If a Tree Falls: The Global Impact of Deforestation

If a Tree Falls: The Global Impact of Deforestation is another interesting and timely title in the series, “Orca Footprints”, focused on ecological literacy. The global issue of deforestation affects every generation, making it a vital topic for young readers to understand. The “Introduction” unfolds around the author’s personal involvement in forest preservation, balanced with the realistic view of the uses we make of trees. It sets the stage to examine why forests are so valuable and how they are being threatened.

The book is presented in four chapters. The first covers definitions, types of forests, their composition (layers of growth, ages) and various functions, such as habitat for tremendous biodiversity, carbon storage, role in the water cycle, erosion and climate change mitigation, and source of medicines. Chapter Two describes how the ways we harvest trees have changed since the Industrial Revolution and the effects of this activity on the environment. The third chapter discusses ways we manage forests to enhance agriculture and how the constant increase in demand for forest products impacts the local environment, people and animals. The final chapter, “Trees for the Future”, shares some history of protests and projects aimed at changing attitudes and policies towards the uses and preservation of trees. Both print and online resources are listed, a Glossary is included and an Index is ‘to come’ in the final version.

The information is offered in small chunks of text that will aid reader comprehension of the many statistics. Comparisons help too: e.g. the 883 million acres of tree cover lost worldwide equates to an area “larger than the land area of India.” Alongside the main body of text, inserts add extra details: Tree Trivia, From the Forest Floor, other sidebars that answer questions with in-depth facts.

The final chapter that deals with ways to change attitudes and forestry practices has some fresh details that will arouse interest. The Great Green Wall involving 20 African nations planting trees across sub-Saharan Africa is one idea brought forward from the 1950s. Massive afforestation (replanting of trees) in China may help to reverse earlier clearing that led to flooding. A program of agroforesty in Peru allows livestock grazing among trees. Considering potential new food sources in rainforests, building taller structures to reduce urban sprawl and cloning ancient trees are other hopeful solutions mentioned to combat deforestation. Curious readers can investigate the organizations and programs whose websites are listed in the “Resources” to learn more.

Color photos are generally well-integrated to enhance the text. They depict young people for the most part, making them relevant to target readers. One photo on page 24 of forest cutblocks is less effective due to its small size, making clear interpretation difficult. One photo on page 22 in this Advance Reading Copy, captioned, “the black-backed woodpecker” that inhabits burnt forests, incorrectly shows a downy or hairy woodpecker.

Add this informative book on a topic of urgent concern to your collection of “Orca Footprints” titles.