Write short notes on four of the following: (a) deforestation (b) regeneration (c) afforestation (d) selective exploitation (e) Taungya system.
Explanation
Short Notes on: (a) Deforestation: (i) is the felling of trees for specific purposes. (ii) uncontrolled deforestation should never be encouraged. (iii) the rate of deforestation should be reduced to the nearest minimum because, it leads to adverse, effects on the soil. (iv) leads to loss of organic matter resulting in the loss of soil fertility. (v) It also leads to destruction of soil structure. (vi) It decreases soil moisture retention. (vii) increases leaching of plant nutrients. (viii) governments usually control the rate of deforestation to conserve the nation's forest species. (ix) deforestation destroys the microclimate and warms up the environment. (x) forest fauna (wildlife) are also reduced. (xi) encourages erosion. (xii) leads to desert encroachment. (xiii) depletes the supply of forest produce ( raw materials) to industry.
(b) Regeneration: (i) This has to do with a process of forest regrowth after it has been exploited. (ii) regeneration can occur either by regrowth from old stumps or deliberate natural planting of new forest seedlings in a deforested area. (iii) A delibrate government policy in the restoration of deforested area after exploitation to balance the ecosystem.
(c) Afforestation: (i) This is a process of establishing forest plantations in any area. (ii) It involves complete removal of natural vegetation before planting new forest species. (iii) It can also be done in some areas to reduce desert encroachment or wind erosion. (iv) The early stages of afforestation may include taungya farming to maximise use of land and protect seedlings. (v) provides habitat for wildlife.
(d) Selective exploitation: (i) This is the legal felling of trees based on certain criteria e.g maturity, species. (ii) It protects the soil from erosion. (iii) ensures continuous supply of timber. (iv) serves as a revenue base for the government. (v) forests are allocated to licensed sawmillers by the state forestry division. (vi) forest guards must ensure that the area is protected to forestall illegal tree felling. (vii) it is a way to concentrate certain selected species of timber in a forest reserve. (viii) undesireable species of timbers are eliminated by this method.
(e) Taungya System: (i) This involves the production of arable crops at the early stage of forest establishment. (ii) influenced by shortage of farmland near forest reserves. (iii) Decreases cost of plantation establishment. (iv) it also lead to increased food production. (v) diversified sources of income to the taungya farmer. (vi) possibility of additional nutrients being made available to the forest species.