Causes of Deforestation: Deciduous Woodlands (Edexcel GCSE Geography A) : Revision Note

Causes of Deforestation in Deciduous Woodland

• Deciduous woodlands are under threat from deforestation, which has both social and economic causes

• Social causes are

  • Population growth and urbanisation place pressure on the countryside

    • The UK’s population has grown significantly over the last 60 years. Deciduous woodland is cleared for housing

  • The number of vehicles on the UK’s roads has increased significantly as the population has grown

    • More roads are required, so woodland is cleared

  • Wood is used in construction

• Economic causes are 

  • Timber extraction: trees are slow-growing and are often felled faster than can be replaced 

  • Slow-growing trees are felled and replaced by faster-growing and more profitable trees, reducing biodiversity

  • Agricultural change: increased demand puts pressure on ancient woodlands

    • Most of the land in the UK that is suitable for farming was cleared of deciduous woodland centuries ago

    • Deciduous woodland can be affected by pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed onto crops