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MISSION REPORT 8TH GRADE SCIENCE By: Hayley B. Shelby C. Autumn H. Brandon S.

As a result of a very busy schedule, this falls EarthKAM mission will consist of an investigation into how certain beings actions affect the climate of an area. For our investigation, we decided to examine:
 * How the climate of an area is affected by deforestation and resulting agricultural/urban land use.
 * How the global ecosystem is affected by deforestation and the resulting agricultural/urban land use.
 * What everyday people can do to help reduce the impact of deforestation.

There are many factors that do cause the climate of an area to change because of deforestation and urban land use. Some of the reasons are that the climate is affected by the increase levels of carbon dioxide that is released into the air. The amount of gases in the air causes a temperature increase. One of the largest factors that cause a major impact on deforestation is logging. Logging is done in agricultural areas to make room for farmland housing etc. the logging is also done to supply commercial commercialism. Logging affects the climate because of the lack of trees with the decline of trees comes the decline in temperature at night, precipitation medical and scientific opportunities and an increase of green house gases and temperature in the day. The temperature changes because there is no canopy to help block the suns rays and the lack of the suns rays at night. Like the climate of an area, the global ecosystem has multiple factors to its cause. One of the larger aspects we consider is logging. We have chosen logging again because of the many outcomes of logging. Not only does it affect climate, but also it affects animals and humans ecosystems because the lack of trees, there is habitat and cultural fragmentation. Deficiencies of trees disturb animals’ territory and can cause animals forced out of their homes to move to territory already occupied. Many people are cutting down tropical forests. Asia has the highest rates from 1960 to 1990. It is killing our chances to fight diseases such as cancer, aids, and many others. They can help by doing numerous things. They could be as simple as recycling or as big as speaking publicly about the issue and communicating with companies. Recycling could consider anything from paper and glass to large furniture and such. Did you know that 40% of all trash in land fills consists of recyclable newspapers and paper products? Recycling isn’t the only thing the public can do. When you go to purchase wood products, make sure the wood is certified. If it isn’t, the wood was harvested illegally. Finally, you could have an environment friendly house. One thing to do is to check your windows and doors make sure they are sealed tight to prevent heat and air conditioning from escaping. A second thing is to clean your air conditioner and heating unit every month they are in use. Although we can’t completely stop all the forest destruction, we can slow the process down. Never underestimate your power as an everyday person because you can make a difference.

Bibliography

WWW Page Algee, Lisa “What is Deforestation.” Online. 2005-2007 http://kids.mongabay.com/lesson_plans/lisa_algee/deforestation.html

WWW Page Butler, Rhett “Global Consequences” Online. 1994-2007 [|http://rainforest.mongabay.com/0906.htm 25 November 2007]

WWW Page “Tree Huggers” Online. 2007 No author [|http://treehuggerusa.com/save-trees/index.html 25 November 2007]

WWW Page Collins, Jocelyn “Deforestation” Online. 01 February 2001 [|http://www.bcb.uwc.ac.za/Envfacts/facts/deforestation.html 25 November 2007]