Biodiversity is one of the main factors that enhances the beauty of the environment. Forests are its home.

Biodiversity, not only adds beauty to the entire environment, but also plays a vital role in maintaining the life of ecological systems.

Deforestation can be defined as the destruction of forests, either on a small or large scale, for human needs such as rapidly growing agriculture, logging, urbanization, and infrastructure development caused by the rapid increase in human population.

The Amazon Rainforest, the largest in the world, spans about 6.9 million square kilometers. It contains an estimated 15,000 species of trees, 3,000 fish species in its river systems, and about 1,300 described bird species. However, about 17% of it has already been destroyed.

Such destruction results in the loss of animal habitats, and animals that cannot live outside their natural habitats become displaced and eventually die. This leads to a reduction in the number of animal species, population declines, species extinction, and the breakdown of the fundamental structure of ecosystems.

Furthermore, native species may become vulnerable to invasive species when their habitats shrink, and the most alarming result is the destabilization of ecosystems.

According to reports by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 25% of plant and animal species are currently at risk of extinction due to human activities.

Which Animals Are Most Affected by Deforestation?.

Orangutans

Native to Borneo and Sumatra, orangutans are seriously threatened due to palm oil production. As their forest habitats are cleared, they lose access to their homes and food, resulting in sharp population reductions.

Sumatran Rhinoceros

This critically endangered rhino species is endemic to Southeast Asia, with only about 30 individuals left in the wild. Like orangutans, they lose vital dense forests that provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds due to deforestation for palm oil.

Chimpanzees

Forest destruction is a major cause of habitat loss for chimpanzees, who depend on trees for food, shelter, and protection. In Western Africa, over 80% of native forests had been cleared by the 2000s for agricultural expansion. As a result, chimpanzees are forced to move closer to human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict and disease transmission.

Pygmy Sloths

Found only on Isla Escudo de Veraguas off Panama's coast, these sloths depend on mangrove forests for food and shelter. Development and logging severely reduce the island’s limited forest area, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Monarch Butterflies

Famous for their striking migration, monarchs are now listed by the IUCN as endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change.

Koalas

Koalas are heavily threatened by the loss of eucalyptus trees, which they rely on for food and shelter. Deforestation reduces their habitat, fragments populations, and leads to malnutrition and starvation.

Lemurs

Found only in Madagascar, lemurs are severely impacted by deforestation due to agriculture, logging, mining, and charcoal production. Over 3 million hectares of forest were lost between 2000 and 2016, pushing 61 species of lemurs to extinction. Habitat loss also exposes them to hunting and the pet trade.

Jaguars

The largest big cats in the Americas, jaguars are under threat due to extensive deforestation in the Amazon. Habitat loss pushes them closer to human areas where they may prey on livestock, increasing the risk of being hunted or killed.

African Elephants

Deforestation for agriculture and livestock farming is a major threat to African elephants. These large animals depend on vast areas for food, water, and breeding grounds. As their habitats become increasingly fragmented, they face significant resource shortages.

Impact of Rainforest Destruction on Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity

Sri Lanka, with a wide range of natural ecosystems, is one of Asia’s richest countries in terms of biodiversity, especially in flowering plants, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.

Several key threats to Sri Lanka’s biodiversity due to deforestation have been identified: river diversion affecting freshwater fish, habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution by organic and inorganic waste, spread of invasive plant species, and climate change.

A majority of Sri Lanka’s endemic plants and animals live in the wet and montane zones, which also have the lowest percentage of protected areas. Therefore, due to the high threat levels, it is vital to implement conservation measures outside protected zones as well.

These forests provide habitat for endangered and endemic species like the purple-faced langur and the Sri Lankan leopard. The consequences of deforestation extend beyond environmental damage and affect the nation’s environmental security and overall well-being.

However, by minimizing deforestation, we can also reduce its environmental impact. If we are to protect Sri Lanka’s species, stopping deforestation and conserving forests must be regarded as a shared responsibility for us all.

Note – B. Rajapaksha