Ecological Balance and Human Health in Forested Areas

Authors : Seçil Ayanoğlu, Melda Dölarslan, Ebru Gül

Pages : 9-14

View : 33 | Download : 18

Publication Date : 2020-10-30

Article Type : Review

Abstract :This study aims to determine the effects of environmental degradation on human health. We reviewed the related literature from environmental and medical science. The most important factors which degrade ecological balance in forested areas are forest fires, excessive and irregular grazing of the animals, obtaining materials for fuel, buildings and paper production and using the land in an unsustainable manner. Decrease of biodiversity by deforestation is a major problem in terms of human communities based on plant and animal species, the vast majority of which are living resources. As a result, CO2 is elevated, threatening human health. Along with these, lung disease increase due to air pollution, and allergic diseases are seen with climate changes. With erosion caused the loss of soil, decrease in the nutrients in the soil and in turn the damage which takes place in flora, infertile areas created with the increase in the tendency of desertification will cause natural disasters, decrease in natural plant-animal species, decrease in forest areas, hindering of husbandry, the dams being exposed to the threat of getting filled by alluvial deposits and being destroyed and all these create negative impacts on human health. In order to avoid all health problems arising from the consequences of deforestation, the factors that degrade ecological balance in forest areas should be considered holistically. The necessary actions should be taken by fulfilling the responsibilities related to the institutions and organizations belonging to the state, especially the related ministries.
Keywords : Biodiversity, deforestation, erosion, health