoroughly littered with tin cans, bottles, rags, paper, etc., they bear traces of large and small wounds that this negatively affects natural reforestation. They carry and carry bouquets of flowers, branches of greenery, trees, shrubs. The question is, what will happen if each of those who come to the forest picks only one branch, one flower? And it is no coincidence that after a number of years of poaching attitude to nature in our, especially suburban, forests, many once abundant plants, shrubs and trees have disappeared. In the spring, tens of thousands of citizens rush to the forests for bird cherry and lilac. Not satisfied with modest bouquets. Armfuls, brooms, often on the roofs of cars. How can one not envy the delicate taste of the Japanese, who believe that a bouquet is spoiled if it contains more than three flowers.

Forest protection and restoration

The main task of protecting forests is their rational use and recovery. It is important to increase the productivity of forests, protect them from fires and pests.

With proper forest management, felling in some areas should be repeated after 80-100 years. In many central regions of European Russia, they are forced to return to re-cutting much earlier. Exceeding the felling norms has led to the fact that in many areas the forests have lost their climate-forming and water-regulating value. The proportion of small-leaved forests has increased significantly.

Another important forest conservation measure is the control of timber loss. The greatest losses occur during the harvesting of timber. A lot of wood and needles remain at the cutting sites, which can be used for making coniferous flour. These wastes are promising for obtaining essential oils.

Part of the wood is lost during logging. In some years, so many logs are carried into the northern seas by rivers that in the Scandinavian countries there are special ships to catch them. Near the enterprises of the woodworking industry, factories for the production of furniture from fibreboard are being built.

The most important condition for the preservation forest resources serves timely reforestation. Only a third of the annually cut down forests in Russia are restored naturally, the rest require special measures for their renewal. Drainage reclamation plays an important role in reforestation: planting trees, shrubs and grasses that improve the soil. This contributes to the rapid growth of trees and improves the quality of wood.

In clearings where natural reforestation does not occur, after loosening the soil, seeds are sown or seedlings grown in pets are planted.

IN last years there has been a renewed interest in sustainable forest management and sustainable forest management, that is, the use of forest resources in such a way that the forest ecosystem is minimally damaged. On clearings, the forest is gradually renewed, and after a few decades, it can be harvested again.

Let us consider how logging is carried out with sustainable forest management in traditional forests.

A professional arborist and his assistants are walking through the undergrowth. They are one of several teams that will spend about six months in the wilderness, taking inventory of the forest. The logging company has a long-term concession to use this forest. Therefore, the workers have time to inspect the trees in order to save the forest for future use.

The arborist notes the registration number of each tree and determines its species. He must be an expert in his field, because there are hundreds of varieties of tree species. At the next stage of work, modern technology cannot be dispensed with.

The arborist enters data about the tree into a handheld device connected to the global positioning system satellites, indicating its size, species and registration number. Then he presses the enter key - and all this information is transmitted from the wilderness to one of the computers in a distant noisy city.

After that, the forest manager using his computer makes a printout of the map, on which all farms are marked. valuable trees in this area of the forest. It determines which of them can be cut down in accordance with the current legislation. For many species, it is permissible to cut only 50 percent of trees larger than the diameter specified in the concession. The most mature and healthy trees are left on the vine for seed production.

But how to cut down a forest without harming it? The tree stand map helps with this. It allows you to plan logging operations so that the forest does not cause serious damage. You can even plan in advance the direction in which you need to cut down the trees so that they damage the neighboring trees as little as possible.

Lumberjacks using this method are thinking about how they will collect the trunks with a winch, without driving up to every fallen tree with a bulldozer. Before felling a tree, loggers cut off the vines with which it is intertwined with neighboring trees so that they are less affected. They also develop the forest area allocated to them gradually, each year drawing up a plan and logging in such a way that they do not cut trees in the same area for at least 20, and in some places even 30 years.

“The health of the forest largely depends on the animals. They are playing important role pollination and seed dispersal. Lumberjacks using the sustainable forest management method do their best not to disturb the peace of the forest dwellers. For example, they carefully consider where to lay access roads so that there are fewer of them, and the distance between them is greater. They make them as narrow as possible so that the crowns of the trees close together. Thanks to this, animals such as sloths and monkeys do not need to climb down from the trees to cross the road.

For example, protective forest strips left on both sides of each stream or river allow animals to move from one place to another through the untouched forest.

“They are trying to preserve not only the vital areas of the forest along the waterways, but also caves, exposed areas rocks, old hollow or fruiting. When they finish logging in one area, the loggers block the roads or patrol them so that no one hunts in the forest and cuts it without permission.

Is sustainable forest management cost-effective? With the exception of individual conservationists, loggers are generally less enthusiastic about conservation programs wildlife. They perceive any restrictions as obstacles on the way to making a profit.

However, studies conducted in the eastern Amazon in the late 1990s showed that the costs of mapping, vine pruning and systematic timber removal were more than paid off by improved forest management. For example, mapping can help reduce wood loss. And when there is no map, the timber transport team often cannot find trees in the dense forest that have been felled by lumberjacks.

In addition, timber products certified by independent experts as derived from sustainable forest management are in increasing demand.

Right now in Eastern Europe there are almost no original places left. Even the majestic northern taiga, where, as is commonly believed, no human foot has set foot, is the result of economic activity. The famous ship pines have grown on the site of former conflagrations. The natural mixed nature of flora and fauna, alas, has been lost. Any human economic activity, even the restoration of forests, leads to a decrease in species diversity. People diligently plant those trees that they consider indigenous to these places - spruce, pine and oak, and many other species are listed in the Red Book. Another reason for the impoverishment of species diversity is sanitary cuttings. Dead trees are unique ecological niches for many species of birds, insects, fungi and grasses. Spruce and fir grow only on fairly decomposed deadwood, which diligent foresters destroy with the best of intentions.

To restore full-fledged, diversely populated forests, the authors of the study suggest planting as many different types trees and herbs, including rare and imported ones. Landings must be different ages. In order to give the growing forests a semblance of a natural structure, it is necessary to arrange artificial "windows", cutting down trees on an area of 0.1-0.3 hectares. Previously, forests were interspersed with meadows - a haven for light-loving species. To preserve these species and maintain the meadows, it is necessary to either mow hay or graze cattle there. A more natural way is the reintroduction of bison. But for the sustainable existence of the bison population, a basin of a small river with tributaries - hundreds of square kilometers - is needed. It would be nice to put beavers in this river, but first you need to determine whether they have enough food, and then carefully guard the valleys of all streams and rivers where beavers can swim. Troublesome, expensive and long, but the forests themselves will recover even longer.

Fighting forest fires

Among the forest protection measures importance has fire fighting. The fire completely or partially destroys the forest biocenosis. Fires cause a large crown, destroying plants, game animals, etc. The main cause of fires is the careless handling of fire by a person: unextinguished fires, burning matches, cigarette butts. A great danger for the occurrence of fires are agricultural burnings, fire cleaning of cutting areas, flames and sparks from the exhaust pipes of tractors and cars.

Up to 97% of forest fires are caused by humans. Therefore, among the measures to combat fires, an important place should be occupied by fire propaganda among the population. In the forest areas there is a sentinel service to detect fires. When extinguishing forest fires, aviation brigades are used, sometimes military units and the entire population are mobilized to fight fires.

Protection of forests from pests and diseases

To control pests of forest plants, it is useful to attract insectivorous birds. They can regulate the number of insects, preventing their mass reproduction. To attract birds, favorable conditions are created for them: they hang artificial nests, feed them.

Biological pest control methods are cheap, harmless and most effective. They should be combined with other methods so that together they represent single system forest protection.

test

in the discipline "Nature Protection"

Introduction

1. Classification of forests

2. The value of the forest

2.1 Importance of the forest for human life

3. Causes of deforestation

4.1 Fighting forest fires

Conclusion

Bibliographic list

Introduction

Forest - a lot of trees growing in a large area with closed crowns. Such a definition is given in the Ozhegov dictionary.

The forest is used in various sectors of the national economy, it serves as a source of chemicals obtained during the processing of wood, bark, needles. The forest supplies raw materials for over 20 thousand articles and products. The forest is of great importance not only for humans, but also for animals and for the entire planet. However, in recent years there has been a decrease in forests everywhere. And this brings at present and will bring big problems to the environment. The purpose of this work is to study the problems of deforestation on the planet and possible methods for their salvation.

Forest classification

There are several classifications of the forest, depending on the place of distribution, the age of the trees, and their species.

Depending on the latitude

Depending on the latitude in which the forest is located, there are:

Tropical rainforests (selva, gilea, jungle) - equatorial evergreen forests: it has a large species diversity of flora and fauna. A large tier allows only a very small amount of light to penetrate inside (to the lower tiers). More than half of all tropical forests have already been destroyed. The classic example is Amazon forests, jungles of India and the Congo Basin.

Caatinga - dry deciduous tropical forests, fall during the drought period.

The eucalyptus groves of Australia are evergreen subtropical forests.

Deciduous forests (broad-leaved and small-leaved): found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to the penetration of light, life on the lower tiers is more active. Ancient forests of temperate latitudes are represented only by scattered remnants.

Taiga - coniferous forest: the most extensive range. Includes forests over 50% of Siberia, Alaska, Scandinavia and Canada. There are also araucaria groves in South America. Flora is represented mainly by coniferous evergreen trees and plants.

Mixed forests are forests in which both deciduous and coniferous trees grow. The range extends to almost all of Central and Western Europe.

2. The value of the forest

Forests have a significant impact on the weather, climate and processes occurring on the earth's surface and at some depth below it.

The forest interacts with the following components of the environment:

The forest participates in the oxygen cycle in nature in the most active way. Due to the huge mass of the forest, the importance of the processes of photosynthesis and respiration of forests has a huge impact on gas composition Earth's atmosphere. Solar energy is one of the main sources of forest existence. Thanks to solar energy, the forest can carry out the process of photosynthesis, which contributes to the release of oxygen necessary for the life of the subjects of the animal and plant world.

Hydrosphere. The forest is directly involved in the water cycle in nature and thus interacts with the hydrosphere. The forest delays soil water from leaving with the rivers in large reservoirs. Predatory deforestation along river banks leads to their catastrophic shallowing, which leads to a deterioration in the water supply of settlements and a decrease in the fertility of agricultural land.

In winter, masses of snow that do not melt for a long time under the forest cover retain water and thereby weaken the intensity of the often destructive spring floods.

Atmosphere. The influence of the forest on atmospheric processes is also great. There is a well-known practice of creating wind-protective forest belts, which also contribute to snow retention, as well as weaken wind force, leading to the removal of the fertile soil layer, devoid of vegetation cover due to its processing for crops.

Animal world. The forest serves as a habitat for many animals. Animals, in turn, often play a sanitary role in the forest.

Human. The forest is of great importance for human health and life. Human activity, in turn, affects the forest.

Lithosphere. The composition of the upper layers of the lithosphere is associated with the growth of forests in the respective areas

2.1 Importance of the forest for human life

In the old days in Russia they said: “To live near the forest is not to be hungry. The forest is richer than the king. The forest not only feeds the wolf, but also the peasant to his fill.

The following main areas of forest use for economic purposes can be distinguished:

Food source (mushrooms, berries, animals, birds, honey)

Energy source (wood)

Construction material

Raw materials for production (paper production)

Regulator of natural processes (forest planting to protect the soil from weathering)

Unfortunately, today the volume of deforestation is often several times higher than the volume of its natural restoration.

In this regard, in civilized countries, attention is paid to the reproduction of the forest, both through forest plantations that restore the number of trees, and the complete prohibition of any economic activity in some forests. This ensures natural reforestation in these areas, and in some countries there are a small number of forest areas where human intervention in the life of the forest has never taken place. In Germany, these forests are called "urwald" - primeval or ancient forest. They even coniferous trees(spruce) live up to the age of 400 years.

2.2 Importance of the forest for human health

The forest has great sanitary and hygienic and healing value. There are more than 300 different chemical compounds in the air of natural forests. Forests actively transform atmospheric pollution, especially gaseous ones. Conifers (pine, spruce, juniper), as well as some varieties of lindens and birches, have the highest oxidizing ability. The forest actively absorbs industrial pollution, in particular dust, hydrocarbons.

The forest, especially coniferous, emits phytoncides - volatile substances with bactericidal properties. Phytoncides kill pathogenic microbes. In certain doses, they have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, enhance the motor and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract, improve metabolism and stimulate cardiac activity. Many of them are enemies of pathogens of infectious diseases. But only if there are few of them. Phytoncides of poplar buds, Antonov apples, eucalyptus have a detrimental effect on the influenza virus. Oak leaves destroy typhoid and dysentery bacteria.

3. Causes of deforestation

The state of forests in the world cannot be considered safe. Forests are intensively cut down and not always restored. The annual felling volume is more than 4.5 billion m3. The world community is especially concerned about the problem of forests in the tropical and subtropical zones, where more than half of the world's annual cutting area is cut down. Already degraded 160 million hectares of tropical forests, and of the 11 million hectares cut down annually, only a tenth of them are restored by plantations.

Many forest areas, primarily suburban forests, have turned into places of mass recreation. However, the consequence of the desire for country air has become a great environmental damage that vacationers cause to nature. More and more new forest territories fall into the sphere of reaction, recreational loads are growing, causing a deterioration in the quality of the forest, and in some cases its complete degradation. The sanitary-hygienic, water-protective and soil-protective functions of natural forests are decreasing, their aesthetic value is being lost. It is quite obvious that forests that are more or less actively used for recreation require certain management regimes, specific forms of territory organization, and regular monitoring of their condition.

In the process of evolution of society, the nature and extent of human impact on the forest, as well as on nature as a whole, changed. According to estimates, the area occupied by forests has decreased by 2 times over the historical period. Some forests have been particularly affected: 40-50% of the original area of mixed and broad-leaved forests, 85-90% of monsoon forests, 70-80% of Mediterranean dry forests have already been reduced.

Less than 5% of the forests remained on the great Chinese and Indo-Gangetic plains. The pace of deforestation is not slowing down: annually their area is reduced by 200 thousand km². Of particular concern is the condition of tropical forests, figuratively speaking, the "lungs" of our planet, which are cut down at a rate of 15-20 hectares per minute (this issue will be discussed in more detail below).

Soil waterlogging, flooding as a result of the construction of hydroelectric power stations (especially in flat areas), reservoirs, highways and railways, etc. cause great damage to forest resources. Forest loss for these reasons can be observed in almost all regions of Russia. Industrial enterprises, throwing various chemical compounds into the atmosphere, water, soil, cause oppression and death of trees and shrubs.

Significant damage to forests, vegetation of meadows and pastures is caused by an increased content of lead in the air, especially near major highways with heavy traffic, leading to its accumulation in tissues and, as a result, causes oppression, and often death.

Harmful to forest vegetation is the dust of cement plants, limestone and silicon rocks. From their action, stomata are clogged, chlorophyll is destroyed, and a crust forms on the surface.

Forests frequently visited by tourists are so thoroughly littered with tin cans, bottles, rags, paper, etc., they bear traces of large and small wounds that this negatively affects natural reforestation. They carry and carry bouquets of flowers, branches of greenery, trees, shrubs. The question is, what will happen if each of those who come to the forest picks only one branch, one flower? And it is no coincidence that after a number of years of poaching attitude to nature in our, especially suburban, forests, many once abundant plants, shrubs and trees have disappeared. In the spring, tens of thousands of citizens rush to the forests for bird cherry and lilac. Not satisfied with modest bouquets. Armfuls, brooms, often on the roofs of cars. How can one not envy the delicate taste of the Japanese, who believe that the bouquet is spoiled if it contains more than three flowers.

4. Protection and restoration of forests

The main task of forest protection is their rational use and restoration. It is important to increase the productivity of forests, protect them from fires and pests.

The most important condition for the conservation of forest resources is timely reforestation. Only a third of the annually cut down forests in Russia are restored naturally, the rest require special measures for their renewal. Drainage reclamation plays an important role in reforestation: planting trees, shrubs and grasses that improve the soil. This contributes to the rapid growth of trees and improves the quality of wood.

In clearings where natural reforestation does not occur, after loosening the soil, seeds are sown or seedlings grown in pets are planted.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in sustainable forest management and sustainable forest management, that is, the use of forest resources in such a way that minimal damage is caused to the forest ecosystem. On clearings, the forest is gradually renewed, and after a few decades, it can be harvested again.

Let us consider how logging is carried out with sustainable forest management in traditional forests.

The forest manager then uses his computer to make a printout of a map showing all economically valuable trees in the given forest area. It determines which of them can be cut down in accordance with the current legislation. For many species, it is permissible to cut only 50 percent of trees larger than the diameter specified in the concession. The most mature and healthy trees are left on the vine for seed production.

“The health of the forest largely depends on the animals. They play an important role in pollination as well as seed dispersal. Lumberjacks using the sustainable forest management method do their best not to disturb the peace of the forest dwellers. For example, they carefully consider where to lay access roads so that there are fewer of them, and the distance between them is greater. They make them as narrow as possible so that the crowns of the trees close together. Thanks to this, animals such as sloths and monkeys do not need to climb down from the trees to cross the road.

For example, protective forest strips left on both sides of each stream or river allow animals to move from one place to another through the untouched forest.

“They are trying to preserve not only the vital areas of the forest along the streams, but also caves, outcrops of rocks, old hollow or fruit-bearing ones. When they finish logging in one area, the loggers block the roads or patrol them so that no one hunts in the forest and cuts it without permission.

Is sustainable forest management cost-effective? Aside from individual conservationists, loggers tend to be less enthusiastic about wildlife conservation programs. They perceive any restrictions as obstacles on the way to making a profit.

In addition, timber products that are certified by independent experts as obtained from sustainable forest management are in increasing demand.

Now in Eastern Europe there are almost no pristine places left. Even the majestic northern taiga, where, as is commonly believed, no human foot has set foot, is the result of economic activity. The famous ship pines have grown on the site of former conflagrations. The natural mixed nature of flora and fauna, alas, has been lost. Any human economic activity, even the restoration of forests, leads to a decrease in species diversity. People diligently plant those trees that they consider indigenous to these places - spruce, pine and oak, and many other species are listed in the Red Book. Another reason for the impoverishment of species diversity is sanitary cuttings. Dead trees are unique ecological niches for many species of birds, insects, fungi and grasses. Spruce and fir grow only on fairly decomposed deadwood, which diligent foresters destroy with the best of intentions.

To restore full-fledged, diversely populated forests, the authors of the study propose to plant as many different types of trees and herbs as possible, including rare and imported ones. Landings should be of different ages. In order to give growing forests a semblance of a natural structure, it is necessary to arrange artificial "windows", cutting down trees on an area of 0.1-0.3 hectares. Previously, forests were interspersed with meadows - a haven for light-loving species. To preserve these species and maintain the meadows, it is necessary to either mow hay or graze cattle there. A more natural way is the reintroduction of bison. But for the sustainable existence of the bison population, a basin of a small river with tributaries - hundreds of square kilometers - is needed. It would be nice to put beavers in this river, but first you need to determine whether they have enough food, and then carefully guard the valleys of all streams and rivers where beavers can swim. Troublesome, expensive and long, but the forests themselves will recover even longer.

4.1 Fighting forest fires

Among forest protection measures, fire fighting is of great importance. The fire completely or partially destroys the forest biocenosis. Fires cause a large crown, destroying plants, game animals, etc. The main cause of fires is the careless handling of fire by a person: unextinguished fires, burning matches, cigarette butts. A great danger for the occurrence of fires are agricultural burnings, fire cleaning of cutting areas, flames and sparks from the exhaust pipes of tractors and cars.

4.2 Protection of forests from pests and diseases

Biological pest control methods are cheap, harmless and most effective. They should be combined with other methods so that together they represent a unified forest protection system.

Conclusion

As my research has shown, the problem of deforestation on the planet is very relevant. But, unfortunately, very little action is being taken to preserve and restore them. Firstly, because a person is by nature selfish: for him only to benefit for himself without thinking about others. That's why at the last climate summit, a country like the United States did not commit itself to reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, although it emits even more than developing countries. Secondly, the extraction of forests and their cutting down to make room for pastures is the only livelihood for many developing countries that cannot afford expensive technologies for the conservation of this resource. Thirdly, the majority of the population is indifferent to forests, using them for recreation, firewood and theft of Christmas trees.

It turns out that in order to solve this problem, drastic measures are needed both within countries (from the introduction of strict laws, to the introduction of forest-saving technologies and reducing emissions of harmful substances into the environment), and at the global level (where developed countries would help developing countries and up to a compulsory level to force all countries to introduce new technologies). Otherwise, there will be no success from the attempts of individual countries to preserve our world heritage.

Bibliographic list

Ozhegov S.I. and Shvedova N.Yu. Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language: 80,000 words and expressions / Russian A.N.; Russian Cultural Foundation; 5th ed., stereotypical - M.: AZ, 2004 - 928 p.

Forest of Russia: Encyclopedia / [A.I. Akinteva and others] - M .: Bolshaya Ros. encyclopedia, 1998 .- 446 p.

Sokolsky I. Healing red forest // Science and life: journal. - 2008. - No. 2. - S. 156-160.

N.M. Chernova, V.M. Galushin, V.M. Konstantinov, "Fundamentals of Ecology Grade 9", Moscow, ed. "Enlightenment", 1998.

Stepanovskikh A.S., Environmental Protection, Moscow: "Unity", - 2000, - p.560.

Baranovsky, N.V. Integrated monitoring system for forest fires / N.V. Baranovsky, G.V. Kuznetsov // T. 3. -, 2007. - S. 102-104.

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Similar abstracts:

On the problem of depletion of forest resources in the European North of Russia.

The forests of Russia represent the ecological framework of the biosphere not only in our country, but also in the entire northern hemisphere of the planet. 22% of the forest area and 25% of the world's timber reserves belong to Russia.

Human influence on plant and animal world

Human impact on wildlife consists of direct influence and indirect changes in the natural environment.

One form of direct impact on plants and animals is deforestation.

A tangible impact on the state of the vegetation cover is exerted by mass visits to forests by vacationers and tourists. In these cases, the harmful effect consists in trampling, compacting the soil and polluting it. woody plants dry up.

Man's direct influence on the animal world consists in the extermination of species that are of food or other material benefit to him.

Of all plant resources Forests are the most important in nature and human life. Οʜᴎ suffered the most from economic activity and became the object of protection earlier than others.

Forests, incl. planted by people, occupy an area of about 40 million km 2, or about 1/3 of the land surface. The planet has 30% coniferous and 70% deciduous forests. Forests have an impact on all components of the biosphere, play a huge environmental role.

Forests are renewable Natural resources. Their rational use is based on environmental laws conservation, restoration and change of plant communities.

Tree plantations purify the air of cities and towns from dust, harmful gases, soot, and protect residents from noise. Many coniferous trees emit special substances - phytoncides that kill pathogens. The dust content on a green street is 3 times less than on a street without trees.

Wood is used in various industries National economy, it serves as a source chemical substances obtained during the processing of wood, bark, needles. The forest supplies raw materials for over 20 thousand articles and products. Almost half of the wood produced in the world is used for fuel, and a third goes to the production of building materials. Lack of wood is acutely felt in all industrialized countries. However, in recent decades great importance acquired forests of recreational and sanitary resort areas.

Forest value:

1. Purifies the air

2. Creates animal habitats

3. Protects soil from erosion

4. Delays precipitation(reduces surface runoff)

5. Creates a favorable microclimate for agricultural plants

6. Fixes the sands

7. Prevents water pollution.

Deforestation began at the dawn of human society and increased as it developed, as the need for wood and other forest products increased rapidly. Over the past 10 thousand years, 2/3 of forests have been reduced on Earth. Forests are being destroyed so quickly that the areas cleared far outweigh the areas planted with trees. To date, about half of their original area has been reduced in the forest zone.

Important rainforests are degrading and shrinking at a rate of about 26 hectares per minute, and there are fears that they will disappear in 25 years. Cut areas of wet rainforest are not restored, and in their place unproductive artisanal formations are formed, and with strong soil erosion, desertification occurs.

In connection with deforestation, the water content of rivers is reduced, lakes dry up, the level of groundwater drops, soil erosion increases, the climate becomes more arid and continental, droughts and dust storms often occur.

Causes and consequences of deforestation - concept and types. Classification and features of the category "Causes and consequences of deforestation" 2017, 2018.

5. Reducing the area of ​​​​forests on the planet

5. Reducing the area of forests on the planet