Why are forests affected by wars?

Effects of Wars on Forests:
1. Direct Damage: Forests can be directly targeted during wars, leading to destruction from bombings, artillery fire, and defoliation campaigns.
2. Resource Exploitation: Increased wartime demands often result in forest exploitation for timber, fuelwood, and resources, causing deforestation and overexploitation.
3. Displacement and Refugees: Wars cause mass displacement, leading refugees to rely on forests for shelter and resources, increasing pressure and degradation.
4. Indirect Impacts: Lack of governance during wars leads to illegal logging and unsustainable resource extraction, further degrading forests.
5. Economic Impact: Disruption of local economies dependent on forests can lead to increased degradation as people resort to unsustainable practices.
6. Long-term Consequences: Ecological impacts can persist for years, impacting biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem services.

Wars have devastating effects on forests, causing immediate and long-term ecological, social, and economic consequences, leading to degradation, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.