POLS 326 Biodiversity loss and Deforestation

Biodiversity loss and Deforestation
October 2019

The removal of forests is a cause for the loss of diversity in nature. Forests maintain diverse organisms and landscapes. They are a habitat for wildlife. Forest help to prevent erosion. Forest filter large amounts of water and air. And forest provide food, medicine, and resources for humanity. With the removal of forest we take away whole ecosystems. Many wildlife, plants, and organisms  depend on forests for survival. Many indigenous people groups also depend on forests to maintain their lifestyle and culture. When deforestation occurs wildlife, plants, and indigenous tribes lose their shared and very complex habitats. This loss of complexity and shared environments sometimes are not able to recover when deforestation happens making the ecosystem less diverse. For a rich complex ecosystem to exist there must be biodiversity. This biodiversity helps all of nature to thrive. Deforestation has a direct connection to the lost of biodiversity in our ecosystems.  

In “Thinking like a Mountain” by Aldo Leopold we are introduced to the idea of a biotic community though his experience of watching a wolf die. Though this experience he reflects on the idea of the ecosystem having mutually interconnected and interdependent parts. To lose one part would have negative consequences to the whole. His reflection is key to understanding that each part of the ecological system (including humans) have direct effects upon one another that can be helpful or destructive. Humanity has been a major contributor to the destruction of ecological systems though deforestation. Humanity has created imbalance within our ecosystems. Humanity has not been a friendly neighbor to our plants, animals, and landscapes. With the perspective from “Thinking like a Mountain” humanity is challenged to be sensitive to the complex interconnectedness of natures ecosystems.

Another movement called “Ecofeminism” calls humanity to draw on the concept of gender to analyze the relationships between humans and the natural world. There is a principle based on the feminine qualities to nurture and enhance the quality of life for all. Patriarchal hierarchy has dominated decision making in the west. Ecofeminism emphasizes that both woman and nature should be respected. Both masculine and feminine qualities should be balanced. Harmony and sustainability should replace anthropocentrism and destruction of our ecosystems. In ecofeminism, nature and women produce life and bring balance to masculine. Ecofeminism is challenging the status quo of the patriarchy in environmental issues by being a voice like a mother protecting her children from predators. 

Industries today should be made conscious of the idea that we are all part of this universal ecological system. The injustice done to our environment has been overlooked for the profit of humanity. Deforestation is not just about trees, but about everything that it contains. This universal ecological system is a part of our human history therefore should be treated with great reverence. Each part of the bio-system could be related to different parts of our human body. One would not say to oneself that they donʻt need a certain part of the body. With the perspective of “Ecofeminism” and ideas of “Thinking like a Mountain” we should be treating our environment not as something to benefit from, but as a child or infant that is needing to be cared for, loved and understood. To nurture, make sacrifices for, and strengthen as we would our own bodies. 

With this mindset motivation to restore and sustain our forests so that it can continue to be environments of biodiversity and growth come naturally. The kind of ancient wisdom and modern science ecology become tools humanity can use to be an advocate for planet earth and her ability to restore and heal. Resources can be allocated to reforestation and education. Policies can aide to the health and healing of the planet. Humanity can regain consciousness of their part in the whole. 

 Leopold, Aldo Thinking Like a Mountain

Vandana Shiva, Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development (London: Zed Books, 1989).