Common Misconception

Many people have thought that replacing the forests by small dispersed patches could evade the effects of deforestation. However, this have turned not to be accurate as more ecological studies have shown that such act of forest fragmentation would have severe effects on the ecosystem similar in their danger to those of deforestation. Eventually, there is a great need worldwide to raise awareness among people and governments that these patches and gardens near you home or near the roads can never replace the forests that have previously existed. This is a new ecological problems that require accurate legislation and educational awareness campaigns.

Forest Fragmentation

Forest fragmentation is a recent problem facing global ecology accompanying our new and more accurate understanding of how things in the ecological communities work, and the rising worldwide demand for land. “Forest fragmentation occurs when large, continuous forests are divided into smaller blocks by roads, agriculture, urbanization, or other development” (Rusak, 2002, p. 1). 

(http://www.dhushara.com/book/diversit/dforest2.jpg)

Governments have long thought that placing many green spots in cities, villages, around roads and near houses could help overcome the ecological loss resulting from removing forests for urbanization, but things turned to be not that simple. As large forests are divided into separate small patches due to different reasons (urbanization, agriculture, etc…), these patches become isolated and consequently unable to maintain the original habitat for several organisms as well as to perform the original ecological role. “Fragmentation is a complex phenomenon resulting from dynamic interactions between the natural landscape and society's ever-increasing demands on the land, creating a mosaic of natural and human-modified environments” (Tyrell, 2000).

(http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/people/harding/photo%20gallery/forest_fragmentation.jpg)

(http://www.youtube.com/v/WGWFh6vCd7I&amp)

Looking for Solution

There were recently many acts that aimed at evading this phenomenon where governments have started to consider not placing roads inside deserts but rather on borders. Also, other acts have been taken as forming ecological corridors that can connect sub-populations of certain species that inhabit patches to allow migration and the transfer of animals; thus, preventing extinction. Moreover, this issue also lead to the reconsideration of the idea of conservation that certain species cannot be conserved using small protected areas and that calls for considering larger areas for species preservation. Some governments tried to give tax incentives to landowners of forest lands who keep their land undeveloped. (Crim, 2002). All of this is accompanied by worldwide call for awareness and educational campaigns about the problem.