Title
Deforestation Effect on Environment
Author
Ankit Nagarale
Kohinoor Business School ,Mumbai
FY MMS A32
Literature Review
An analysis on the economic development and deforestation(Siregar, E. S., Sentosa, S. U., & Satrianto, A.,2024)
Besieged and DELUGED(Kher, Unmesh; Gunther, Uwe, Wallace, Charles P,2002)
Deforestation alters species interactions. Natural Sciences, 3(2)( Howes, B., González‐Suárez, M., Jensen, H. J., Anjos, L. d., Develey, P. F., Hatfield, J. H., . . . Banks‐Leite, C. ,2023.)
Deforestation-induced immediate and delayed shifts in moisture recycling.( Nguyen, K., Hauser, L. T., Tuinenburg, O. A., Damm, A., & Santos, M. J. ,2025.)
Election cycles affect deforestation within brazil’s atlantic forest.( Ruggiero, P. G. C., Pfaff, A., Nichols, E., Rosa, M., & Metzger, J. P. (2021).)
EU Proposes Another Delay to Landmark Deforestation Law, (Ainger, John,2025)
Green finance and environmental debt: The influence of infrastructure in driving sustainability outcomes in OECD member countries.( Taveng, E., Idun, A. A. A., Moro, K. D., & Fumey, M. P. ,2026)
Investigating the global and regional response of drought to idealized deforestation using multiple global climate models. (Li, Y., Huang, B., Tan, C., Zhang, X., Cherubini, F., & Rust, H. W. ,2025.)
Land tenure drives Brazil’s deforestation rates across socio-environmental contexts.( Pacheco, A., & Meyer, C. ,2022.)
The forest cover and economic development nexus in india: A cointegration perspective. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1462(Malaiarasan, U., Paramasivam, R., Alli, P., Karthick, V., & Balasubramanian, M. ,2025.)
EU’s Deforestation Law Delay: Economy vs Environment
When the European Union decided to delay its deforestation law—originally planned for 2024—it sent mixed signals to the world. The law aimed to reduce tree loss caused by imports such as rubber, soybean, and beef. For many large corporations, the delay came as a relief, easing compliance pressure and cost concerns. However, for environmental groups, it felt like a setback in the fight against climate change. EU’s Deforestation Law Delay postponement raises uncomfortable questions about the EU’s seriousness and credibility in enforcing climate commitments. While the delay may help stabilize food prices and ensure smoother supply chains in the short term, it risks weakening global trust in climate action.
Europe’s Flood Tragedy: A Warning from Nature
The devastating floods in Eastern and Central Europe were not just natural disasters—they were also the result of years of environmental neglect. Industrial farming, disappearance of natural meadows, and poor land management reduced the soil’s ability to absorb rainwater. When heavy rains arrived, the land simply could not cope. Around 100 people lost their lives, nearly 1,000 were left homeless, and the damage ran into billions of dollars. In Germany, the Elbe River rose to record levels, forcing thousands to abandon their homes. The floods spared no one—not even animals—forcing zoos in Prague to evacuate as waters surged. Europe’s Flood painfully remind us that ignoring nature eventually turns into human suffering.
Brazil’s Forests: The Cost of Farming Expansion
Between 1985 and 2018, Brazil lost nearly one-fifth of its forests to agricultural expansion. Much of this conversion happened on private land, but a large share also occurred on public land without clear ownership. Brazil’s forests “no-man’s lands” proved especially vulnerable, suffering far more deforestation than areas with defined governance. While private ownership slightly reduced forest loss, the results were uneven. In contrast, forests managed by indigenous and local communities stood out as strongholds of protection. Brazil’s forests success shows that when people have a deep cultural and livelihood connection to land, forests are far more likely to survive.
How Cutting Forests Changes Climate and Rainfall
Deforestation has been most intense in areas rich with trees—tropical rainforests, temperate woods, and continental forests. Removing trees doesn’t just change landscapes; deforestation alters climate itself. In some regions, land cooled, while globally, rainfall declined—especially in the tropics. Seasonal patterns also shifted, with stronger drying during autumn and winter. Cutting Forests did not occur uniformly; each region responded differently. The findings show that deforestation reshapes droughts in complex ways over time. Policymakers are urged to promote afforestation in tropical regions to restore rainfall, while avoiding blanket solutions in dry areas. Nature, it turns out, demands tailored care—not one-size-fits-all policies.
Elections and Forests: Politics Leaves a Footprint
Deforestation is not driven by economics alone—politics plays a surprisingly strong role. During election years, leaders often focus on short-term gains rather than long-term sustainability. Enforcement may weaken, forests may be opened for exploitation, and environmental rules quietly take a back seat. Studies across thousands of municipalities show that forest loss spikes during both local and national elections. When political leaders belong to the same party, deforestation can increase even more due to coordinated decision-making. Although stronger institutions have reduced this effect over time, elections still leave a visible mark on forests, reminding us that democracy without accountability can cost nature dearly.
Amazon Rainforest: When Trees Create Rain
The Amazon is not just a forest—it is a living water machine. Nearly one-third of its rainfall comes from moisture recycled by trees themselves. Through transpiration, forests help regulate rain, humidity, and climate. But when forests are cleared, this delicate system begins to break down. Over the last 50 years, about 17% of the Amazon has vanished, pushing the region toward a dangerous tipping point. Scientists warn that continued deforestation could drastically reduce rainfall by 2050, triggering longer droughts and accelerating forest loss. Fragmentation, soil damage, and rising heat further weaken the forest’s ability to heal. The loss threatens not only trees, but the water, climate, and life systems far beyond the Amazon.
Growth Without Forests: A Risky Trade-Off
Research shows that education, health, and minerals drive economic growth far more than forests do. Strong human capital, especially good health, plays the biggest role in development. However, forests suffer when institutions are weak and resource exploitation goes unchecked. Even when economies grow, environmental damage quietly undermines sustainability. Growth Without Forests calls for better education and healthcare, stronger governance, and limits on reckless resource use. Sustainable paths such as ecotourism and renewable energy offer hope for balancing growth with environmental care.
Wildlife Relationships in a Changing Forest
Forests are not just collections of trees—they are communities of relationships. In dense forests, species often cooperate, forming mixed groups that help them survive. Surprisingly, cooperation also appears in heavily deforested areas, but mostly among tough, disturbance-adapted species that replace forest specialists. The most unstable situation occurs in partially cleared forests, where competition intensifies as old and new species struggle to coexist. Wildlife Relationships shifts weaken ecological balance. Healthy forests support cooperation and resilience, while deforestation breaks these bonds, making ecosystems fragile and unpredictable.
India’s Forests: Resilient but Under Pressure
India’s forests show remarkable resilience, with most short-term losses naturally recovering each year. Yet this resilience is being tested. Expanding agriculture, infrastructure projects, and industrial development continue to divert forest land. Shifting cultivation practices further strain forest ecosystems. Local communities, farmers, and tribal groups must be active partners in conservation. India’s future lies in combining development with care for forests, ensuring growth that does not come at the cost of nature.
Conclusion
Deforestation and environmental degradation are not isolated problems—they are deeply tied to politics, economics, and the way societies choose to grow. The EU’s delay in enforcing its deforestation law shows the tension between short‑term economic relief and long‑term climate responsibility, while Europe’s floods remind us of the heavy costs of neglecting ecosystems. In Brazil, land tenure systems reveal how governance can make forests either vulnerable or resilient, with indigenous and community‑based stewardship proving most effective. Globally, tree loss reshapes rainfall and drought patterns in complex ways, demanding policies tailored to each region. Political cycles add another layer of risk, as short‑term electoral gains often outweigh environmental priorities. The Amazon illustrates the fragility of natural systems, where deforestation disrupts moisture recycling and threatens biodiversity, climate stability, and water security. India’s experience shows that forests can be resilient, but economic and land‑use pressures remain strong, requiring thoughtful policies and community participation. Ecological studies further highlight how forest cover shapes species interactions, with intact forests fostering cooperation and resilience, while deforestation drives instability. Taken together, these insights make it clear that protecting forests is not just about conservation—it is about safeguarding climate, ecosystems, and human well‑being. Achieving this balance will require strong governance, local engagement, sustainable land use, and innovative alternatives like renewable energy and ecotourism, ensuring forests continue to sustain both people and the planet.
References
Besieged and DELUGED, by Kher, Unmesh; Gunther, Uwe, Wallace, Charles P,2002
EU Proposes Another Delay to Landmark Deforestation Law, by Ainger, John,2025
Howes, B., González‐Suárez, M., Jensen, H. J., Anjos, L. d., Develey, P. F., Hatfield, J. H., . . . Banks‐Leite, C. (2023). Deforestation alters species interactions. Natural Sciences, 3(2)
Li, Y., Huang, B., Tan, C., Zhang, X., Cherubini, F., & Rust, H. W. (2025). Investigating the global and regional response of drought to idealized deforestation using multiple global climate models. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 29(6), 1637-1658.
Malaiarasan, U., Paramasivam, R., Alli, P., Karthick, V., & Balasubramanian, M. (2025). The forest cover and economic development nexus in india: A cointegration perspective. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1462
Nguyen, K., Hauser, L. T., Tuinenburg, O. A., Damm, A., & Santos, M. J. (2025). Deforestation-induced immediate and delayed shifts in moisture recycling: Source and sink dynamics across the amazon. Environmental Research Letters, 20(10), 104014.
Pacheco, A., & Meyer, C. (2022). Land tenure drives Brazil’s deforestation rates across socio-environmental contexts. Nature Communications, 13(1)
Ruggiero, P. G. C., Pfaff, A., Nichols, E., Rosa, M., & Metzger, J. P. (2021). Election cycles affect deforestation within brazil’s atlantic forest. Conservation Letters, 14(5)
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