Issues Affecting Forest Regions
To access the other sheets in the Forest Regions unit, check out the See Also section.
In geography, an issue is a problem related to the use or planning and development of a territory. An issue can be environmental, economic, political, social, etc.
Every forest region in the world faces particular issues. There are certain issues that affect all forest regions, such as the coexistence of several activities in the same forest region.
The Cause
The different activities that coexist in the same forest region have different goals.
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Lots of people go to forests to:
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do sports
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hunt
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pick mushrooms
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Indigenous people go to forests to:
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hunt
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fish
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participate in traditional ceremonies
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Many Indigenous communities also live in forests because they are their ancestral lands.
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Farmers clear the forest to:
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grow various crops
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raise animals
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Logging companies go into forests to exploit the forest resources (trees).
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Mining companies clear the forest to exploit the resources underground.
A resource refers to the natural, human or economic wealth in a region.
The Problems
The coexistence of these different activities leads to many problems because these individuals and groups have different reasons for being in the forest. Activities sometimes overlap and this can cause tensions. Here are a few examples of problems that can occur.
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Certain activities cannot be practised because a sector was cleared…
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temporarily (forest exploitation)
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permanently (farming, real estate development)
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Certain activities prevent Indigenous populations from practising their traditional activities.
The Consequences
These activities can lead to several consequences for the forest region and the people living there.
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Indigenous populations can be displaced by mining on their land.
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There can be a loss of biodiversity in areas where there has been clear-cutting.
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The soil can be exposed to erosion from wind and water in areas that have been cleared for farming.
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Biodiversity refers to the diversity of species (animals, plants, bacteria, fungi and protists) and ecosystems in a given territory.
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Erosion is the deterioration of the soil under the effect of wind, rain or human activity.
The Solutions
Solutions can be put in place to reduce the impacts of the coexistence of different activities.
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Certain activities can focus on sustainable development, which ensures that everything is done to protect the forest.
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Regulations and laws can be put in place to protect Indigenous ancestral lands.
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Governments can create protected territories in order to preserve the fauna and flora, and allow for recreational activities.
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Laws can be put in place to require logging companies to reforest logging areas if natural regeneration is not enough.
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Sustainable development refers to development that respects the environment, the population and the economy with the goal of protecting future generations.
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Regeneration refers to something that renews itself, such as plants and trees growing back.
If you would like to learn more about the specific issues affecting certain forest regions in the world, check out the following case studies.
See also
Forest Regions
To access the rest of the unit, you can consult the following concept sheets below.