The threat of losing trees is evident in these 10 countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. Deforestation is a considerable threat in today’s world. With nonstop development, production and population growth, the demand for natural resources from trees continue to grow. Despite efforts to re-plant trees and create tree farms, some countries are now experiencing the effects of high deforestation. Many of us are not aware of how trees are helpful to our environment and our safety. The roots of trees help hold soil and prevent erosion and landslides, trees also help absorb water and lessen floods.
Another thing that trees also provide us is clean air and oxygen. Trees help filter the air for us and provide us with oxygen so we can breathe. You’ll notice that countries with fewer trees have more air pollution. Some of the most beautiful sights in the world are the ones created by nature. Trees help create the beauty that we enjoy today and have made the earth greener. There are some countries in the world that support and promote this preservation. As such, they’ve become The 10 Greenest Countries in the World.
The countries listed here are ranked based on how much deforestation has been done in the last 5 years. While other countries have taken steps to preserve and maintain their forests, other countries seem to continue and even increase the deforestation rate with each year. Let’s learn more as we explore these 10 countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world.
10. Laos
Deforestation Rate: 5.3%
Laos has very rich and diverse forest areas. A lot of wood there is harvested for their variety and the country contains some of the best materials that have been constantly logged. Other than wood the forests are heavily sought after for medicine and other products. Logging has been consistently high in the country since the 1980s.
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9. Portugal
Deforestation Rate: 5.6%
A lot of researchers have used Portugal to point out the negative effects of deforestation. This is because in recent years Portugal has been experiencing a high deforestation rate. Experts believe that if this continues in the next few decades, we could experience a rapid climate change and could potentially lose a lot of food and water supply.
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8. Sweden
Deforestation Rate: 6.2%
Recent environmental reports have shown the environmental health problems in European countries. One of the major criteria used for the research is the presence of trees in a span of more than a decade. Sweden showed a significant decrease in this period.
7. Finland
Deforestation Rate: 6.4%
Finland has been credited for having some of the most beautiful natural sights in the world. The country has made efforts a few years ago to protect its forest and prevent deforestation. Despite this, there are still some regions of the country that are unprotected and are left to the mercy of loggers.
6. Nicaragua
Deforestation Rate: 6.9%
The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua has been experiencing a number of ecological and environmental problems as the government does little to regulate these acts. As such, there have been increasing reports of pollution, water shortage and land disputes.
Let’s see where trees have been cut the most as we continue this list of 10 countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world.
5. Cambodia
Deforestation Rate: 7.1%
Cambodia was once one of the top 3 countries with the highest deforestation rates. The deforestation started happening during the 1970s after the Vietnam War. Post-war events brought about a high demand for trees and their products and most of the land was soon being overtaken by those wanting to take advantage of Cambodia’s natural resources.
4. Guatemala
Deforestation Rate: 8.2%
The high rate of deforestation in Guatemala has brought about devastating calamities as there are very few trees left to protect the people from heavy rainfall. There have even been incidents where the rain creates a large pool of mud that drowns and kills people. As such, any hurricane that hits the area can prove to be dangerous.
3. Indonesia
Deforestation Rate: 8.4%
Indonesia is not known for its size but is definitely one of the larger countries found in South East Asia. The past decades showed a great reduction in forested areas and most of the country’s once forested land remains barren. It is becoming an issue as there seems to be no sign of the deforestation slowing down.
2. Paraguay
Deforestation Rate: 9.6%
Paraguay has one of the most diverse and unexplored forests in the world. The wildlife is said to be diverse and logging has threatened to end any chance of scientists to get any information about these forests. The Gran Chaco is said to be one of the largest in the world and is second to the great Amazon.
1. Malaysia
Deforestation Rate: 14.4%
Since Malaysia received independence from the British, the country has relied on logging for financial stability as they had lush and numerous forests to cut trees from. Because of this production and demand was high and the consequences were only realized during the 1980s. Despite this, logging continues as the country still receives a lot of benefit from it.
