FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE

BACHELOR OF CHEMISTRY WITH MANAGEMENT (HONS.)

(RAS2227A)

CHM 576
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY:
(DEFORESTATION DUE TO INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION)

PREPARED FOR:
DR RAZIF BIN MUHAMMED NORDIN

PREPARED BY:
NAME STUDENT ID CLASS

NUR NABILA BINTI HALIPAH 2018659872 RAS2227A

NURUL HUSNA BINTI AHMAD JEFFRY 2018249218 RAS2227A

NURUL SYAZIAH BINTI ABD KHODIR 2018260126 RAS2227A

 CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

1.0 WHAT IS DEFORESTATION 3

2.0 EFFECT OF DEFORESTATION 4

2.1 THE GOOD OF DEFORESTATION 5

2.1.1 More usable room for communities to be build
2.1.2 Generate more revenue
2.1.3 Allows industrialization
2.1.4 Can be source of materials
2.1.5 Help those in poverty

2.2 THE BAD OF DEFORESTATION 7

2.2.1 Flooding, soil erosion and droughts
2.2.2 Landslides
2.2.3 Increasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in the atmosphere
2.3.4 Loss of habitat caused extinction of wildlifes
2.3.5 Frequency of pandemics

3.0 WAYS TO OVERCOME DEFORESTATION 9

3.1 Recycle items (Green Business)
3.2 Keep eye on protected areas
3.3 Law and Regulations
3.4 Together work on forest planting
3.5 Educative campaigns

4.0 CONCLUSION 12

5.0 REFERENCES 13

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 INTRODUCTION
1.0 What is deforestation?

According to Sarah Derouin, deforestation is permanent removal of trees to make room

for something besides forest especially for infrastructure expansion. While, about 30%

of the Earth’s land surface covered by forest which it provides 13.4 million people with

jobs in forest sector and rely on them for food, shelter, fuel, and medicine. Nowadays,

forests around the world are under assault which they are burning and disappearing. As

we know, Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia that made up of Peninsular Malaysia

and Eastern Malaysia. Nearly 63 percent of Malaysia is forest and commercial tree

crops, rubber and oil palm which equivalent to the whole UK.

About 2000 years ago, deforestation has greatly altered landscape around the world and

now just over 20 percent of it is forested. Meanwhile in Malaysia, an estimated 18

percent of Malaysia’s forest is virgin forest. Today, greatest amount of deforestation is

occurring by extensive road construction, building, or upgrading roads into forests to

make them accessible.

Recent studies show that rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing about 85 percent

between 1990-2000 and 2000-2005. However, there are some threats to forest which

logging, energy, mining, commercial plantations, resettlement, fires and infrastructure

expansion that can cause environmental issue.

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 DISCUSSION

2.0 Effect of Deforestation

The effect of the deforestation that most dangerous is loss of animal and plant species

because of the habitat. However, trees help to control flooding with their roots hold soil

firm in heavy rains and absorbs some of the rain but their absence can cause disastrous

floods. For example, what happen in Klang, Setia Alam, Bukit Raja and all the cities

around Selangor. Then, the forest provides a shelter for some species then regulate the

temperature. When human destroy their habitat or home, animals seek the shelter

surrounding or near their places. Animal migration may be chaos to human which not

only unnatural but dangerous. This is because animal can spread pathogens to humans

which can lead to dangerous diseases known as zoonotic disease. For example, zoonotic

disease already spread among the humans which malaria that spread by mosquitos.

Study have been shown that deforestation is associated with increased malaria

prevalence. Moreover, there are some studies that have hypothesized causes COVID-

19, SARS-CoV2 that jumped from animals to humans. Our immune systems cant

handles these new infectious that grow into a global pandemic. If we want to avoid

future pandemics, we must protect habitats from deforestation. Then, the loss of the

habitat may increase greenhouse gases that released into the atmosphere. Deforested

areas lose that ability and may release more carbon which the healthy forest must absorb

carbon dioxide from atmosphere. Removing trees on big scale through deforestation

which would drop about 10 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

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2.1 The Good Effects of Deforestation

2.1.1 More usable room for communities to be build

Throughout many situations, trees are cleared to make way for city planning.

Housing, highways, and commercial space can be expanding with these areas

freed up, contributing the local economies. Due to the expanding population,

usable land is hard to obtain. Deforestation is one of our only options for feeding

our expanding population.

2.1.2 Generate more revenue

Land clearing in areas where there are few job opportunities. People who live

in rural places are frequently under-educated and under-trained. Logging jobs

and potential mining jobs added by cutting forest can provide these people with

high-paying positions. Even an increase in agriculture may result in the creation

of new farming jobs in the area. These new jobs and commercial ventures also

result in increased tax revenues, which can be used to fund social services and

other government initiatives.

2.1.3 Allows industrialization

When we think about it, large areas of forest around the world are left unused,

that also could perhaps be turned into much more useful land - based activities,

that could help sustain hundreds or even thousands of starving people. Several

of these picturesque land areas may be used to build better structures which will

support wages rise, thereby helping all of the people who live in them

financially.

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2.1.4 Can be source of materials

Most of the forest are all being taken down in order to make lumber and other

wood products. They could be used to make some good paper and several other

essential items, from the saps to the plants. It is possible to use the land for

agricultural purposes. Given the products of deforestation, it can undoubtedly

provide economic benefits, both regional and local in many cases. Timber and

paper are created for the entire world to enjoy, and even some of the toilet tissue

often used in households did come from deforestation.

2.1.5 Help those in poverty

Among the most underappreciated benefits of deforestation is its impact on

impoverished populations. Poor farmers can sell charcoal and lumber in times

of need, or even clear more land for agriculture. To supplement their earnings,

they can clear land and raise livestock.

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2.2 The Bad Effects of Deforestation

2.2.1 Flooding, soil erosion and droughts

Once the forest chopped down, the flow of water is interrupted, and the soil's

ability to retain water is diminished. The trees and plants absorbed large amount

of water with the help of their roots, now that it is gone, flooding and drought

will happen. The loss of trees which anchor the soil with their roots caused the

land exposed to water. The soil erosion will lead to water pollution. It is

dangerous to human as well.

2.2.2 Landslides

With the expansion of the infrastructure and agriculture, the landslides are more

likely to be increasing by years. The climate changes in Asia and sudden

extreme rainfall had caused landslides. Deforestation and the destruction of

natural water tunnels ended up causing irreparable harm to the upper soil layers

on high mountains, resulting in landslides in hilly areas. Forests and trees have

a role and act as a barrier to avoid landslides. Due to the reckless forest cutting,

we have lost the barrier to protect us from dangerous.

2.2.3 Increasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in the atmosphere

Photosynthesis does not happen as the plants been cutting out. Photosynthesis

is the process where the plants make their own food by absorbing carbon dioxide

gas (CO2), sunlight and water and released the oxygen gas (O2). The CO2

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 concentration will be increasing and causes global warming. The atmosphere

also will have a little oxygen.

2.2.4 Loss of habitat caused extinction of wildlife

Because of the enormous forest clearing, the animal has lost their habitat. They

were also being forced to move to other places. Because of the habitat

disturbance, it caused animal extinction. Deforestation also reduced the food

availability and caused the animals lose their food sources and finally will lose

their lives.

2.2.5 Frequency of pandemics

As humans and animals closer, the disease from animals transfer to human

easily. SARS, Ebola, and now SARS-CoV-2 are extremely contagious viruses

have sparked a global fear and confusion since 2002, and all three have spread

to humans from wild animals living in thick forest areas.

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3.0 Ways of Deforestation

Deforestation can occur because of giving permission to access protected land for

infrastructure expansion such as road construction purpose. Road expansions

frequently result in logging and illegal logging, in which they cut down trees without

the approval of authorities. Many road segments' plans do not consider as the unique

environmental values and changes in the economy. Many road segments only provide

minor benefit, but it can cause major risks. Therefore, these are some of the ways to

prevent deforestation occur due to infrastructure expansion:

3.1 Recycle items (Green Business)

Deforestation can be reduced significantly by using green quality and

consumption management methods. It's the emphasis on reusing items, reducing

synthetic materials, and recycling more items. Forests and other natural

resources are being depleted due to the use of paper, plastics, and wood for

economic purpose. There will be less reliance on land and resources and trees

if people focus on recycling paper, plastics, and wood products. It will also

reduce raw-material imports from other forest regions around the world by

governments and businesses.

3.2 Keep eye on protected areas

Most protected forests areas are forbidden in cutting trees because it can cause

danger such as big flood or soil erosion in some areas. Any planned

regarding road expansion or building that affected protected forests, habitats

or wildlife species, should be rejected. Forest remote access will be impacted,

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 and deforestation boundaries will occur because road or building construction

will go through inside forest areas and wildlife protected areas. These should be

known as serious environmental issues since it will be affected to settlement

areas and harm to people. Widen new protected lands along road routes are all

strongly recommended. People should concentrate their money on improving

and maintaining the existing roads rather than building new ones.

3.3 Law and Regulations

Laws and regulations at governmental and organisational levels are playing

important roles when the effort to stop the human activities and forest

destruction still going on. Even though some people are mindful of the effect

of deforestation, some of them prioritise economic profits which

only gains benefit in a short period over long term environmental damage.

Thus, to stop deforestation and protect natural vegetation, organisations and

governments need to formulate rules, laws and regulations to help implement

forest protection policies. In order to limit deforestation, laws on trees, wood

fuel, agriculture and land use, and other forest resources must be enacted and

implemented. For example, the logging guidelines of Papua New Guinea stated

that missing links and projected on road segments known occur at >30 degrees

slope in forest areas should be cancelled or reduced, which prohibits logging of

such steep slopes. Such roads will have extremely high construction and

maintenance costs, as well as significant environmental risks for local and

downstream ecosystems, as well as landowners. (Alamgir et al, 2019).

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3.4 Together work on forest planting

Local communities, in collaboration with their local government and other

nearby associations such as schools, corporations, and universities, need to start

localised tree planting programmes and manage their local forests through

community forestry. Concerned local citizens can raise mindfulness and plant

trees on various occasions such as public holidays, opening ceremonies,

environmental days, and other periodic localised activities. This can be done in

the surrounding areas to improve green environment and ensure the viability of

local forests. As a means of addressing the deforestation threat, all local

educational institutions, hospitals, local government headquarters, and the rest

of the community can ensure that trees are planted and local forests are protected

from damage.

3.5 Educative campaigns

These conservation forest, habitat, and nature protection

agencies, environmental programmes, can band together with the goal of

preserving, and protecting forests to ensure the world's natural resources

have long-term sustainability. It is easier to put in place proper sustainable

forestry systems when such large organisations work together. When

environmental conservation and protection groups work together, they can have

a much impact. The fastest and most workable solution to deforestation is the

development of appropriate land use planning techniques. Deforestation can be

significantly reduced if land use planning focuses on environmentally friendly

development techniques.

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 CONCLUSION

Deforestation has become a major global environmental issue. Thousands of trees are taken

down every day for the purpose of using the wood for fuel, building materials, and paper

products. As the world's population grows, the demand for agricultural land increased. When

a lot of trees are cut down, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rises, raising the

earth's temperature. Soil erosion has increased as a result of deforestation, which can result in

abnormal floods and droughts. Forest clearing can disrupt normal water flow, resulting in

unusual floods and droughts. Due to rising demand and high mineral prices, the impact of

mining on tropical forests is becoming more prominent. Mining operations are frequently

accompanied by major infrastructure projects such as roads, railway lines, power plants,

placing additional burden on forests and freshwater ecosystems. To address the issue of

deforestation, a number of strategies are needed, including the creation of a global protected

area to protect forest biodiversity and the genuine implementation of good practise guidelines

for the use of forest resources. Finally, policy reform and a shift in judgement' attitudes are

required to ensure that forests are properly valued economically.

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 REFERENCES

Alamgir, M., Sloan, S., Campbell, M. J., Engert, J., Kiele, R., Porolak, G., Mutton, T., Brenier,

A., Ibisch, P. L., & Laurance, W. F. (2019, July 24). Infrastructure expansion challenges

sustainable development in Papua New Guinea. PLOS ONE, 14(7), e0219408.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219408

Behrens, A. (2021, March 6). Positive and Negative Impacts of Deforestation - Pros and Cons.

Positive Negative Impact. https://positivenegativeimpact.com/deforestation

Curley, J. (2019, March 2). How Does Deforestation Affect the Air? Sciencing.

https://sciencing.com/deforestation-affect-air-10632.html

Derouin, S. (2019, November 6). Deforestation: Facts, causes & effects. LiveScience.

Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.livescience.com/27692-

deforestation.html

F. (2017, January 14). 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Important Deforestation.

FutureofWorking.Com.https://futureofworking.com/16-advantages-anddisadvantages-

of-important-deforestation/

Ghazoul, J. (2013). Deforestation and Land Clearing. Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, 447–456.

https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-384719-5.00281-1

Miller, B. (2019, December 16). 17 Important Pros and Cons of Deforestation. Green Garage.

https://greengarageblog.org/17-important-pros-and-cons-of-deforestation

Pimm, S. L. (2020, March 24). Deforestation. Encyclopaedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/deforestation

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youmatter. (2020, May 13). What Is Deforestation? Definition, Causes, Effects and Solutions

to Stop it. https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-what-is-definition-

deforestation-causes-effects/

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