Deforestation In Haiti
Deforestation is a real threat to Haiti; its rapid occurrence has caused significant problems. In 1923 forests covered 60% of the land, in 2006 there was less than 2% of forest left. Haiti gets 77.3% of its electricity from burning fossil fuels; wood and charcoal. Its rapid population growth, poor agricultural practices and excessive wood harvesting has meant that 97% of the island is deforested with extensive soil erosion. Soil erosion has lowered the productivity of land decreasing agricultural yields, resulted in deadly landslides and damaged productive infrastructure such as dams, irrigation systems and coastal marine ecosystems. Its susceptibility to soil erosion means that 15,000 acres of topsoil are washed away each year worsening droughts
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The first biophysical factor affecting soil is its topography, 75% of the land is mountainous with more than 60% of land with a gradient greater than 20%, even without human intervention, Haiti has a natural high risk of erosion. The second biophysical factor is its soil type. There are 4 major subtypes, Udepts and Usteps that are newly formed shallow soil that can support forests and grasslands. Fluvents that are shallow and sandy and so susceptible to leaching where the rate of soil erosion exceeds the rate of soil formation and Udults that are heavily leached acidic forests and has a very low fertility requiring additional nutrients to support successful crop production. Another factor is the bimodal rainfall pattern. Haiti has a tropical climate with two annual rainy seasons; April - June and August - November. These climatic conditions cause erosion by wind during periods of moisture deficit and by water during periods of moisture surplus. The differences in soil types means that there is a limited amount of cultivable land. Soil surveys by the US Department of Agriculture in 1980 state that only 11.3% of the land is suitable for crops, 31.7% is suitable for crops but with some restriction, 2.3% mediocre due to poor drainage system but acceptable for rice cultivation and 54.7% is suitable for tree crops or pastures due to severe erosion and steep
The first biophysical factor affecting soil is its topography, 75% of the land is mountainous with more than 60% of land with a gradient greater than 20%, even without human intervention, Haiti has a natural high risk of erosion. The second biophysical factor is its soil type. There are 4 major subtypes, Udepts and Usteps that are newly formed shallow soil that can support forests and grasslands. Fluvents that are shallow and sandy and so susceptible to leaching where the rate of soil erosion exceeds the rate of soil formation and Udults that are heavily leached acidic forests and has a very low fertility requiring additional nutrients to support successful crop production. Another factor is the bimodal rainfall pattern. Haiti has a tropical climate with two annual rainy seasons; April - June and August - November. These climatic conditions cause erosion by wind during periods of moisture deficit and by water during periods of moisture surplus. The differences in soil types means that there is a limited amount of cultivable land. Soil surveys by the US Department of Agriculture in 1980 state that only 11.3% of the land is suitable for crops, 31.7% is suitable for crops but with some restriction, 2.3% mediocre due to poor drainage system but acceptable for rice cultivation and 54.7% is suitable for tree crops or pastures due to severe erosion and steep