• Version
• Download 18
• File Size 441.06 KB
• Download

Investigating the Effects of Deforestation on Biodiversity

Dr. Raj Kumar, Assistant professor

Shanti Niketan College of Education, Fransi District Hisar

rajkumarsura20@gmail.com

Abstract

Deforestation represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, profoundly influencing global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This PhD-level systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes evidence from 154 peer-reviewed studies spanning tropical, subtropical, and temperate biomes to quantify the impacts of forest conversion on species diversity, soil microbial communities, ecosystem services, and overall ecological resilience. Drawing on a dataset of 696 paired-site observations, our analysis reveals that deforestation leads to a 30% average decline in soil organic carbon, a 23% reduction in soil nitrogen, and significant shifts in microbial diversity, with bacterial richness increasing while fungal diversity homogenizes toward pathogen dominance. These changes impair critical ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, exacerbating biodiversity loss estimated at 13.3% of global species range contractions attributable to outsourced deforestation. Case studies from the Amazon rainforest highlight localized extinctions and fragmentation effects, underscoring the urgency of mitigation. Recent data indicate that primary forest loss unrelated to fires increased by 14% between 2023 and 2024, primarily due to agricultural conversion. We propose integrated strategies including protected areas, REDD+ financing, and Indigenous-led conservation to reverse trends. Findings emphasize the interconnectedness of deforestation, biodiversity erosion, and climate instability, advocating for policy reforms to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. This work contributes a novel interactive model linking land-use change, biodiversity-ecosystem services, and human well-being, providing a framework for future research and decision-making.

Keywords: Deforestation, Biodiversity loss, Ecosystem services, Soil microbial diversity, Amazon case study, Conservation strategies